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The Malibu Times The Malibu Times NEWS PA PER • MAGAZ I NE • O NL I NE
NEW S PAPER • MAGAZINE •ONLINE Malibu’s Award-Winning Community Paper Since 1946
VOL. LXXVI • NO. VII
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2022
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
Malibu High School 2022 graduating class ‘Destined for greatness’ Residents raise concerns in regards to Woolsey fire rebuilds Council addressed the California Coastal Commission concerns in regards to Rebuild Option 4 By SAMANTHA BRAVO and HAYLEY MATTSON Of The Malibu Times
The Malibu City Council met virtually on Monday for the first time since May 23, and addressed the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23, provided an update on the Woosley fire rebuilds and addressed community concerns with the California CoastCONTINUED ON PAGE A10
The ‘Chocolate Stop’ returns to Malibu Candy handouts are an amusing diversion for bicyclists participating in the AIDS/LifeCycle event By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
On the last day of a grueling seven-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, it must be a real treat to receive chocolate candies from costumed revelers cheering your efforts. That’s what happened on June 11 as the unofficial “Chocolate Stop” returned to Malibu after a two-year pandemic hiatus. It made for a colorful and delicious near-end for riders bicycling in 2022’s AIDS/LifeCycle Ride. Formerly called the California AIDS Ride, the fundraising event began in 1994 to raise money and awareness for AIDS-related causes. Specifically, the millions raised over the years funds the work of
(Left) Malibu High School Class of 2022 shares smiles and thumbs up during the graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 8. (Top Right) SMMUSD Board Member Craig Foster hands out diplomas to Malibu High School students during this years graduation ceremony. (Bottom Right) Students Noah Redclay (left) and Justin Higginbotham (right) gave memorable speeches during the Malibu High School graduation on Wednesday, June 8. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT
Malibu community, faculty, family, and friends honor 117 students
dred and seventeen students walked on the athletic field for the final time on Wednesday, June 8, and accepted their diplomas. The school’s 27th class only spent one full year of their high school careers on campus By SAMANTHA BRAVO due to the Woolsey fire in 2018 and Of The Malibu Times the COVID-19 pandemic. Tassels were moved and caps were “For those of you who had a hard thrown for the Malibu High School time getting here today after a chalgraduating Class of 2022. One hun- lenging, disruptive and even scary
last four years, congratulations — you did it, you’re here,” Malibu High School Principal Patrick Miller said. “Despite the missed time on campus, I know they leave here having learned about a lot of things, leave here better people and continue to represent Malibu.” Those in attendance were Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education and the
City of Malibu leaders such as Mayor Paul Grisanti, councilmembers Karen Farrer and Mikke Pierson, and City Manager Steve McClary. Speeches filled with memories and wisdom were shared from ASB President Linda Morazon and Lolitta Reynlib. Students Noah Redclay and Justin Higginbotham gave memorable speeches that left the crowd laugh-
Coastal Commission staff leans toward denying Malibu’s Hosted Short-Term Rental Ordinance Commission willing to work with the city on modifications to meet their approval
By JIMY TALLAL Special to The Malibu Times
Malibu’s Short-Term Rental Unit Hosted Ordinance, which was passed by the city on Nov. The crew at the “Chocolate Stop” in Malibu wait to hand off chocolate candy to participants 23, 2020, requires an onsite host of the AIDS/Lifecycle Ride on Saturday, June 11. Photo by Julie Ellerton/TMT during short-term rentals (STRs), among a list of other items. The San Francisco AIDS Founda- Bennett had been a two-time rider city then amended its Local tion and the Los Angeles LGBT and three-time roadie who helps Coastal Program (LCP) and Center to provide free HIV/ riders, whose teaching career no AIDS medical care, testing and longer allowed her to participate prevention services. According to in the time-consuming training its mission, bicyclists raise funds and event. However, she still wantand awareness to end the stigma ed to participate in some way, she surrounding HIV/AIDS, grow wrote in an email, because “I know Prosecutors say he activism, and honor those who what it’s like riding so many miles scammed the Paycheck have passed from AIDS-related and so many hills every day and I causes all while providing a posi- know what an incredible treat it is Protection Program tive, life-affirming experience for to be rewarded by strangers with and Economic Injury people affected by the disease. goodies. I knew the riders would However, a seven-day, 545-mile appreciate a little sweetness to Disaster loan programs bike ride is tiring, especially on keep them going until the lunch By JIMY TALLAL the last day and especially after stop.” Special to The Malibu Times slogging up a steep incline. So, in Bennett and her pals started out an effort to boost spirits, provide their nearly two-decade unofficial An Orange County man pled caloric energy, and just have fun, stop handing out chocolates guilty after federal prosecutors said a volunteer named Lisa Bennett at Pacific Coast Highway and he received more than $5 million organized what’s become known Emily Shane/Heathercliff Drive, in COVID-19 relief loans for three as the “Chocolate Stop” in Mali- where cyclists have just finished fake shell companies. Raghavenbu on the last leg of the journey. CONTINUED ON PAGE A8 der Reddy Budamala, 35, used
Land Use Plan (LUP) accordingly and submitted those changes to the California Coastal Commission (CCC) for approval before the “hosted” ordinance could officially go into effect. The reason for the “hosted” ordinance in the first place was due to residents’ concerns with the amount of STRs in Malibu. To the point where locals felt neighborhoods were being transformed, housing for actual residents and newcomers was becoming more scarce and expensive, and even CONTINUED ON PAGE A10
Man pleads guilty in case involving $5M in fraudulent COVID loans the sham companies to apply for Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster loans, according to the plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court on June 3. Budamala pled guilty to one count each of money laundering and bank fraud; and agreed to give all of his “ill-gotten gains” back to the government. His lawyer, Diane C. Bass, told news sources she had no comment on the case. According to the plea agreement, CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
ing and smiling. “The path to each and every one of our successes is different. There is no paved plan; instead, an infinite ocean,” Redclay said. “But don’t fear this unknown, embrace it. Life is whatever you want to make it. With drive, ambition, love, and passion, no mountain is too high.” Guests enjoyed speeches from CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
INSIDE
this week
Malibu Middle School Class of 2022 Celebrates Promotion to High School | B1
Opinion . . . . . . . . . .A2 News Briefs . . . . . . . .A3 • Point Dume gas station clerk shot; suspect abandons vehicle Calendar . . . . . . . . . .A4 Local News. . . . . . . . .A6 • Local Rex Lewis-Clack is lead musician in upcoming LA premiere of “The Braille Legacy” Real Estate . . . . . . . . A8 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . B1 • Comforting sights and sounds with ‘BambinO’ Malibu People . . . . . . . B2 • After nearly two-year wait, Mary Poppins receives the award of her life in AFI gala Education . . . . . . . . . B3 Legal Notices . . . . . . . B3 Business & Directory . . B5 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . B5 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . B8 • Inspirational athletes honored by MHS Booster Club