Apparently City Attorney Christi Hogin’s unshakable decision to proceed with her campaign irregularities investigation is more contemptible to councilmembers Keller and Van Horn and their supporters, than the fact that laws might have been broken.

Hogin has to sit there and listen to two of Malibu’s elected representatives cross-examine the examiner who is merely trying to do her job, according to the law, despite their vigorous effort to thwart it. She’s repeatedly subjected to ridicule and scorn, rather than encouragement to do her duty. Then, two closed session subjects were discussed in open session for the obvious intent to intimidate and embarrass Ms. Hogin. She was told to cancel her vacation in order to complete the investigation, and she was asked about her contract, which, she said, is month to month. This is Theater of the Absurd in its most preposterous form.

No one is above the law, which includes the individuals who initiate the law; nor should the law be selective when personal advantage is desired. Don’t forget that the next campaign is less than one and one-half years away.

Marlene Matlow

In his letter [“The abridged version,” Aug. 6] Mr. Wood cites a Federal Court ruling that “The City Council cannot pass rules of decorum.” If this is true, then we may need to change resolution 91-24, Sec B, Rule 5, which spells out rules of decorum for Malibu City Council meetings. This resolution was authored by then-Mayor Walter Keller and passed unanimously by that council on March 28, 1991, long before I was elected to office.

I can appreciate Mr. Wood’s concern that many in the military gave their lives to protect our First Amendment right to free speech. (Many years ago, as the widow of a marine, I became painfully aware of the sacrifices made in the name of freedom.) I can assure Mr. Wood that it was not my intention to inhibit his right to speak during “Community Comment” when I asked him to refrain from engaging in personal attacks. However, as a soldier, Mr. Wood should appreciate that when rules are established, they must be enforced equally and fairly, or abolished altogether.

If Mr. Wood feels that personal attacks are appropriate, relevant and necessary to Malibu’s public deliberations, then I suggest he petition the City Council to abolish the established rules governing public decorum.

Mayor Joan House

We, the owners of Monroe’s Restaurant, would like to say a special thank you for all the wonderful support that you have given over the last decade. We shall miss you all very dearly on the day-to-day basis that we have come to know so many of you by, but we shall look forward to seeing you in the community. Until then, ta ta for now. Meanwhile we are continuing as Monroe’s Catering.

Richard and Donna Chesterfield

Kudos to all our creative, talented, curious, darling, wonderful and clever scientists-to-be this year at the Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue. We had a marvelous academic year and summer program learning about the world around us at our after-school science enrichment programs for preschoolers and kindergartners. From solar energy, kitchen chemistry, turtles, butterflies and marine life to dinosaurs, fossils, magnets, sound, bubbles and edible science, we explored nature with all our senses and creative juices.

Our Who’s Who of scientists-to-be this past year includes Lucas, Michael, Cody, Parker, Nicholas, Jordan, Will, Taylor, Chelsea, Taylor, Elijah, Charu, Coral, Julia, Kris, Danny, Sammy, Max, Rebecca, Alexandra, Jeremy, Alex, Allyson, Carmen, Carley, Harrison, Shannon, Jake and Casey.

Raise your test tubes and, here’s to our future generation of Einsteins! You are great scholars; and it was a joy and an honor indeed to be with you and share your moments of discovery and glee, as well as to hear your “Oohs!” and “Aahs!” as we experienced the wonders of science and nature. And, we can’t wait until September, when we begin anew and welcome you and your friends, along with new smiling and curious faces, for yet another fun-filled year of more ooey, gooey, fizzy and sparkly science!

P.S. Thanks, finally, to our wonderful local Malibu merchants and community service organizations for their continued support of my program, including Falcon Cable, Malibu Yogurt, Pet Headquarters, Malibu Lumber, Hughes Market, Sav-On, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Jack-in-the-Box, Pizza Hut, Ben and Jerry’s, La Salsa, the Malibu Library, Artifac Tree, Dume Plaza Pharmacy, HRL Laboratories (thank you, of course, to my dear husband and scientist, Dr. David M. Pepper) and, above all, a big thank you and hugs galore to the MJC&S staff and our outstanding director, De De Solis.

Denise Danyelle Pepper

The Malibu Art Association, a group of local artists formed to promote art for its members and the community, wishes to thank the Malibu Chamber of Commerce, Mary Lou Blackwood, staff and committees for coordinating a professional special event — The Malibu Arts Festival.

Our members participating in the show enjoyed two days of fun together, displaying and selling their paintings and photography. It was a very successful show for artists. Members donated 15 percent of all sales to the scholarship and art enrichment program, for the Malibu schools, sponsored by the Malibu Art Association.

Marie Stapel

President, Malibu Art Association.

If what I suspect is true, Walt Keller and Caroline Van Horn, Malibu City Council members, have been diligently thumbing through their White House pamphlets #666, “How to sabotage any investigation,” and #667, “How to bury the opposition.”

The victim this time is Christi Hogin, our city attorney. The big bully tactics being used are beneath even those of Keller and Van Horn. Not to mention the little bully tactics being mouthed by some of the local citizens.

Christi is the underdog. Is this not harassment in the work place? I encourage her to stand her ground, be true to herself and her legal profession, keep her dignity and not cave in to this menace facing her. Christi, there are many of us in Malibu that empathize with you and wish you well.

Gerry Battey

Let me see if I got this right. Seven or eight years ago, Elisabeth Binstock finds out some “friends” of hers “dognapped” a Malamute puppy. These people proceed to abuse this dog and Elizabeth notices this once a year when she visits Los Angeles. Finally, she convinces them to give her the dog, who will never be normal because of years of abuse. And Elisabeth thinks any of this information will comfort the original owners? Give me a break!

When you see that an animal is being abused you call Animal Control to come rescue it. Or you “steal” the dog yourself and get it to safety. Or you do something other than go back to Northern California and try again a year later. That letter made me feel sick to my stomach. I too hope the original owners saw that letter and contact The Malibu Times to contact Elisabeth Binstock, to get the names of the abusers and see them punished. And, Elisabeth, as far as I’m concerned, you are as guilty as the abusers for allowing it to continue unreported.

Kim Ledoux

An open letter to Christi Hogin.

This is to let your know that many people in Malibu are gratified by your efforts as city attorney to do the ethical, honorable and right thing in handling the investigation of alleged City Council campaign violations.

Despite considerable pressure to drop the matter or gloss it over you’ve acted with courage and conviction. I watched a City Council meeting on cable last week and was amazed by your patience, calmness under fire and intelligence. I was also amazed by the hubris of those who attacked you.

Malibu is lucky to have a City Attorney of your caliber.

Jean Craig