Keepin it spotless in Malibu
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. LI
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
The Malibu Dolphin Charitable Foundation announces 2021 winners
Diverse group of community service stars receive honors By JIMY TALLAL Special to The Malibu Times Nearly 200 Malibu residents showed up on Thursday, March 24, to discuss the armed burglary and reports of a crew of burglars casing homes. Photo by Judy Abel/TMT
Malibu neighborhood mobilizes to fight crime T Huge crowd turns out to share ideas after an armed burglary By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
Nearly 200 people showed up Thursday, March 24, to a meeting of Sunset Mesa neighborhood residents to discuss options for creating safety. The neighborhood was jolted
this week by an armed burglary and reports of a crew of burglars casing homes. The Malibu Times spoke with Joanne Mosconi, who was still rattled after armed burglars broke into her home while she was getting ready for bed March 16. The crew of criminals was spotted on surveillance video peering into her home earlier that evening but didn’t break in until she was home alone. A detective speculated that they may
have broken in when she was alone because sometimes thieves find it advantageous to have a female in the home who may be vulnerable to “show them where the goods are.” Mosconi was in her closet and heard glass shatter, heard intruders just feet away and then ran for her life barefoot in her pajamas to a neighbor. She screamed to call 911. At the same time, another neighbor noticed men breaking into Mosconi’s home. He called police
but failed to get a connection. The burglars saw the neighbor and confronted him with a gun as they fled in their cars. In all the commotion, the criminals were not able to take anything, but they have taken a sense of security from residents. “It’s important to not stay silent because there’s power in community,” Mosconi said. “My community got together and everybody checked their security cameras. CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
he Dolphin Award winners for 2021 have been announced by the Malibu Dolphin Charitable Foundation, the nonprofit organization founded by the former owners of The Malibu Times, Arnold and Karen York. Dolphin recipients receive their awards in the spring of the year following their service. “The Dolphin Award recipients for 2021 represent a diverse group of individuals and organizations who have provided invaluable services to Malibu in almost every area imaginable,” Karen York wrote. ”We are so very fortunate
City Council plans in-person meeting return May 9 Departments have seen a scarcity with staff to maintain meetings; Pierson moves forward with the Goldfarb removal By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times
JO DRUMMOND
Jo Drummond to join the Public Works Commission board Toronto native hopes to be an advocate for public safety and coastal improvement By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times
During the Malibu City Council meeting on March 14, Interim Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Silverstein appointed Jo Drummond to the Public Works Commission. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Jo Drummond has lived in Boston, Colorado and Miami until settling in Los Angeles in 2010. Drummond replaces former Public Works Commissioner James Palmer, who voluntarily resigned last CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
Monday’s City Council voted to let commissions return to in-person meetings after the City Council’s first meeting. The items on the agenda included an update on the Developer Fee Program, Westward Beach Road Improvements Project, the Los Angeles County Measure R and M Transportation Funding, and an update on the Federal Infrastructure Grants. Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Silverstein announced Jo Drummond as the replacement for James Palmer on the Public Works Commission, and the decision to remove commissioner Georgia Goldfarb from the Parks and Recreation board was moved forward by Councilmember Mikke Pierson. To start the meeting, representatives
from the Malibu Foundation, Shea Cunningham and Dean Kubani, presented a guide for SoCal Communities in the Wildland Urban Interface. Cunningham said the project will serve as an actionable guide for regional collaboration by local governments, agencies and individual neighborhoods. The foundation administered a climate vulnerability assessment and received input from 400 residents last year, held hearings and created a catalog that focuses on the community infrastructure in the region. Cunningham said she hopes to organize another emergency preparedness event for the Spanish-speaking population in Malibu like the event that was organized last September. “We’re looking forward to doing this again this year because it is a need we found that most of the population were
not at all aware of a registered form for alert emergency systems,” Cunningham said. “Several of the participants actually lost their jobs because of the Woolsey Fire. This puts a real severe strain on them and their families.” Cunningham said there is a lack of adequate cooling centers in Malibu, with the closest one in Westlake Village. Kubani said local governments need better infrastructure and social resilience and plan for a climate emergency. Interim City Manager Steve McClary provided a city manager update with the water treatment plan, the Public Facilities District meeting on March 16, and the Trancas Canyon Bridge construction. “That project will be going on for some time so we ask for all drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to be safe while moving CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
Monte Nido neighbors unite to crack down on speeders Quiet neighborhood is tired of dangerous racers who’ve caused accidents By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
When the sleepy neighborhood of Monte Nido, tucked right off Malibu Canyon, suddenly became a drag racing destination on the way to Malibu, residents sought to take action. They’ve recently posted signs directing people to report reckless drivers, including a direct line to the California Highway Patrol. Since the signs went up March 18, there’s been a marked drop-off of speeders through the residential area and an
increase in quiet that longtime residents have always enjoyed in their rural surroundings. The Monte Nido Valley Community Association is part of Operation Safe Canyons. It’s a committee coordinated by the Los Angeles County 3rd Supervisorial District under Sheila Kuehl, the California Highway Patrol, Sheriff ’s Traffic Division, and the Department of Public Works, among other participants. Corral Canyon, Stunt Road, Topanga, Tuna Canyon, and other neighborhoods are involved as well
as many bicycle enthusiasts. The group focuses on unincorporated LA County canyons that since the pandemic started to see an uptick in speeding and accidents. Most of Malibu’s canyon communities lie in unincorporated LACO. Because Monte Nido is designated as a “rural village,” most residents are used to the quiet and moved to the out-of-theway location for just that reason. “We’re happy to be a hidden canyon community,” MNVCA President Alicia Gonzales said. CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
to enjoy the contributions and dedication of so many. This is the magic that makes our community so very special!” Awards are given in a number of categories. The Harvey Baskin Award for business will be given to local attorney Ian Roven, who was nominated for assisting many nonprofits, residents, and groups pro bono during the pandemic. He served as past chair and current board member of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce; and has given his time to emcee and chair the Malibu Chamber Women’s Leadership Awards and other events. Community Service Awards were won by Marie Zweig and Stacey Rouse. Rouse is head of Malibu Schools Leadership Council (MSC), which brings all the groups that support Malibu public schools together CONTINUED ON PAGE A10
INSIDE
this week
Malibu’s longest running preschool sees uncertain future; Parents of children who have attended the 40-year-old nonprofit want to keep Children’s Creative Workshop going | B1
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . A2
News Briefs . . . . . . . . A3 • Second dead body found in Malibu in one week • Young mountain lion hit and killed on PCH Calendar . . . . . . . . . . A4 Local News . . . . . . A5, A6 • Blood Drive at Pepperdine Real Estate . . . . . . . . A8
Malibu Life . . . . . . . . B1 • Children’s Creative Workshop coming to an end Malibu People . . . . . . B2 • Oscars!
Malibu Locals. . . . . . . B3 • Broad Street Oyster restaurant
Legal Notices . . . . . . . B5 Business & Directory . . B7 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . B7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . B10