The sparks are flying this spring in one of the most exciting— and unpredictable— elections in Malibu history.
Mayor Sharon Barovsky and councilmember Andy Stern are termed-out making them both ineligible for reelection and opening up two seats on the Malibu City Council.
The 10 candidates— nine men and one woman none of who are incumbents— are fighting for two spots April 13 which also makes this year’s election the largest for the city in more than a decade.
The candidates are: Ed Gillespie Harold Greene Matthew Katz Kofi Lou La Monte John Mazza Laura Rosenthal Steven William Scheinkman Michael Sidley and Jan Andrew Swift.
The majority of the current city council members support Laura Rosenthal and Lou La Monte who work together on the Public Works Commission.
The majority of the current council’s critics support candidates Steven William Scheinkman and John Mazza who are also running as a team.
With 10 candidates splitting the votes none of these council hopefuls are very confident about which— if either of these two teams— will win.
The contenders have the same goal—bringing good government to Malibu—but would bring something different to the table if elected.
Rosenthal a Malibu resident of more than 20 years has a doctorate degree from USC. She is considered a frontrunner in the council race because of her high-profile endorsements from such organizations as the Malibu Times and the Malibu Chamber of Commerce and is known for her school activism including fighting for temporary lights at Malibu High School’s athletic field and advocacy of youth programs.
La Monte a former member of the Viewshed Protection Task Force said his first priority is to improve water quality in Malibu. La Monte said he also favors adding California Highway Patrol enforcement to Pacific Coast Highway.
Scheinkman a retired business executive hopes to create a long-range financial plan for Malibu prioritizing major issues of fire safety water quality and traffic issues.
Mazza vice chair of the Malibu Planning Commission received an MBA degree from USC and the other endorsement from the Malibu Times. He also favors a master financial plan to manage the city’s debt.
Gillespie current member of the Planning Commission and former president of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce is the owner of Malibu Yacht Brokerage. He hopes to put public safety first by making Malibu more “fire safe.”
Greene a UCLA graduate and candidate for city council in 1996 plans to implement a view restoration ordinance to protect primary views from property landscaping.
Katz has been a Malibu resident for 35 years. Katz hopes to improve the city’s finance and believes the most important issues are public safety water ecology clean air ocean and water.
Kofi a record producer has lived in Malibu for 20 years. He hopes to improve quality of life and greater well-being of all residents. Kofi also hopes to inspire youth involvement in acts of service.
Sidley a Malibu native hopes to pass the view protection and restoration ordinance. He also hopes to find a solution to the septic ban that won’t bankrupt the city.
Swift who was born and raised in Malibu could not be reached for comment.
During election years the month of March is always the busiest for council hopefuls ever since the April election format began in 1992.
Candidates have attended a number of forums and have hosted at local venues including the Point Dume Community Association the Paradise Cove Homeowners Association and one sponsored by students at Malibu High School.
Hot topics at the forums include the creation of the view-shed ordinance the proposed ban on septic systems in the Civic Center and the surrounding area by the Regional Water Quality Control Board the field lighting at Malibu High and the temporary reduction of rent payment granted by the city to the owners of the Malibu Lumber Yard mall among others.
Malibu elections are known for rancor with chargers and counter-charges and this election is no exception.
In a recent election forum hosted by the Malibu Township Council candidates attacked the current council for rude behavior toward public speakers.
Councilmember Andy Stern responded to the criticism by calling the sitting council’s behavior a response to accusations and lies.
Candidates were also pressed at the forum to address the issue of temporary lighting for sporting events at Malibu High School by both stating their positions on the issue and how many nights a year it should be allowed if any.
Katz stated his opposition to the lights and received criticism for vocalizing his opinion about the quality of the school’s football team.
According to resident Ron Vandor e-mails have been circulating from a fictitious “Coalition of Concerned Parents accusing candidates of being anti-family and anti-children. The e-mails allegedly include lies about the candidates and their stances on current issues.
These are just a few of the many under-the-table blows and alleged dirty tricks that always seem to punctuate Malibu City Council elections.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day, which is Tuesday, April 13. All vote-by-mail applications must be received by the City Clerk no later than April 6.
