The Malibu Times sent a questionnaire to all seven Malibu City Council candidates. Each was limited to 75 words per answer. One profile will be printed each week until March 29. Election day is April 10.
Name: John W. Sibert
Birth date: 04/29/1937
How long have you lived in Malibu? Since October 1985
What is your education and employment history?
I have a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science and a PhD in chemistry. I have been a professor and administrator at Yale, Caltech and the CSU system. I started and ran the $100 million Alaska Science and Technology Foundation and developed technology-based economic policy strategy for a number of states. I am also an active consultant to a number of entities, including NASA.
Why are you running for city council?
I feel it is important to give back to the community that has given me so much. That is why I was a co-founder of Save the Coast, which fought the county?s plan to sewer Malibu and make it a hotel-ridden visitor destination. At this stage in my careers I want to insure that we provide the needed amenities the community wants and deserves, protect our unique environment, ensure our public health and safety, and maintain sound fiscal discipline.
What makes you qualified to be on the city council?
My science background provides an important and complimentary set of tools to address many of the problems the city faces, ranging from the environment to public safety to quality of life. I have had extensive experience with government policy, including five years on the Malibu Planning Commission, as well as with the National Governors Association and seven states as an authority on sustainable economic development. I also have extensive experience with private sector financing and business development. These experiences have aided me in working cooperatively with outside agencies like the California Coastal Commission and the Natural Resources Agencies.
What, in your opinion, are the most important issues facing the city at this time?
The council faces a continuing variety of problems that one has to evaluate and solve. Right now these are Malibu Lagoon project; the septic ban; the design of a wastewater treatment plant in the Civic Center; the view ordinance and the preservation of our community-serving businesses. These are all important to various groups in Malibu and will have to be dealt with by the current and next council. However, these issues need to be addressed with a thorough understanding of the facts, the possible unintended consequences and the cost to the city.
What is your opinion of the Malibu Lagoon Restoration Project? Do you think it is a good idea or a bad idea?
The Lagoon Project is a State Parks project, not a city project. The city has no authority over it. When the City Council first heard this project, there was considerable scientific evidence that the lagoon was sick. The opponents, while vocal, did not present the same level of evidence. There have been many assertions made on both sides. I asked for a review of all the current data from both sides to separate fact from fiction. If the parties quickly agree on an impartial scientific reviewer, that could be completed before the election.
What is your opinion of the city?s agreement with the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Board to build a centralized wastewater treatment facility (i.e., sewage treatment) for Civic Center businesses by 2015, and another one for central Malibu homes by 2019?
I testified at many public hearings before the Regional and State Water Boards against their septic prohibition in the Civic Center area. Following those hearings, I helped negotiate a smaller and less intrusive project. Unfortunately, we have not prevailed over the agency?s dogma that Malibu needs sewers! The Water Board?s edict is currently being challenged. But in the end, citizens will get to vote on any assessment district, and should they vote no, we will all be back for another round of negotiations. If that should be the case, I feel I would have credibility at the negotiating table.
Are you in favor of a city ordinance that would require shopping centers to preserve a certain amount of space for local ?mom and pop? businesses or for services such as cleaners that are geared toward residents rather than visitors? Or do you think that government involvement in business is counterproductive and that a ?shop local? campaign or some other measure would be more effective?
I am a free market advocate and have taught courses on government?s role in the economy. I have been working with both sides to try to reach a consensus on what we can do to sustain community-serving businesses. We held a facilitated workshop with 100 citizens and business owners/landlords to try to find common ground. I understand the concerns and look forward to hearing this at the March 26 council meeting [Editor?s note: this questionnaire was submitted prior to Monday?s meeting]. It would be unethical for me to take a position prior to that public hearing. We might all remember Thoreau cautioned: ?That government is best which governs least.?