January killing brings accused’s second murder charge

A former inmate/resident of Camp Kilpatrick, a juvenile detention and rehabilitation center located in Malibu, is now charged with murder — for the second time. 

Denmonne Lee, now 22, was arrested in April and charged as an accomplice in the January murder of 28-year-old Eric Ruffins near Compton. In both cases, Lee was not charged as the shooter of the victims, but is accused of supplying the weapon in the first case and aiding and abetting in the latest.

Lee entered the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles County in 2018 at age 16. He helped plan a gas station robbery in Lancaster where he knew the victim, former Marine John Ruh. But the robbery didn’t go as planned. Lee created a distraction asking Ruh for a cigarette so his accomplice could brandish a gun and force Ruh to empty the cash register. Instead, the accomplice, Deonta “Fatboy” Johnson, shot the former Marine three times, killing him. According to court testimony and detectives, Lee, who provided the weapon, walked away from the murder smiling and told his girlfriend his gun “had a body on it.”

After Lee was arrested for murder, it took two years for his case to wind through the courts. 

The attorney for Ruh’s widow wanted Lee’s case tried in adult court, citing that Lee obtained a cellphone in juvenile custody and used the phone to threaten to shoot his ex-girlfriend. But the case under Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon was tried in juvenile court. The DA’s office said Lee was not the shooter and had no previous record of violence. Standards to try juveniles as adults in California were raised in 2022. Prosecutors must now prove “by clear and convincing evidence” that youths cannot be rehabilitated in a juvenile detention facility. 

Lee was convicted as a juvenile and sent to the Barry J. Nidorfdetention center in Sylmar. That center was deemed unfit by state regulators and others who called its living conditions “wretched.” Still, Lee was said to have done well in the high-security compound. 

Last year, he was transferred to Camp Kilpatrick, considered a less restrictive step-down facility. Camp Kilpatrick is said to house lower-risk offenders in a more therapeutic rather than punitive setting. Its population is roughly 50 inmate/residents. But two years ago, the LA County Board of Supervisors was tasked with closing the Sylmar facility and transferring hundreds of violent offenders to Kilpatrick. The Las Virgenes-Malibu Council of Governments (LVMCOG) unanimously opposed the county’s plan. The transfer of the first 150 inmates to Malibu was eventually scrapped when required security upgrades, additional bunks, and other logistics weren’t met.

After living a few months at Camp Kilpatrick, Lee was eventually released to a halfway house in Los Angeles. At the time, Ruh’s widow supported that decision. Lee had served five years. Until recently, he even had a part-time job and was taking community college courses. But, Lee was arrested again as an accomplice in the Ruffins murder.

Ruh’s widow, Michelle Brace, and others are now questioning Gascon’s policies and claim if Lee had been tried as an adult, he would not have had the freedom to commit another crime.

Malibu City Council member Paul Grisanti is now the Malibu representative on the LVMCOG. Grisanti was against housing violent offenders in Malibu then and now. 

“The City of Malibu and the COG, or Council of Governments, has been consistent in opposing the use of low-security Campus Kilpatrick to house inmates convicted of violent crimes,” he said. “Our county’s experiment with ‘justice’ that undercharges violent crimes and releases perpetrators back onto the street where they victimize those they come in contact with, is a failure. I’m hoping that the voters of Los Angeles County will support our law enforcement and elect a new district attorney in November, who will protect the hard-working residents of LA County.”

There are many other opinions however, including in law enforcement, about the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. Theories often claim the human brain is not fully formed until age 25 so rehabilitation would be effective in youth offenders. Proponents of rehabilitation over punishment claim rehabilitation promotes long-term behavioral change, reduces recidivism, addresses underlying causes, is a more humane approach, has economic benefits, and enhances public safety.

Brace has second thoughts and is quoted as saying, “Denmonne, you were given a gift and you squandered that gift.”

Grisanti questioned, “When did law and order become so unpopular?”

City Council submits a letter to MRCA on non-permitted Winding Way Pavement, calls it public safety impact zone

Malibu/Lost Hills Sgt. Chris Soderlund had multiple news to provide at the City Council meeting on Monday, June 24. For the first heatwave of the year, Soderlund said Malibu saw an influx in visitors heading to the beach and hikers being rescued by the Malibu Search and Rescue team.

On Sunday, June 23, Malibu Search & Rescue had the team’s busiest afternoon with four successive rescues between 3 and 7 p.m. Malibu Search & Rescue, LA County Fire Department and California State Parks teamed up to rescue four patients. With the temperature hitting almost 100 degrees in the area, heat-related rescues were prevalent. Several of the hikers said they thought they were prepared. MalibuSAR cautions everyone that it’s extremely difficult for the typical hiker to prepare to hike in such high temps. 

“Good reminder to hydrate, I know we’re not used to the heat so when the heat happens, you need to hydrate a prepare,” Soderlund said. 

To read more about the rescues, visit page A6. 

Soderlund said LA County saw over 1.6 million people visiting the beaches this past weekend. LA County lifeguards did 380 ocean rescues and provided medical aid to 436 people and 27,000 preventative actions.

“We were out there helping them along Malibu’s beaches, so it was a very, very busy weekend,” Soderlund said. 

Soderlund showed a photo of the traffic and said it took about 45 minutes to get to Kanan Road from Westward Beach Road this past weekend as well.

“We had traffic deputies out there to keep the traffic flowing, except there was an exceptionally large amount of cars this weekend,” he said. “Fortunately there were no major accidents, so I am thankful for that.”

Soderlund also thanked the council for their support on the speed cameras. 

“I want to say thank you for beating the drum and voicing your opinion, so we got it done — so keep on moving,” he said. 

Soderlund also reminded the community about the event on Thursday.

