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With the New Year come major developments in Malibu politics and new candidates in the city council election to be held April 11.
Election sign ups ended Friday and according to the City Clerk’s Office candidates include Ed Gillespie, Ryan Embree, John Mazza and another individual awaiting verification.
Andy Stern and Sharon Barovsky are also both incumbents running for a second term.
However, there is quite a controversy surrounding council member Barovsky. Recently, Malibu Coast Land Conservancy President Steve Uhring questioned Barovsky’s right to run in this year’s election because of the two-term limit.
In 2000, after the death of her husband, council member Harry Barovsky, Sharon was appointed to the council. She was re-elected in April 2002. While Uhring contended that a statement from former City Attorney Richard Terzian about the two-term limit applies to Sharon’s campaign, Mayor Andy Stern is siding with Sharon.
“I have endorsed her, and I will try everything I can to get her elected” Stern said.
Sharon has maintained her right to run and is beginning her campaign.
“The law is clear. It states that anyone can run for two full four-year terms,” Sharon said.
Sharon said she would like to continue serving the community as a councilmember while achieving many goals set forth by her husband.
“Ironically, tonight is my anniversary, and I think he would have been proud of my attempts to fulfill his vision,” Sharon said of her husband Tuesday in an e-mail statement.
Malibu city council members rotate positions every year.
Sharon said she will run a positive campaign.
“I will not engage in personal attacks, but focus on what needs to be done in Malibu. More parks, better water quality, additional recreational opportunities, and an improved library and cultural arts facility” Sharon said.
In April, Mayor Pro Tem Ken Kearsley will become mayor of the five-member council, which includes Stern, Sharon, Jeff Jennings and Pamela Conley Ulich.
Mayor Stern, who was elected in 2002, will focus his campaign on the past achievements and current successes of the council.
“I think I have a great record. I think this council has a great record — a council that gets along and seeks out solutions to achieve amazing goals,” Stern said.
One such goal is the approval of the $25 million purchase of the Chili Cook-Off site of 2005. Malibu Bay Company is selling the land, which will most likely be used to build a water treatment facility.
“I want to continue with that tremendous success,” Stern said of the council’s purchase.
The Chili Cook-Off deal and the purchase of a portion of Bluff’s Park, both in escrow, will figure prominently in the council’s agenda and candidates are discussing the issue.
“I would like to see the completion of the building of the park and the implementation of our clean water project which will address the pollution in Malibu Creek, Lagoon, and Surfrider Beach” Sharon said.
While some are supporting the water treatment project, others are concerned about the idea, including Chamber of Commerce board member Ed Gillespie.
“I think it will be good that Malibu has this property. I’m a little bit concerned about having a water treatment plant in downtown Malibu” Gillespie said.
Gillespie has specific ideas for the council and said he will outline them during his campaign. His current Chamber of Commerce board membership will have an impact on his decisions if elected.
“I feel I’ll be a voice of reason being a business member and a businessman here in Malibu” Gillespie said.
Candidates in the 2006 election will be the first to run after the recent approval of an increased maximum campaign contribution law. Until last year, campaign contributions were limited to $100 per person, but they can now reach $250.
Independent expenditures are not limited to this amount, so local politicians aren’t too concerned about the new law.
“One problem was in last election there was much more spent through independent expenditure. That causes an imbalance in the contributions” Stern said.
The current city council will continue with its duties and will hold regular weekly meetings until the April election. Meetings are held at Malibu City Hall.
Submitted 01-19-2006
MALIBU, CA
