On February 3, 2012, Moms-Pod issued a challenge to Malibu City Council Candidates. We asked the candidates, once you covered the minimal costs of a couple fliers, ads and signs, why do you need to raise more money? Why not start revolutionary campaigns, where if Malibu citizens want to contribute to your campaigns, they could look around Malibu and give to a cause that tugs at their heart. Maybe it’s the California Wildlife Center, the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, the Shark Fund, the Children’s Lifesaving Foundation, the Emily Shane Foundation or some other local charity? Every supporter of your campaign can register how much time/money people who support you lend to the cause of their choice, then you can show that your campaign will and did make Malibu better regardless of the outcome of the election in April. (See http://malibu.patch.com/blog_posts/challenge-to-malibu-council-candidates)
Only 20 days later, Malibu Patch and Moms-Pod hosted the first great Malibu Debate where it was anything but politics as usual. Many of the candidates not only accepted the challenge, but embraced the concept and have begun revolutionary campaigns.
The debate took place at Malibu City Hall in the Zuma room with standing room only. On the one hand, we had the regular Malibu activists, including members of Preserve Malibu, Save Malibu Lagoon and A Safer PCH, but there were many new faces. I looked around and saw teens and toddlers, mothers, fathers, sons and many surfers – all concerned citizens who shared a deep love for Malibu. What started out as a croweded night, got down right hot when the questions began to roll.
The seven candidates sitting in the hot seats, in ballot order, are Hamish Patterson, carpenter; Skylar Peak, business owner; Hans Laetz, reporter/environmental analyst; Andy Lyon, Realtor/actor; Joan House, retired teacher; K. “Missy” Zeitsoff, teacher; and John W. Sibert, scientist/administrator.
If you were at the debate, we would love to get your feedback. If you were not at the debate, you can view the debate at the Malibu Patch website. Three people will be left standing after April 10, 2012. Who will they be?
We want to hear from you – MALIBU!
Thanks for organizing it, Pamela, Jonathan and jessica. It was my first debate ever, as a debater and not a reporter. That was very, very strange. Thanks to all who attended, and to those who will watch it when they post it.
I thought it was a great debate and the focus of preserving Malibu was on the front lines. Road safety and improving our roads was also an important topic discussed. It was great to see all the candidates remark on each question. Sewers, septic systems, development, land use, and education were among the issues that came up. I urge people of this community to get involved and hear what the candidates have to say and where they stand on these topics. It was an eye opener. I thought SKYLAR was fabulous. Awesome to see the youth care so much for their future.
Who are you voting for?