Council Members Get Behind an Earth Day Oriented toward Youth

BY BILL KOENEKER

The Malibu City Council this week unanimously approved allocating up to $10,000 to put on a special event celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day next year.
The municipal Earth Day project is a collaboration with local youth organizations who are putting together a special presentation on April 22 featuring young local artists from the Young Actors Project, the Malibu Youth Symphony, the Malibu Ballet Society and Eco-Heroes.
The event will be held in the performing arts theater in the new city hall. The opportunity to take part in the performance will be open to all young local artists and talent, according to city officials.
Councilmember Pamela Conley Ulich, who introduced the measure along with Mayor Sharon Barovsky, called on the council to support the endeavor.
Conley Ulich said she was hopeful the event could be broadcast worldwide in an effort to demonstrate the extent of the community of Malibu’s commitment to the environment.
Prospective council candidate Lou La Monte came to the meeting to support the event, but told council members that he would like to see some commercial sponsors. “Is it possible for the event to be revenue neutral?” he asked, while maintaining his support.
Barovsky agreed. “I would like to see if we can get some sponsors,” she said.
Councilmember John Sibert said he was involved in the first Earth day 40 years ago in New Haven and thought the event was a good idea. “I think we could help find sponsors,” he said.