The city will be hosting a “Cruise Malibu — Surf, Sand, Slow” campaign to raise awareness and change driver behavior on Thursday, June 27, at 5 p.m. The community picnic-style event will feature a panel discussion led by community members with a Q&A, a presentation of the city’s new “Cruise Malibu — Surf, Sand, Slow” music video and campaign materials, and a call for volunteers to join the PCH safety effort. 

After Soderlund’s report, the council addressed the Escondido Fails Trail paving project on Winding Way MRCA is operating. The city released a statement to the community on Monday before the meeting. 

“This is to inform you that the LA County Waterworks District 29 (WWD29) is currently conducting paving work (slurry sealing) on Winding Way East in Malibu today, June 24,” the statement says. “The majority of the work on Winding Way East is expected to be completed by the end of today. However, the driveway entrances and the entrance to the Escondido Falls Trailhead parking lot at Winding Way and PCH will be finished next week.

“Additionally, the city has coordinated with the Mountains Resource and Conservation Authority (MRCA) to close the Escondido Falls Trailhead parking lot on Tuesday, June 25, if necessary, to accommodate the work. WWD29 will continue slurry sealing on Winding WayWest and Murphy Way on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 25 and 26. This will include sealing driveway entrances.”

Interim City Attorney Trevor Rusin provided a statement at the meeting.

“This is an area where, given the number of visitors and traffic the city sees on Winding Way, directing them to this area where there is no infrastructure or parking lot — is very irresponsible and not safe,” he said. “It appears that MRCA’s action does constitute development, the coastal zone does require a CUP, and that has not been applied for or obtained by the MRCA.”

Rusin said they had submitted the letter to MRCA and have been documenting the project, and had involved law enforcement due to public safety impacts. 

Rusin said there was no coastal development permit.

“[We’re] encouraging [them] to work with the city, proactively and cooperatively rather than springing things, and coming to the city and creating situations where frankly, a number of impacts and unforeseen impacts can happen,” Rusin said. 

As for submitting the letter, Mayor Steve Uhring asked how this letter will help with the situation.

“This is the way the process starts, in order for us to see change in this area, or any area, is by reaching out, communicating, and putting people on a notice,” he said. 

For council reports, Councilmember Bruce Silverstein read a letter written by Assistant Planning Director Adrian Fernandez. 

Both Councilmember Paul Grisanti and Rusin said the letter shouldn’t be addressed, but Uhring said it’s a public letter and should be read. 

“In a cover email he wrote, ‘Dear councilmembers, please read the attached letter. In this letter I bring to light the abuse and dysfuctioning experience by planning staff and root caused of it, my hope is that you will bring a positive change to all of this,’ signed by Adrian Fernandez,” Silverstein said. 

Silverstein said Fernandez has experienced death threats, public attacks, and private verbal abuse from many sides. 

“I can empathize with Mr. Fernandez; no one should have to suffer that,” Silverstein said. 

Uhring said this had been the second letter they have received and wants to get this issue resolved.

Rusin said they will have a meeting the following day, and will give an update report to City Council.

Mayor Pro Tem Doug Stewart also hopes to get this resolved but said, “I wish we weren’t doing this in public, but we are.”

In his report, Stewart also mentioned the recent passing of SB 1297 and thanked everyone for their diligent work on the efforts to bring speeding cameras to Malibu.

The council approved the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Wastewater Service Charges and Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 with a friendly amendment for the new department. 

The council motioned to approve Zoning Text Amendment No. 16-005 and Local Coastal Program Amendment No. 16-007 and modify section 3. Amendments to Chapter 12.02 (Wireless Facilities in Public Right-of-Way) and Chapter 17.46 (Wireless Telecommunications Antennas and Facilities) of the Malibu Municipal Code, and Sections 2.2 and 3.16, Chapter 13 and Appendix 1 (Table B Permitted Uses) of the Local Coastal Program Local Implementation Plan to modify regulations, procedures, and application requirements for the installation of wireless communications facilities.

The council adopted Resolution Establishing Criteria for Declaring a Local Emergency During Periods of High Fire Risk. Public Safety Director Susan Dueñas provided the report. 

The next City Council meeting is on July 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Vigneron was also featured in Selena Gomez’s restaurant show

Malibu’s Chef Marcel Vigneron has earned his place as winner of Food Network’s “24 in 24,” a literal 24-hour-long competition split into eight episodes. 

In the show, each episode provides a different challenge. The first three-hour shift tests the contestants’ speed. By the end of shift four, the remaining chefs will have been cooking for 12 consecutive hours. The next episodes gave the chefs an intense culinary journey and tested their skills under pressure and on a time crunch.

Vigneron, the executive chef and owner of WOLF, has also earned a prestigious spot on Los Angeles Magazine’s Best New Restaurant list.

“I’d never actually done a competition like this one before,” Vigneron said. “I’ve competed, in the past on ‘Top Chef,’ ‘Iron Chef,’ ‘Cutthroat Kitchen Guys,’ ‘Grocery Games’ — pretty much all the big cooking competitions out there, but there’d never been one where you basically had to go back, to back, to back, to back, and so I was kind of nervous about that, but I think it’s always good to be nervous because it means you genuinely care about what you’re doing.” 

With the synopsis of cooking for more than 24 hours, Vigneron said he is no stranger to working sleep-deprived. 

“I’m a relatively new dad. I have my 3-year-old son Kingston, and so there were a lot of sleepless nights,” he said. “I worked in Vegas for four years and there was definitely some all-nighters there as well, so I had that under my belt andI felt like relatively confident.”

Vigneron has been in the kitchen cooking with his mom since he was 15 years old. 

Now at 44 years old, Vigneron said it’s decades of programming.

Being born first, Vigneron remembers going to work with his mom when she was a pastry chef at a restaurant calledThe Old Mill.

