New Planning Commission to be installed
Tuesday’s meeting of the Planning Commission will include three new members who were appointed earlier this month. John Mazza, appointed by Councilmember Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner, former Mayor Jeff Jennings, appointed by Councilmember John Sibert, and Ed Gillespie, appointed by Councilmember Sharon Barovsky, will be installed at the beginning of the meeting. Prior to their installation, outgoing Commissioners Les Moss and Carol Randall will make their closing remarks.
Former Mayor Joan House and Regan Schaar remain on the Planning Commission as appointees of Mayor Pro Tem Andy Stern and Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich, respectively.
Political observers are anticipating inevitable conflicts on the new commission because of political rivals Mazza and Jennings. The two are usually in disagreement on development issues. Wagner told The Malibu Times the day after the appointments were announced, “That will be the best ticket in town.”
In 2004, when Mazza and Jennings ran against each other in the City Council election, Mazza referred to Jennings as a “radical property rights advocate,” and Jennings said Mazza had “[never] put forth any plan for dealing with Malibu’s problems” and his only participation in local politics was “to oppose any proposed solution.”
Mazza has attended nearly every Planning Commission and City Council meeting for several years, and he usually speaks during the public comment period in opposition to proposed projects. This has several times led to heated battles between he and city officials, including a near physical altercation with Environmental and Community Development Director Vic Peterson following a City Council meeting in 2006. Mazza told The Times following his appointment that he is capable of being “fair and balanced” on the commission.
The agenda on Tuesday includes a proposal to ban medical marijuana dispensaries. For more on that issue, see the story on page A1. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Michael Chiklis hosts fundraiser
“The Shield” actor Michael Chiklis will host the 15th anniversary of The Children’s Lifesaving Foundation on Sunday at Dr. Frank Ryan’s Bony Pony Ranch. The CLF is a nonprofit organization that helps at-risk and homeless children and their parents by providing comprehensive child and family services.
The celebration fundraiser will include a barbecue by Monrose Catering, pony rides and games, and Western dancing. The fundraiser takes place between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday at 12555 Yerba Buena Rd. in Malibu. More information and reservations can be obtained by calling 310.450.3701.
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month
The state Legislature proclaimed May 2008 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month. In the resolution, Sen. Jack Scott (D-Pasadena) called Lyme disease “an often-misunderstood illness that can cause serious health problems if not caught early and properly treated.”
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by ticks. Nymphal, or immature, ticks can be found in low, moist vegetation such as leaf litter and oak tree trunks, and are as small as poppy seeds. Adult ticks are often found on the tips of grasses and shrubs. Both can transmit the disease.
“There’s a misperception that Lyme disease is rare or nonexistent in California,” said Malibu resident Barbara Barsocchini, vice president of the California Lyme Disease Association, or CALDA. “In fact, Lyme-infected ticks have been found throughout California, including right here in the Malibu area. Anyone who spends time outdoors is at risk. People need to learn how to protect themselves and their children.”
Barsocchini called Lyme disease a complex, multisystem illness. Early signs of infection may include rash and flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, headaches and fatigue. As it progresses, Lyme disease can invade multiple organs of the body, including the brain and nervous system. In those instances, patients can become increasingly disabled over time, suffering chronic pain, neurological impairment and a host of other serious symptoms.
The new Web site www.lymedisease.org contains information about ticks, Lyme disease and prevention in English and Spanish. There are also brochures and maps available for downloading, links to scientific research, contact information for Lyme disease patient support groups and information about the quarterly journal, the “Lyme Times.”
-Jonathan Friedman