Lending Perspective to the Latest PCH Tragedy

LENDING PERSPECTIVE TO LATEST PCH TRAGEDY

The tragic death of yet another innocent on PCH, this one in wake of the July 4th blowout at the notorious Nobu restaurant, puts into sharp focus Malibu’s commercial conceit and its consequences.

It is this conceit that weighs heavily with the self-deluding lies in the mercenary embrace of hallowed property values, lending a blithe rationale for the support over the year of Malibu’s pro development candidates.

Beyond the election lawn signs and the insincere smiles feigning neighborliness, these questionable local politicians such as Paul Grisanti tend to champion anything that brings more development to Malibu.

How else could he have voted for the recent ignominious motel/hotel proposal?

Grisanti and apparently the avaricious real estate community he purports to represent, obviously believes more development however objectionable translates into more work and profits for themselves and friends; that Malibu is a monopoly board.

Or is it rather a unique coastal village with a benign climate and scenic setting edged by a dramatic ocean and mountains, marked by lush flora and fauna. “A unique land and marine environment,” as Malibu’s Vision Statement declares, with its residents responsible custodians.

That is what I feel lends Malibu true “property values”, an iconic community where one can appreciate the wonders of nature, raise a family, be a good neighbor, be themselves. We do have our individuals, be they surfers, animal lovers, gardeners, bee-keepers, or mah jong players. That is what I feel makes Malibu desirable.

People who move to Malibu to live here I like to think do so not because they might score a table as a rare local, in an obscenely overpriced restaurant where they might see an occasional self-anointed celebrity acting out.

Not, as suggested in a recent FB commentary, for businesses in Malibu such as Nobu, “that pays the highest taxes, that hires the most employees, that raises the public profile of our city, which goes hand-in-hand with increasing our property values."

Really? “Growth is good,” is getting to sound a lot like the present version of that popular past adage, “greed is good.

It should make one think twice before voting in this Fall’s local election, for the ‘growth is good,” candidates. Or the more reasoned and rational candidates, pledged to Malibu’s Mission and Vision statements.