“She used to take me to work with her, and I would sit on a sack of flour and watch her bake croissants that looked like swans and cream puffs, all sorts of different stuff,” Vigneron said. “I always thought it was so fascinating making stuff with her hands, and it was fun. My mom was my original catalyst that was the spark that ignited the fire that, it turned into my passion for cooking.”

Dinner is also Vigneron’s favorite meal period. 

“I get super creative in the late afternoon, early evening and usually get a nice push of energy then as well,” he said.

When asked what his favorite restaurant was in Malibu, Vigneron’s said nothing beats home cooking.

“That’s a tough one, I think my house … Home is my favorite restaurant,” he said. 

Despite the stress of the clock and the brink of elimination, Vigneron was also competing for his family.

“I had them kind of inspiring me to do my best, and I was nervous, but I felt good,” he said. “When it comes down to the food and when I’m when cooking in these competitions, it’s less of a competition for me, and it’s more of a mission for me to just do my personal best.”

Vigneron was also featured in “Selena Gomez + Restaurant,” a show where Gomez explores restaurants in Los Angeles.

“She was such a nice, sweet, humble person, it just made it so much fun,” Vigneron said. “It’s always so refreshing to work with somebody like that.”

Other than being busy as a dad, Vigneron has recently been working with his family’s cookware line, Original Orgreenic.

“We have a new line of knives that just came out and we’re doing a new set of pots and pans as well, so I think for me, that’s kind of one of my big focuses right now,” he said. “I’m super proud of the knives, they’re absolutely incredible. That’s something that I’m super excited and proud of.”

To learn more about Original Orgreenic, visit www.originalorgreenic.com/. 

Wife of iconic humorist deeded beautiful grounds in Pacific Palisades to the state in 1944

One of the most enduring figures of the 1930s was the iconic Will Rogers, who famously never met a man he didn’tlike. With part Cherokee ancestry, the Oklahoman took Hollywood by storm in the early 20th century, starring in silent films, and then talkies. The trick roper, vaudevillian, and humorist was the toast of Broadway in the “Ziegfeld Follies.” 

Rogers became a syndicated columnist and radio personality known for his humor and musings about politics. He was known for his phrase, “All I know is what I read in the papers.” He was, in a word, beloved. This celebrated figure called his Pacific Palisades ranch home until his untimely death in 1935. Ironically, he and a friend, aviator Wiley Post, were doing what Rogers loved to do, fly in an airplane, when it crashed, killing them both. World leaders, kings, and presidents mourned his passing.

In 1944, Rogers’ widow Betty deeded 186 acres of their Palisades ranch to the state as a legacy to Will, his amazinglife, and global popularity.  

June 8 marked the 80th anniversary of the deed establishing Will Rogers State Historic Park. The pastoral acreage, not far from Malibu, has blossomed as an urban oasis for hikers, picnickers, history buffs, and polo fans. The ranch house, stables, and grounds were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

In celebration of the historic park and to raise money benefitting the Will Rogers Ranch Foundation and Will Rogers Polo Club, the Sips and Saddles Roséwine tasting and Tournament of Rose Polo Match event was held at the historic field with 600 attendees.

Ladies dressed to the nines wearing Kentucky Derby-worthy sunhats and gents fashionably dressed sipped wine while watching three polo matches in tribute to Rogers’ beloved sport. Guests at the elegant event delighted watching the 24 polo players atop their ponies for matches on the site’s expansive field.

Kathy Knoll, event manager of the inaugural Sips and Saddles explained, “the event is for wine lovers, those who love the outdoors, and the community.” Area restaurants represented at the event included some favorites from the Pacific Palisades and Gladstones Malibu, a welcome surprise to many who mistakenly didn’t realize the family favoriteseafood establishment was saved from closure. More than 30 wineries from California to France were represented, showcasing their finest rosé wines. “We’re bringing the Hamptons to Los Angeles,” said Knoll. 

One group of five friends from Pasadena said they were impressed by the inaugural Sips and Saddles event. “We weren’t sure what to expect,” said Carolyn Prater, helping to celebrate a friend’s birthday, “but everything is beyond our expectation.” Another friend in the group, Sarah Javaheri added, “It’s great people watching too.”

Events like Sips and Saddles help fund the Will Rogers Ranch Foundation and the bucolic grounds of the expansive property that’s open to the public. Bill Hamm, the park’s educator and historian, commented, “This is an auspicious day because today is our 80th birthday. In 1944, Will’s widow Betty donated this as a park. It’s gorgeous and has the last remaining polo field in Los Angeles.” 

The park’s mission is to keep the acreage as when Roger’s family lived on the property, so there are no swing sets or basketball courts. You will find a polo field, picnicking, and a 2.2-mile hiking trail, “Will’s old horse riding trail. A half-hour up and a half-hour down,” according to Hamm, who added it was “listed by the LA Times as one of the best hikes to take your mom on for Mother’s Day without killing her because it’s switchbacks, not straight up.” 

The gem of the property is the historic Will Rogers house. The home where Rogers and his family lived is open for free tours “to teach the memory of who Will and the family were to generations who have never heard of him before.” Tours are available Thursdays through Sundays.

“I’m a huge fan of Will and Betty Rogers,” Hamm stated. “Will was a philanthropist who cared about other people. Not just nationally, but internationally. He did a variety show to benefit victims of a 1927 flood in New Orleans. He did the same after an earthquake in Nicaragua. He was very kind and caring. It goes back to the Cherokee philosophy, ‘Take only what you need and share the rest with the tribe.’ He truly believed that. It’s an important message today. We need more people like Will Rogers in the world.”

On Sunday, Aug. 11, there will be another park celebration honoring veterans and Betty Rogers.

