Letter to the Editor: An Open Letter to Our Neighbors

Bonnie and I are voting NO on Measure R

We are told the Measure is to keep out chain stores and make big development subject to a vote.

As to the former, why should competition be restricted? If the chains can deliver goods and services at less cost, why shouldn’t we, the consumers, have that benefit?

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As for development, I have been a Malibu resident for 48 years and can attest to the plethora of rules and regulations governing development. It is inconceivable any project will not receive meticulous scrutiny.

If passed, Measure R will ensure Malibu [i.e., we, the taxpayers] the expense of conducting elections and the expense of the ensuing litigation. I am a recovering trial lawyer; more than 40 years in the courts tell me litigation will follow. I have taught for 15 years at Pepperdine’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, teaching ways to try and avoid litigation.

Further, I am offended by the overwhelming money being contributed to the YES side. As of last week, NO was being outspent 6 to 1. It appears likely that will rise to 10 -1 or more before this is over. [At Ralph’s today, there were 4 or 5 YES proponents, wearing matching yellow T-shirts, handing out color brochures.]

And then there are the dirty tricks. Driving down PCH past Carbon Canyon heading towards Pepperdine, I would see a lot of signs for YES and for NO. Then the next day, the NO signs have disappeared. The Yes signs remain untouched. This has happened repeatedly.

Finally, the clincher as to why Measure R is not a good idea. I never agree with Arnold York on anything, until now: NO on R.

Cordially,

Dick Coleman

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