Malibu Council Candidates Debate Candidates' Day

MALIBU, CA — Malibu City Council candidates debated whether or not they should attend a Candidate's Day at the Malibu Farmer's Market in October.

In a group email shared with Patch Tuesday, candidate Bruce Silverstein questioned the wisdom of holding any kind of event that would attract large groups of people in the midst of a pandemic. Silverstein, an attorney, copied an email he received an email from city Planning Director Bonnie Blue informing him that Candidate's Day would take place on Oct. 11, and candidates could purchase booths.

"In an ordinary year, a 'Candidate's Day' at the Farmers Market would make perfect sense, and would also provide the Cornucopia Foundation with a potential additional revenue source from the rental of booths to candidates, as is offered below," Silverstein wrote.

"This is not, however, an ordinary year, and I am shocked to learn that the City has granted permission to hold a paid political event at the Farmers Market in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic — especially since Ms. Blue previously had stated that such an event would fall outside of the Farmers Market [Conditional Use Permit.]"

Silverstein copied an email correspondence between Blue and Farmers' Market Director Debra Bianco in which Bianco asked Blue if such an event would jeopardize the market's CUP.

"We are coming to you because we want to ensure this will not affect our conditional use permit," Bianco wrote. "As far as we know, there’s nothing in it that states we cannot host such an event. We also want to make sure this will not affect our non-profit status, as we will not be taking a stance towards one candidate or another, rather we will give them all an equal forum to discuss their ideas."

Blue replied that while candidates can meet people and hand out campaign materials, a candidate's event would not be acceptable. Later, Bianco told the Malibu Surfside News that Oct. 11 would not be an "event," but a chance for candidates to meet the public while following social distancing guidelines.

Blue's later email to candidates, which billed the event as "Candidate's Day" stated that they must wear a mask, adhere to LA County COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, and not solicit outside their booths. A tent, tablecloth, chair and set-up provided by the Farmers Market cost $400, and $100 if the candidate sets up themselves.

In the email, other candidates agreed with Silverstein. "Not sure how this came back around ... seemed we all agreed not to," wrote realtor Andy Lyon. "And then to be sent an email that it’s on along with a few schedule for buying a table there shows where this is coming from. Not going."

"Even if the risk is minimal why do it?" wrote candidate Mark Wetton. "In this electronic age, citizens can tune in to the various Zoom forums that are open to all and certainly view our websites and read our interviews in the Malibu Times and Surfside News. I miss the personal interaction as much if not more than anyone but let’s all be part of the solution not the problem.

"This type of event is not very productive for candidates such as ourselves," wrote Doug Stewart, For these reasons I appreciate the offer, but I will pass on doing the candidate program."

Incumbent Rick Mullen, who recently voted against a $50 mask fine in Malibu, told the Surfside News that he thinks the public is well-educated enough on COVID that it wouldn't present a problem.

Similarly, realtor Paul Grisanti told the Surfside News that he feels comfortable enough with social distancing guidelines for it not to be an issue.

Planning Committee member Steve Uhring also felt that he did not have a problem with such an event, saying that the event will be similar to supermarkets.

Vice Chair of the Public Works Commission Lance Simmens, on the other hand, told the Surfside News that he "could not live with myself if my political ambitions resulted in sickness or worse to others."