Local music lovers can also check out the Trancas Summer Nights series

By Barbara Burke 

Special to The Malibu Times 

“We are a group of volunteers and local business owners who just love music,” said a post on Nextdoor, discussing Tiny Porch Concerts, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to the performers as well as to the national parks where the concerts are held. 

The Tiny Porch Concert Summer Music Series aims to continue the rich tradition of live music singing through the Santa Monica Mountains and it offers four outdoor concerts at the iconic Peter Strauss Ranch Theater in the Santa Monica Mountains in Agoura Hills. 

“This series is a must for anyone who appreciates high quality, original live music where artists travel from all over the country to perform,” the organization’s website informs, adding, “When you walk into the theater for the first time, you will see what we mean. There is no other place like it! It’s our own Hollywood Bowl right here in the Santa Monica Mountains, only smaller, more rustic and no traffic!”

The concerts are a huge hit and enjoy a loyal, large following. Peter Strauss Ranch is a unique theater with a rich history of entertaining. The musical community plans to keep it that way and enjoys support by sponsors from the area.

“We have been hosting these concerts for seven years now and our fan base has developed into a special group of people who all enjoy live music of the country folk and bluegrass genres,” said Xxxxxx Xxxx. “We have several creative and unique environments that we utilize as concert venues in and around the Santa Monica Mountains” 

Upcoming concerts showcase folk singer Adam Ezra, who will appear on July 14.  Fans are hoping he will talk about and possibly play “Hold Each Other Now,” which he composed for John Oates, and they also hope that he’ll discuss how he livestreamed for 500 nights in a row during the pandemic. Ezra will be joined by Mary Scholz, a celebrated Americana singer, songwriter, and acoustic guitarist based in Los Angeles. Her newest album, “Begin Again,” includes several memorable songs. Music Junkie Press aptly describes her singing, “To see Mary Scholz live in concert is to fall in love. It is the voice and the lyrics – the music that flows from the stage … you know this woman and her singing and you want to spend the rest of your life listening to her!” Wow!

The Tiny Porch Concert series will end on Aug. 11, when concertgoers will enjoy a performance by The Riverside, an energetic and engaging trio. The folk string band thoroughly enjoys playing intimate venues and loves to share traditional melodies and harmonies. Also performing that evening is The Salty Suites, a dynamic three-piece acoustic band with blazing instrumentals, soaring harmonies, and beautiful vocals. The group plays Americana, folk, and bluegrass with original composition and selected covers.

Readers who are interested can listen to this season’s 2024 performers here: tinyportchconcerts.com/upcoming. Donations and sponsorships are sincerely appreciated and proceeds benefit the Santa Monica Fund which contributes directly to the local national parks.

Trancas Summer Nights promises some great concert experiences

In western Malibu, Trancas Country Market continues its years-long tradition of offering concerts on the lawn on Friday evenings. Crowds have flocked to the concerts so far this summer and they have thoroughly enjoyed the freedom of dancing with other locals. While kids and pets frolic, locals get with the vibe of the various performing bands and bond with friends old and new.

Forthcoming concerts include Montana Shane & The Canyon Band on June 21, a collaborative music project that delighted Malibuites last year — this year’s encore will prove to be more delightful for attendees. 

Malibu’s own Indio Downey will perform on June 26 and he will share his emotional songs derived from classic rock, ‘90s pop and grunge. His recent “Plastic Rainbow” album has garnered accolades. Downey shares that his song “Dume,” produced by Dan Omelio, is “a metaphor for the fatal attraction to self-destruction.” Why the title? That’s simple, “It’s a play on Point Dume, which is my inspiration spot,” he says. Attendees hope to be inspired when listening and dancing to Indio in his hometown!

On July 5, Fallen Angels will perform, followed the next week by Jakobs Castle on July 12. The Weasels will take the stage on July 19, and the ever-popular fan favorite, Heartbreak for Petty will perform on July 26. 

The August lineup includes Lizzy Passions, who will perform on Aug. 1, Ignition on Aug. 9, and another local fan favorite, Little Dume, on Aug. 16. A greatly anticipated performance by the New Old Music Group, which sings the tunes made famous by beloved local musician Lenny Goldsmith, will delight concert goers on Aug. 23.  The ever popular Riptide will complete the Summer Series on Aug. 30.

Concerts at Trancas Summer Nights are free to all. Bands begin to play on the lawn at 6 p.m. and finish at 9 p.m. Come one, come all.  Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and the hosts invite attendees to patronize the Trancas restaurants or the Vintage Market.

City tries to prevent a repeat of last year’s Independence Day fiasco 

By Judy Abel 

Special to The Malibu Times 

Malibu officials and residents will be keeping a close eye on Nobu Malibu on July 4. This in an effort to prevent a repeat of last year’s massive traffic jam, the result of an unpermitted event at the celebrity-filled eatery. Barring naturaldisaster, last year’s debacle was arguably the worst traffic snarl in Malibu’s history, when an already-busy PCH was brought to a near-standstill by party-bus and limousine drivers who abandoned their vehicles on the center median and elsewhere in order to get their guests to an advertised event not cleared with the city. 

More than 700 people overcrowded the restaurant’s roughly 130 capacity, a safety hazard that also caught the attention of fire authorities. Traffic was backed up for hours in both directions, raising the ire of Malibu’s Safety Commission and others concerned that emergency vehicles would not be able to reach ill or injured citizens and infuriated by the restaurant’s general disregard for the local community.

Last year’s flagrant code violations resulted in total fees and fines to the high-grossing business of $821 — less than the cost of a dinner for four. At the time, city staff refused to divulge the amount of the fine to the press, and a public records act request was needed to force its disclosure to the Malibu citizenry. 

This year, as required, Nobu applied for and was granted a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) with the city. An appeal can be filed, but as of June 13, no such appeal had been recorded. 

