Keepin it cr ystal clear in Malibu
Sorenity Rocks
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. LXXV • NO. LII
SMMUSD, Santa Monica file lawsuit involving voting rights
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
Local Ukrainian-Americans raise funds for critical supplies City Council hits pause on city manager search
Outcome could affect Malibu’s representation in the district By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and the City of Santa Monica have jointly filed a lawsuit that challenges a new law intended to empower disen- Zhenya (left) and Lily Goncharov have been raising money and sending supplies, including the bulletproof vests they're wearing, to friends and family in war-torn Ukraine. Contributed photo franchised voters. This is the latest cating every waking hour for over a urgent need,” Zhenya stated. “My and Zhenya came to this country wrench in Malibu’s struggle for Couple has sent five month to helping their friends and friends were saying, ‘We’re thank- about 15 years ago as an exchange more representation in the district. shipments of helmets, family still in Ukraine stay alive. ful for blankets and food, but we student. The new law (SB442), which was “I couldn’t do my job anyquietly enacted Jan. 1, authorizes the bulletproof vests, medical Their defensive aid is routed to the need gear to protect us from shellmore knowing that my family most dangerous areas of Ukraine ing and flying bullets.’” Los Angeles County Committee kits and more to Ukraine The two professionals — Lily is and friends were in such danger,” that have the most urgent needs. on School District Organization They began focusing their efforts an ICU nurse and Zhenya works Zhenya said emotionally. “Every to approve a proposal to establish By JIMY TALLAL to help on bulletproof vests almost for a biotech firm — have taken other day, I hear about the death trustee areas and elect governing Special to The Malibu Times right away. time off from their jobs and are of someone I know. They need the board members using districtAn extremely exhausted, but “[That is] because of the specific working full-time to help the supplies yesterday. I can’t sleep … based elections without submitting the resolution to the electors of passionately committed young dire requests from my friends on Ukrainian people any way they My grandparents’ house exploded.” the cities of Santa Monica and couple — Lily and Yevhen ("Zhen- the ground, indicating time and can. Both were born in Ukraine, Lily said they’re constantly on CONTINUED ON PAGE A4 ya") Goncharov — have been dedi- time again that this is the most but Lily came to the U.S. as a child, CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
Mayor says city is taking hiatus on the search, while mayor pro tem says he wants to keep process going By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times
While the City of Malibu has been prioritizing fire rebuilds, public safety on highways, and now preparing for the transition to in-person meetings, the search for a permanent city manager has been delayed and left unfilled for nearly a year. CONTINUED ON PAGE A4
INSIDE
this week
Malibu Business Round Table Addresses Community Concerns Topics included increased gas prices, support for small businesses, Coastal Commission and PCH speeding concerns By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times
Charles and Eleanor Potter with the outdoor museum of Potter’s Topanga Trading Post. Photo c/o Barry O. Balin Historical Archives.
Potter’s Topanga Trading Post Part of a series on overlooked Malibu history By PABLO CAPRA Special to The Malibu Times
T
he Malibu Feed Bin’s bright red paint belies the fact that it’s one of the oldest buildings in the area. The business evolved from a 1920s grocery store across the
street, nicknamed “The Skyscraper” because it was the only two-story building at the Topanga intersection. The second floor housed the office of Guy Wade (1880-1979), who managed the Lower Topanga property for the Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC). The store’s longest owner, Charles Potter (1882-1956), took over on July 27, 1929, with George Storns managing. After a landslide shoved the Skyscraper sideways in a 1932 storm, Charles built the low
sturdy building we see today. Guy Wade moved to a hut across the street, but his office soon ended up back on the second floor when the LAAC built a garage under it to house a volunteer fire truck. This is now the right half of the Malibu Feed Bin. Potter’s Store survived the next major storm in 1938, one of the biggest in Los Angeles history, while nearby buildings were flooded or swept away. Over 100 CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
The Malibu Times organized its monthly Business Round Table public meeting in partnership with the Malibu Chamber of Commerce on Friday, which provides members of the community an open, informative and engaging discussion for all to contribute. To start off the meeting, Malibu Chamber of Commerce Membership Coordinator Barbara Burke provided an update on Malibu’s retail, construction, and restaurant businesses. Malibu Chamber of Commerce Board President Chris Wizner stated that some of the concerns he has heard from hotels and local businesses are staff shortages in Malibu. Wizner suggests businesses should help ease the financial stress by providing employee discounts to other restaurants and local businesses. Burke and Wizner also provided a list of events the
Chamber is hosting this month. To see a calendar of events, visit malibu.org/events. As the city sees a decrease in COVID numbers, Interim City Manager Steve McClary said the city is preparing to return to in-person meetings starting with the City Council meeting on May 9, followed by all other commission meetings. McClary also briefly addressed the illegal car show gatherings on Sundays and said the city, with the cooperation from property owners, has stepped up enforcement to address public safety. As for emergency disasters and wildfire preparedness, McClary asked to address any questions to the Public Safety Manager Susan Dueñas regarding any home hardening or hazard tree removal. Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff ’s Acting Capt. Joseph Fender joined the Zoom call and provided an update on traffic and law enforcement and said the department has increased enforcement of speeding, racing and group gatherings. Fender is currently the acting captain until the permanent captain will be chosen later this month. Fender noted that he has CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
Waves Standout Swimmer Wins Arthur Ashe Jr. Award Jenna Sanchez is honored by diversity website for efforts in and out of the pool | B1
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . A2
News Briefs . . . . . . . . A3 • Trancas Country Market body identified • Hit and run crash Monday night • Hunter Biden living in luxury • Other breaking news Record . . . . . . . . . . . A4 • Obituaries Calendar . . . . . . . . . . A5 Real Estate . . . . . . . . A6
Malibu Life . . . . . . . . B1 • Waves Standout Swimmer Wins Award • Malibu’s Volunteers on Patrol Malibu People . . . . . . B2 • More fall out at the Academy Legal Notices . . . . . . . B3 Business & Directory . . B6 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . B7
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . B8 • Sharks Hoopster Headed to Sarah Lawrence College