By Michael Travis
News Editor
It’s official – five people will be running for the two spots that will be opening this April on Malibu’s city council.
All of the candidates share concerns about the future development of Malibu and the possibility of constructing a community center.
Robert Roy van de Hoek moved to Malibu in 1999. He is currently a member of the Wetlands Action Network and Sierra Club, and teaches marine biology at Long Beach Community College.
At the council meeting where the candidates recently addressed their intentions to take part in the upcoming election, van de Hoek noted that he is concerned about development in Malibu.
“There is not enough water supply and we have to be concerned about future growth because of that,” he said in a press release.
In addition, he warned that the California Coastal Commision, which is responsible for directing the development of the city, needs to be dealt with carefully.
“Bashing the CCC is not going to get us what we want,” van de Hoek said. “Fight over development, don’t fight the commission.”
Beverly Taki is a 21-year Malibu resident and homeowner. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in education and has sold real estate in Malibu for the past 12 years.
Taki’s platform also deals with the development of the Malibu community. She believes that Malibu residents should play an active role in future projects in the city.
At this time, the California Coastal Commission is doing all the planning.
“If all else fails, the city may have to file a lawsuit to protect the interests of the residents of Malibu,” Taki said.
She also aims to improve recreational and civic opportunities for the city’s older and younger residents.
Andrew Stern, the third candidate for the council, has lived in Malibu for more than 10 years.
He has practiced law since 1977, and believes this knowledge may prove to be an advantage as a member of the city council.
“As a lawyer, you see things that other people may not see,” Stern said.
He was appointed to the city Planning Commission in 1998, serving as chairperson twice since that time.
He is currently the vice chair of the Los Angeles County Beach Commission, a position which he has held for six years. He was appointed by L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.
“In the next four years, the decisions that our elected leaders make will shape the future of our city for decades,” Stern said in his campaign statement. “Therefore it is essential we elect candidates who have a proven record of experience, fairness, integrity and leadership.”
John Wall is a retired business executive who has lived in Malibu for 40 years.
He has raised four kids in the city, playing an active role in the Malibu community during that time.
He has chaired Malibu’s Economic Plan and Flood Mitigation Plan Advisory Committees, as well as serving as Public Works commissioner.
As a council member, his goal would be to “keep Malibu a beautiful and safe rural community.”
In addition, he wants to bring back the public’s confidence in city officials through clarifying the laws of the community.
“The General Plan is out of date and it needs to be updated,” Wall told the Malibu Times. “I think I can help.”
Sharon Barovsky is the only candidate on the ballot with previous City Council experience.
She was elected in 2000. It is this experience that will be a cornerstone of her campaign.
“Working with outside agencies, we applied for and received $7 million in grant money,” she said.
Barovski has been a resident of Malibu for 30 years. She is a published writer and a schoolteacher.
She has served the community in numerous ways, as a former member of the General Plan Task Force and Civic Center Advisory Committee.
Like the other candidates, Barovski believes that this is a crucial time for Malibu, both politically as well as developmentally.
“We are at a critical junction and the issues of local control are paramount,” Barovski said.
“Should negotiations fail to bring forward an LCP acceptable to Malibu residents, I will seek any and all remedies that will preserve Malibu’s right to control its own destiny,” she added.
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Photo by Jennifer Flannery
CITY HALL: Five candidates will vie for the two spots on Malibu’s city council which will be open this April.
January 31, 2002