The 2024 TUP was issued to Nobu because, according to a memo received by The Malibu Times from the City of Malibu Planning Department, “under the City Code, each TUP must be reviewed as a stand-alone application, and it cannot be denied based on a previous TUP at the same location. The LA County District Attorney informed the Planning Director that there were no formal complaints made against the Nobu property owner in the last 24 months, soPlanning couldn’t deny it outright, under the City Code.”

The Malibu Times reviewed the relevant code sections, and was unable to locate the basis for the city’s above assertion.Municipal Code Section 17.68.060 provides that the director “may approve a temporary use permit application; provided, that all the following findings of fact are made…,” including that there be no complaints filed with the D.A.’soffice within 24 months. However, the Planning Department seems to be interpreting the code provision that it “may” approve a TUP so long as various conditions are met to mean that it is required to issue a permit so long as those conditions are met. This interpretation seems unsupported by the plain language of the code, which uses permissive (may) and not mandatory (shall) language throughout. 

The code also requires that the Planning Director make certain findings prior to issuing a permit; however, the TUP was approved “pending” further submissions as to an updated parking and site plan and approvals by the Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department. The approval of the Planning Director was issued June 10, the deadline under the municipal code (which requires a decision no later than 24 days prior to the proposed use), despite the fact that these additional required submissions were pending. There is nothing in the code that contemplates such conditional approvals. Instead, the code requires “a decision” 24 days prior to the proposed use and further requires that the application for the TUP“shall include” an “Agency approval sheet, signed by all the agencies.”  It does not appear the TUP application had approvals from the Fire Department or Sheriff’s Department, given that those approvals were still pending on June 10 when the Planning Department issued the TUP. The approval of an incomplete application may have resulted from Nobu’s decision to submit its application on or close to the deadline, despite this being an annual event with many months of prior planning.   

Nobu’s July 4 event is invitation-only and not open to the public. And in typical Nobu fashion, those invitees will be shielded by privacy hedges in order to keep the public at bay. The TUP application states the attendance is capped at 250 with guests who will arrive and depart from a shuttle site in Santa Monica. The only exception is for an unknown number of VIP guests (the number is not identified in the permit approval) who will be allowed to be dropped off and picked up at the restaurant site. A Sheriff’s Department officer will be on site to monitor compliance and address trash, parking, and overcrowding concerns, as well as to ensure no traffic lanes are blocked. Guests will not be allowed to walk to the restaurant and must be shuttled in or on the VIP guest list. Rideshares will not be allowed for pickup or drop-off, presumably to be enforced by the no walk-in requirement.

The officer on scene will also be monitoring noise levels at Nobu during the event from 4 to 11 p.m., plus setup and breakdown. According to the TUP: “If any agent of the city requests that the noise level be reduced, event participants shall ensure immediate compliance.”

In addition to a law enforcement presence on site, the TUP indicates a City Code Enforcement employee will monitor the event population at specified intervals throughout the duration of the event for adherence to the stated maximum of 250 participants. The TUP states: “If applicant is shown to violate terms of this permit, the applicant will pay a $5,000 fine to be collected by the city.” High-end sponsorships of the event were sold by Nobu to companies wanting to connect with the restaurant’s upscale clientele. With city staff stating it had no legal basis to deny the issuance of a permit for the event, the threat of minimal fines makes compliance with the TUP’s restrictions essentially voluntary.

Chris Frost, chair of Malibu’s Safety Commission, said, “I think based on what happened last year there, which was a complete s***show, they should have denied the permit this year. I think they’ve been catered to way too much over the last five or six years. That Fourth of July party there is what I call an attractive nuisance.”

SAR, MRCA advise visitors on coming to recreational areas during times of excessive heat 

Staff Report

On Sunday, June 23, Malibu Search & Rescue had the team’s busiest afternoon with four successive rescues between 3 and 7 p.m. Malibu Search & Rescue, LA County Fire Department and California State Parks teamed up to rescue four patients. 

The first, a female adult hiker suffering from excessive heat at the “M*A*S*H” site at Malibu Creek State Park was located and treated. The second, a 19-year-old male was injured when cliff jumping at the “Rock Pool” at the other end of the same park. 

After rescuers left the park, they were again called back for two male hikers suffering from heat exhaustion. Just as MalibuSAR rescuers were ending their shift, they were called to the Ahmanson Ranch Open Space Area for an injured mountain bicyclist. 

With the temperature hitting almost 100 degrees in the area, heat-related rescues were prevalent. Several of the hikers said they thought they were prepared. MalibuSAR cautions everyone that it’s extremely difficult for the typical hiker to prepare to hike in such high temps. Many people we encountered had not even brought water with them. If you feel theneed to hike in this weather, start very early in the morning, limit your hike to a couple hours, bring lots of water, and dress light, wearing a hat and sunscreen. 

Mountains Recreation Conservancy Authority also shared the post and provided tips on hiking in the summer.

“You can never be ‘over-prepared’ when deciding to hike in high heat,” MRCA said on Facebook. “If you think you are, pack some more water! That spare bottle or two of water may help someone you pass on the trail or their dog!”

Other options to consider:

• Start your hike early in the morning so your hike ends before the heat sets in. 
• Postpone your adventure for a day with milder temps
• Choose an area with lower temperatures, coastal vs inland

Automated traffic enforcement works for small-town Iowa, but will it work for Malibu?

By Ben Marcus

On June 18, the City of Malibu was pleased to announce the passage of Senate Bill 1297 (SB 1297), which authorizes the use of speed camera systems in designated areas of Malibu, “strategically placed in five high-risk areas along Malibu’s21-mile stretch, where speeding poses a serious threat to public safety.”

