Skylar Peak supporters rally near Malibu.
You’re about to get good at a whole bunch of things: Dealing with difficult people, thinking on your feet, speaking fast and clear, absorbing a great deal of information and making decisions you stick to. You’re going to have an appreciation of Obama and those dudes in Parliament and all politicians when you’re done. Do you have any politicians you look up to – local, national or global. That Tony Blair chap was awfully good. And to me, Obama is like the Kobe Bryant of politics.
Obama. In addition, I look up to former council members and those that have taken the time to serve our communities on a local and national level across the country. It’s about getting people involved and working together and using a round table.
Was it harder and more expensive and time consuming than you thought?
Well my expectations were high. I had to pour energy and time into it. I made a big effort to meet with community leaders on both sides of issues and really try to be open-minded before I made my positions on things. And yes, it was expensive and took time away from surfing.
Did you get any advice from Zuma Jay?
I met and talked with many former and all of the current council members. Zuma Jay has done many positive things for Malibu.
Would you classify your election as a “landslide?”
I don’t know about that, but it turned out all right.
How much did it cost you, on and off the books?
About $35K but I raised the money. The time is what crushed me. I wasn’t able to work for 4 months.
How much of a time commitment every week do you think City Council will be? Zuma Jay said it will be at least two days.
20-40 hours.
Are you on any committees yet? Which committees do you want to be on? Skate park? Lagoon? Traffic?
ZORACES, Skate Park, Lagoon, and maybe public safety.
Sorry, what is ZORACES?
Zoning Ordinance Revisions and Code Enforcement Sub-Committee
I hear a lot of sound and fury that there is some pro-development cabal within the city of Malibu or on the City Council, but it seems to me Malibu is the most anti-development city in coastal SoCal, SoCal in general, Cal in general and maybe the world. Will you expose this secret, pro-development star chamber if there is one?
I want to be an open book for people and a voice for our community. Often the traffic in Malibu is out of control on weekends and summer days. The City of Malibu has strict building regulations that have been put forth since the day the city became a city. In my personal opinion, the codes have allowed Malibu to be Malibu and not look like other Southern California beach towns.
Did people start contacting you as soon as you were elected? Before? I mean, your phone rings off the hook anyway, but you might have to get two phones now: Sicky Dicky and Peak Power Electric phone, and City Council phone.
Yes, I am rather busy but still find time for surfing.
Do you have an opinion yet on what should be done with Malibu Lagoon?
I am not able comment on it, because it is going to come before us.
So here is a broad question. Let’s say you were given Absolute Power over Malibu and anything you ordered had to be carried out. What would you do re:
Malibu Lagoon: That’s a $100M fix
Traffic and safety on PCH: More officers, right hand turn lanes, extended left hand turn lanes, better signage, center dividers or quik kurb, marked bike lanes, etc…
Development in the Cross Creek area: Doesn’t look like we need it and many residents I have heard from don’t want it. I hope we get more park space.
The zoning for chain stores and local businesses: I am not super stoked on chain stores.
The skate park: Where would you place it and what would it look like? First one at Bluffs park then not sure yet.
