THE MUSIC MAN
SPRING 2024
malibuparkatcrosscreek
M A LIB U ’S AWA RD W INN IN G N E WSPA P E R S I N CE 1 94 6 VOL. LXXVIII • NO. XLI
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
Committee on School District Organization conducts first meeting on board election process
Matt Rapf, Malibu native, dies suddenly on Sunday
Submitted petition proposes SMMUSD switch to Trustee Area voting to select its members
By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
A lifelong resident of Malibu who grew up on the beach in Malibu Colony, Matt Rapf, 61, passed away suddenly on Feb. 4 as he was participating in a paddle out honoring Lyon Herron at Zuma Beach. A local realtor for more than 35 years, Rapf was well-known in the business community and was in the real estate sector since 1983. “I was born and raised in Malibu,” Rapf stated on his website, noting that he learned the real estate business from his mother, Carol Rapf. “My grandfather first settled in the Colony in the 1930s. Locals took to social media to comment on the loss, with many referring to Rapf as a local legend. “Matt was an iconic surfer from a long line of long-time locals,” Steve Lee Woods posted. R apf leaves behind his wife Jill, son Luke, and daughter Chloe. Services have not been announced.
Speed cameras explained by advocate from Fix PCH
Director of Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE) counters arguments against speed cameras By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
It’s an unfortunate statistic making news recently. Traffic accidents killed more people than homicides in Los Angeles last year. Pedestrians made up most of those deaths as we know all too tragically with the deaths of four Pepperdine students in October. A frequent call to help make Pacific Coast Highway, that has seen the deaths of 58 people since 2010, safer is for speed cameras and red-light cameras to be installed in
CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
On Sunday, Feb. 4, family and friends of Lyon Herron attended a paddle-out at Zuma Beach to honor and remember his legacy. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT
Paddle out held at Zuma Beach for Malibu’s own Lyon Herron Old School Malibu remembers one of its own and embraces those he left behind By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
Hundreds gathered at Zuma Beach Tower 10 on a cold rainy morning to commune and share stories about one of Malibu’s own, Lyon Herron, 32, who passed away on Dec. 17. He entered hospice care after fighting a relentless disease he was diagnosed with at the age of 4. As he prepared to transition, Lyon
was supported by loving family and friends. “Today was wrapped up in so many layers of emotion,” said Barbie Herron Conkling, Lyon’s mother. “Lyon started the day off by sending us the most vibrantly magical rainbow.” She referred to a stunningly gorgeous rainbow spanning over the entire expanse of Zuma Beach as the memorial at the beach began.
Beautiful Hawaiian leis were worn by many attendees and some were gently laid on the beach and placed in the ocean, their fragrance adding sweetness to the memorial paddle-out. At Duke’s, where Lyon used to work, an enormous group of locals and some folks who traveled a long way to join the memorial gathered to share and celebrate Lyon’s life. “Lyon had the best nature and
was the most good-hearted person,” Jimmy Chavez, Duke’s manager, said. “I knew him since he was a kid — he was generous and gracious and was a purely positive soul. He was always so humble and so kind.” As attendees entered the reception room, large posters with Lyon’s pictures warmly embraced them. Lyon on his dirt bike, proud and strong. Lyon radiantly smiling CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
Gates Security, a private security company that offers services in Malibu under the moniker Malibu Patrol, has resumed full operations for clients in Malibu and nearby communities, according to the
CONTINUED ON PAGE A10
INSIDE
this week
Malibu Moves plans a half marathon, 10K and 5K events, and a ‘Movement Festival’ after getting permit The event will raise funds to benefit youth organizations, collaborate with local schools
A few weeks have passed since the City Council issued a permit at its Jan. 8 meeting to Malibu Moves, LLC, authorizing that business to host a weekend of running races, including a half marathon, a 5K race and a children’s racing event as well as a series of other movement exper iences to encour age participants of all skill levels to
evaluated the submitted bids. The committee recommended that the contract be awarded to Malibu Race Series, which operated the half marathon event last year under the moniker Run Malibu and was operated by Malibuites Cassidy Case Benadum and her spouse, Blue Benadum. Councilmember Marianne Riggins, an ad hoc subcommittee member, voted against the contract award decision. Malibu Moves is owned by Erica Segel, who moved from (From left) Mikke Pierson, Erica Segal, Kasey Earnest, and Paul Grisanti are shown at last her native Italy in 2011, spent year’s Run Malibu marathon. Photo courtesy Erica Segal five years as a personal assistant turn up and participate. recommendations of its ad hoc in Malibu, and started operating By awarding Malibu Moves subcommittee that administered the half marathon in 2015. CONTINUED ON PAGE A7 the contract, the city rejected the a request for proposals and
company’s CEO, Scott Wagenseller. He explained that the company’s license to operate was suspended for 60 days by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security, and Investigative Services after an administrative hearing on Oct. 17, 2023. The hearing addressed, among other things, an allegation that, by using the term “ranger patrol,” Gates operated so as to give “the impression that it is connected with a federal, state or local law
enforcement.” Among other complaints at issue in the hearing was one made in February 2023 by Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Ranger Walt Young, now retired. Young investigated Gates, reviewing the company’s social media posts. He reported that there was a Gates security employee with the word “Ranger” on the back of his shirt, that some of Gates’ security cars did not have a statement that the cars were available for “security
By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
Gates Security has resumed full operations after an administrative suspension Private firm is appealing suspension handed down after allegation made by MRCA officials
On Jan. 31, Santa Monica College hosted the first of two meetings held by the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization concerning whether to alter the way voters elect members of the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District board. The committee is an independent, 11-member elected body that studies and makes recommendations and decisions on school district organization in Los Angeles County. Currently, all registered voters in Malibu and Santa Monica get to vote for all seven board members in at-large elections alternating election cycles every two years — three of the seven seats are on the ballot in one cycle, and then, four of the seats are
patrol,” and with regard to one of Gates’ vehicles, there appeared to be a long gun on a dashboard. Finally, Young determined that one of Gates’ security personnel was wearing a gold, star-shaped shield with the text “@gs.ranger.patrol out again on trespassing issues.” At a May 2023 BSIS hearing, Young juxtaposed photos of Gates Security cars and vehicles belonging to the U.S. Border Patrol, the Los Angeles Police Department and the California Peace Officers
Association. Administrative law judge Cindy Forman ordered Gates to ensure within 10 days that the company’s vehicles had “Private Security” printed on them. Forman also ordered that a person had to be able to read the lettering with that statement from a distance of 50 feet. She also mandated that no employee was to openly carry a shotgun or rifle while on duty and all guards had to have uniforms CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
‘Ark of the Covenant’ reflects artist’s Ethiopian, Native Indigenous heritage |B1
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 News Briefs . . . . . . . . . .A3 • Homeless Count in Malibu shows significant decline in homelessness Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 • Events Business . . . . . . . . . . . A5 • Las Virgenes Malibu COG a collaborative effort Real Estate . . . . . . . . . A8 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . . .B1 • Winter birds at Legacy Park: Shhhh! Sit calmly and you’ll see them People . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 • En-Trump-eneurs Legal Notices . . . . . . . . .B3 Business & Directory . . . B5 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B5 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . B10 • Sharks girls hoops squad makes playoffs for second straight year