High time, but now the questions are: When will the cameras be installed? Which areas of Malibu should be designatedfor speed cameras? How much will the fines be? And, how will that revenue be dispersed?

While writing a feature on speed cameras that included the tragic accident that took the lives of four Pepperdine students, I went online to compile facts and figures about the dollars and cents, legalities and liabilities, costs and benefits, and other factoids relating to speed on Pacific Coast Highway, and the use of speed cameras across country and around the world.

One group of numbers I found had to do with the use of Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) in Marion, Iowa — a town of about 46,000 souls equidistant from Hiawatha and Cedar Rapids. Two permanent speed cameras and one mobile system had been approved by the Marion City Council in April of 2023, and they went into operation in September of2023.

After one month of unblinking traffic enforcement, the Marion numbers looked like this:

$0: Cost to the City of Marion to install speed cameras. The cameras are installed by a Swedish company — Sensys Gato — who take a cut of the citation revenue.

1: Mobile camera, used where needed, with the public alerted.

2: Red light/speed cameras at the intersection of state highways and local roads.

$50: Fine for 5 to 10 mph over speed limit

$75: Fine for 11 to 20 mph over speed limit

$100: Fine for 21 to 25 mph over speed limit

$250: Fine for 26 to 30 mph over speed limit

$500: Fine for 31 mph or more over speed limit

$100: Fine for running a red light

120: Repeat violators in one month.

15: Three-time violators in one month

4: Four-time violators in one month.

1: Person received six violations within a month

86 MPH: Fastest speed recorded in a 55 mph zone.

538: Citations for excess speed from two stationary cameras

1,142: Citations for running red lights from two stationary cameras

1,680: Citations for red lights/speeding issued in Marion, Iowa, from September to October 2023.

$141,100: Minimum revenue from two fixed speed/red light cameras for one month — (1,142 x $100) + (538 x $50) — but probably a lot more.

“Righteous bucks!” in the words of Jeff Spicoli, but what seems to be working for the small town Marion, Iowa — could it work for the small town of Malibu?

Like Malibu, Marion had a problem with high-speed driving, according to Chief of Police Mike Kitsmiller: “In Marion, we recognized a need to address two problem intersections, and community complaints regarding speeding, while simultaneously trying to overcome staffing shortages.”

Marion has found that Automated Traffic Enforcement systems are many orders of magnitude more efficient and cost-effective at catching and citing speeders, raising revenue, and also taking the pressure off peace officers to handle more pressing calls

“We also asked for, and received, a mobile speed unit which we deploy pursuant to resident complaints regarding speeding,” Kitsmiller said. “We kept track of how many hours we were sitting out shooting radar in response to complaints and I was able to show the council how inefficient that was. The example I used was we monitored 20 locations pursuant to complaints, sat at those locations a total of 39 hours, and walked away with one speeding ticket, nine warnings and an OWI (Operating While Intoxicated). At the end of the day, the council recognized it was more efficient for us to utilize technology, at essentially no cost, to help us perform an essential part of our job. I drafted an ordinance with our city attorney, it passed, and we started implementing the program.”

“Essentially no cost” is eye-catching. There are a number of companies offeringspeed cameras around the country and around the world. Some of them sell the equipment outright and let local jurisdictions deal with installing and maintaining the cameras, issuing citations, fighting them in court, collecting fines.

Other cities in Iowa have publicly reported the results of their speed cameras and the consensus is they are effective not just at making roads safer, but at generating eye-opening revenues for the city.

Prairie City, Iowa, is a very small town of maybe 1,800 souls located 22 miles east of Des Moines. Prairie City installed four cameras, two outside of the school in town on South State Street, one for officers to use as a handheld camera andone on Highway 163 westbound just west of the Prairie City exit.

According to a May 2023 story by James Stratton for KCCI.com titled “Small Iowa Town Makes Millions On Speed Camera Tickets” and subtitled “Some say they’re there for safety, others call them a ‘racket,’” this small Iowa town raked in significantly righteous bucks.

“Still, the small town is making big money on the cameras,” the article states. “Since the city turned them on in fiscal year 2020, Prairie City has made $2.38 million in revenue. KCCI Investigates requested the number of tickets written, and the money the city made, using an open records request. The city said it could only give the number of tickets that were paid, which is 34,515 in that period.

“So far, in fiscal year 2022, the city has collected cash on 25,660 tickets, with roughly two months left to go. In fiscal year 2022, those 25,660 tickets raked in $2.83 million. A third-party company, Blue Line Solutions, owns and operates the cameras and gets 40% of the cut but does reimburse the city for officers’ time. Still, Prairie City has made $1.72 million in the fiscal year 2022. That money is roughly 42% of its total revenue, according to the city’s budget. It’s also about 2.5 times more than the city budgeted to collect in property taxes.”

The KCCI story goes on to say, “The city is using the money to help pay for a new fire and EMS building, renovate the library, reconstruct alleys, relocate water lines and fix its tennis courts.

“‘It helps pay for things, so we don’t have to raise taxes,’ said Mayor [Chad] Alleger, highlighting those projects. “Our tax levy is the same as it was last year.”

One can imagine that the crazy drivers of Iowa are somewhat different than the hot rodders of Malibu — and anyone who has ever dealt with black ice knows how deadly dangerous that stuff is. Speed and red light cameras are working for Prairie City and Marion and other small towns in Iowa: Will that work for Malibu?

Damian Kevitt of Streets are for Everyone is part of the organization responsible for pushing the AB645 legislation from the Assembly to the Senate to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom and now AB1297. He is uncomfortable with all the money numbers thrown around in relation to speed cameras, because that’s not what it’s about. Making roads safer is the goal, not raising money, Kevitt says: 

The use of speed enforcement cameras is not about making money. Anyone who says it is is missing the real purpose of any automated enforcement system. They are about saving lives, in this case, by preventing egregious speeding and reducing collisions, serious injuries, and fatalities. 

According to the Federal Highway Administration, speed cameras reduce crashes on urban streets by 54 percent. Further, a global review of speed cameras by the NTSB found that the cameras were effective in reducing fatal collisions by a low of 17 percent to a high of 71 percent.

In case any skeptics think that it’s in some secret way still about making money, SB 1297 and its predecessor, AB 645, which SB 1297 is based on, prevent a municipal government from using these systems to augment its general operating funds by requiring that any profit generated by a speed camera system be used only for road safety improvements in the community. That’s not necessarily the case in other states but that’s how it’s being done in California.

In our conversation, McKevitt said he hoped to get AB1297 passed “so the cameras can be legally allowed starting Jan. 1, 2025. Then there will be time to set the cameras up (a lot of steps to do that) but that will be in the hands of the City of Malibu. That’s the fastest it will go. If we lose this battle for SB 1297 they won’t be allowed till Jan. 1, 2026, at the soonest.”

So one of the battles for AB1297 has been won, but what is the procedure and timetable for setting up the cameras? Will Caltrans pay for the installation, monitoring and maintenance of the cameras? City of Malibu? Los Angeles County?

And who will decide where the cameras are placed?

Realtor and City Councilmember Paul Grisanti is concerned enough with speed and safety on PCH that he drives a truck with a message.

Grisanti had this to say about the past and future of speed cameras in Malibu: “What a town over 1,500 miles away can do, and are doing, in their state is not relevant to our menu of possibilities. Under the California test program the fine is limited to $50. The car gets the ticket, not the driver. Cameras are situated to get the license plate, not the driver.

“Do I wish this would result in people getting points on their licenses? Yes! Do I wish the fines were more significant?Yes! 

“The legislation does not allow either of those consequences. The California State legislation limits the fines we can charge to $50.

“The city is very grateful to our representatives in Sacramento, who have gotten us parity with the five initial test communities! Mayor Pro Tem Doug Stewart and City Manager Steve McClary’s efforts have been heroic.”

Malibu Mayor pro tem Doug Stewart had some of those answers

“I would suggest you take a look at where we are on the bill language that was just passed in the Assembly Transportation Committee,” he said. “There have been amendments along the way that have added clarification and complexity.

“Your comments about the company in Sweden providing the cameras at no cost, is strictly not going to be the case for Malibu. As you will see in the bill language such revenue sharing is strictly prohibited.  If we had our ideal outcome, there would be no revenue from the cameras as people would respond to their placement by slowing down.

“The City of Malibu is absorbing all of the costs for the cameras as we believe they are far too critical to have to wait for the state or other sources to find the money to cover the costs. We will be checking to see if we might be able to obtain federal funding, but that is not a requirement to complete the installation.

“As to placement, that is still being determined. The cameras will have to be in fixed locations (no mobile units per the bill) with stringent signage, maintenance, and performance/quality control requirements. 

“As to timing, we will move as quickly as possible, but this will not be instant cameras when the bill has the governor’ssignature.  We have money already allocated for the upcoming fiscal year to start the process and will do so as the bill continues to work its way through the legislature. Once we have a better idea of the final bill we can move forward with design, location, hardware, and operation elements. We are all driven by the concern that a day delayed could cost someone their life or possibly serious injury.”

Paraphrasing a background email from the office of Assemblyperson Jaqui Irwin: The Assembly Transportation Committee passed SB 1297 and the bill has now been passed to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee for its next hearing on July 2. There are other potential committees and the full Assembly that will need to vote on the bill, assuming it makes it through this process, before it gets to the governor’s desk where he will make the decision whether or not to sign it into law.

The language in the bill dictates how and where cameras may be placed. Placement is strategic based on various factors. One requirement is that revenue generated from violations would first have to be used to recover program costs. The City of Malibu is also required to continue to contract with CHP for additional enforcement as part of the bill.

So it appears there are several more hoops — rings of fire — for this legislation to jump through before it’s approved.

Excellence in Education awards go to  five Malibu teachers’ for their instruction and support of pupils

By Barbara Burke

Special to The Malibu Times

As echoes of singing “School’s out for Summer” still ring in locals’ ears, there is yet more to celebrate in Malibu’sacademic landscape. The Malibu Optimists Club hosted two signature events celebrating brilliant, innovative andeffective teachers in our local schools and Kids Speak Out!, an annual fourth-graders’ writing and oratory skills competition challenging young scholars to write about and publicly speak about the topic “Why Choose Optimism?”

On May 23, the Malibu Optimists presented the 2024 Ronald E. Merriman Excellence in Education Award to five very deserving teachers in Malibu.

“Every year, the Optimists reach out to the principals at each of the five schools in Malibu, asking them to nominate an educator from their school who has demonstrated that they are a ‘special friend of youth,’ and who exhibits an exemplary dedication to serving youth and a passion for helping students reach their full potential.” Excellence in Education Award Program Chair Mona Kyle explained. “We traditionally honor the recipients and their families at one of our regular Thursday breakfast meetings in the Hahn Fireside Room on the Pepperdine campus, recognizing their leadership with a plaque and gift certificate that is very generously donated by Geoffrey’s Restaurant.”

This year, the emcee for the award ceremony was Stacy Rouse, who has been the sole Malibu representative on the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District Board since December 2022. 

This year’s award recipients include Dee Dee Cooper, who previously received the Excellence in Education Award while teaching at Point Dume Marine Science School, now called Malibu Elementary School. Cooper currently teaches first grade at Webster Elementary. She spends a great deal of time planning relevant and engaging curriculum for her students, cares deeply about each child’s well-being, and works diligently to support their emotional growth and self-confidence. Cooper has also served on both the Site Leadership Team and School Site Council. 

The second teacher recognized was Joelin Ferguson, who has been teaching for 24 years. She began teaching at Point Dume Marine Science in 2004 as a second-grade teacher, but is currently teaching third grade at MES. 

“Joelin contributes to the academic success of her students by providing the very best learning activities every minute of every school day, and was recently re-elected by her peers to be the Lead Teacher to head the School Leadership Team,” Kyle stated. 

Ahmad Diba was the third recipient of the award.

“After four decades successfully running aerospace companies as a mechanical engineer, Ahmad Diba started teaching French at Our Lady of Malibu School, and has expanded his repertoire to include teaching advanced math, acting as the STAR testing coordinator, maker of the OLMmaster schedule, and after-school tutor extraordinaire,” Kyle noted.

The fourth awardee, Nahla Seikali, is a graduate of UC Berkeley who came to teach at Malibu Middle and Malibu High Schools from Northern California in 2014. She previously taught seventh-grade Algebra I, and AP Calculus AB, in addition to her current courses of Geometry, Precalculus/Calculus A, and AP Calculus BC. Seikali was recognized by the Parent Teacher Students Association with an Honorary Service Award in 2018 and again in 2022, and she was also recognized with the Educator Spotlight Award in 2018.

The fifth recipient, Mike Mulligan, could not attend the ceremony because he was supervising the MMS eighth-grade field trip to Yosemite, but he caught up with the Optimists at their next event. Mulligan started teaching at MMS/MHS in 1991. He served on the district curriculum writing team for physical education and helped develop the independent study physical education requirements. He was also the physical education department chair for several years.

“Mike started the water polo and swim teams in 1992 and the girls’ water polo team in 1996,” Kyle noted.

The five teachers from five Malibu schools help Malibu’s children excel academically and socially and who help toshape our community’s future leaders, and Malibu is the better for it.

Kids Speak Out!

“Kids Speak Out!” That’s the pre-oratorical program for all fourth-grade students in the Malibu schools sponsored by the Optimists Club.

“This program provides young people with an opportunity to improve communication skills, gain experience inspeaking to an audience and develop self-confidence,” Kyle explained. “The program includes an introduction to the Optimist Creed and public speaking workshops conducted by Heather Anderson at all three elementary schools. The topic for this year was, ‘WhyChoose Optimism.’”

Preliminary rounds of competition were held at each school on May 29 and 30, and the field of speakers was narrowed down from 60 to 10 students who advanced to the final round of competition, which was held in Pepperdine’s Raitt Recital Hall on June 5.

The 10 students who competed in the final round were Lyle Sokoloff (Webster), Hazel Rivers (Our Lady of Malibu), Jack Marderosian (OLM), Caroline Felton (OLM), Tulee Earnest (Webster), Eli Becker (MES), Loe Gregory (MES), Naomi Jackson (Webster), Mavin Polatin (MES) and Raphael Armony (MES).

Contestants were evaluated for their spirit, which included their enthusiasm, positive attitude, courage, and energy. The content of their speech and whether they stuck to the topic, provided accurate information, had a theme to their work and arrived at logical conclusions were also considered. The contestants’ creativity — whether their piece displayed originality, imagination, resourcefulness and had a vision — also was considered.

Finally, judges evaluated the contestants’ delivery and presentation of their speeches, which included assessing whether the students enunciated and pronounced their words, utilized tempo and rhythm, and emphasized key elements of their message, as well as whether they connected with the audience and retained the interest of those who listened to their presentations.

The top three scorers were Eli Becker, who placed first, Loe Gregory, who placed second and Tulee Earnest, who placed third. Each student received a plaque and gift cards provided by Toy Crazy and Malibu Village Books.

Eli’s essay, entitled, “Why Choose Optimism,” is inspiring and engaging, beginning with the query, “Have you ever been afraid to do something scary?” It continues, “Well after you hear this, you will be less scared.”

Then, Eli takes the listener on an experience, stating, “On July 1, 2023, I told myself I couldn’t go to the Cayucos shipwreck because the tide was high and the water was deep, but my dad encouraged me to swim to the shipwreck and get on it anyway. Dad always reminded me to swim, that being brave means doing something even when you’re scared to do it. Because I decided to be optimistic, it allowed me to be brave and swim to the shipwreck.”

After discussing Martin Luther King’s extreme optimism in fighting for African American rights, Eli noted that “if everyone chooses to be pessimistic, the chances of achieving great things and meeting great challenges in the world will be much less possible than if we choose optimism.”

Proud parents Bill and Magnolia Becker said, “Eli really does see the world through the lens of an optimist. We think it’s important that his, and the other student’s, voices be heard.” 

“’The Kids Speak Out!’ contest involved a fantastic process and the kids all did a great job,” Kasey Earnest, Tulee’smother said. “It is great to see the students learn how to get up and talk in public!”

Tulee was equally impressed, saying “I think the ‘Kids Speak Out!’ contest was the coolest experience ever! We were told two months before we started writing and I was so excited to start — I liked to read my friends’ writing and I learned a lot!”

Ten-year-old Loe shared his second-place essay, which stated, “When I think of optimism I think of Richard Kruse, aka my Uncle Dick, who is 6 feet, 8 inches tall, 330 pounds and 76 years old, with hands so big one hand can wrap around my body. He is wise and humorous, gentle and giant. Oh and I forgot one important detail … he only has one leg.”

Gregory shared that when his Uncle Dick was in his teens, he was a basketball star and was diagnosed with cancer, resulting in his leg being amputated. However, Uncle Dick’s outlook on life has taught Gregory that humor and optimism are the best medicine. A lesson for us all.

Those three Malibu school students, and all of their peers, will one day help to shape our community’s future. By doing so optimistically, Malibu will be the better for it.