10 Candidates Vie for Two City Council Seats on April 13 Ballot

• Wide Field of Diverse Hopefuls Starts Off with Discussion on Whether to Hold More Debates

BY BILL KOENEKER

No sooner had the Malibu City Clerk issued an email with a list of the individuals who successfully filed nominating papers for the two city council seats up for grabs in the April 13 election, than council hopeful Mike Sidley issued a challenge to all of the candidates to a series of weekly debates.
The individuals, whose nomination papers signatures were verified as legitimate voters in the City of Malibu, making them qualified as candidates are Ed Gillespie, Harold Greene, Matthew Katz, Kofi, Lou La Monte, John Mazza, Laura Rosenthal, Steve Scheinkman, Mike Sidley, and Jan Swift. Friday, Jan. 15, was the last day that council hopefuls could file nomination packets with the city clerk.
Regan Schaar, Walt Keller and Makan Delrahim took out packets but did not return filing papers. Keller, who said he would not return his packet if he found two candidates to endorse, indicated he had found two such council hopefuls. Schaar said she could not run at this time.
Matthew Katz was the only new individual who returned his nomination packet and was deemed qualified to run. The nine others have been discussed as potential candidates in previous issues.
Katz is a longtime Malibu Park resident who can regale visitors with his activities in the ’60s, when he was involved with the business affairs and management of several counterculture rock bands. His tales of representing himself pro per in successful litigation with those same well-known bands is viewed by some as nearly legendary.
Mike Sidley, who made the call for weekly debates in emails to candidates, as well as a press release, said his “challenge” was issued because he had identified the need of Malibu voters to hear from each of the candidates in their own words on how they plan to deal with the important issues facing the city.
“With a field as crowded and diverse as this one, only through weekly debates can the voters of Malibu get a true picture of each candidate and where they stand on the issues,” said Sidley in his prepared statement. “These debates will give the voters of Malibu a true picture of how these candidates will govern in the future”
Sidley suggested a roster of subjects, which he said should be dealt with in each debate. These include: view protection and the encroachment of the proposed view protection ordinance, septic tank ban, support for public schools and the upcoming parcel tax, transportation, public safety and government waste,
Some of the candidates were quick to respond via email and like Sidley sent copies to the local press.
Lou la Monte wrote back that he looked forward “to having a civil debate on the issues facing Malibu.” The Big Rock resident reminded Sidley there are many organizations that conduct candidates forums and asked if Sidley is contemplating additional debates, who would oversee them and what would be the format.
“As you know there are usually a series of established candidate forums sponsored by community organizations during the campaign, and I intend to participate in all that I can,” wrote La Monte.
In an email sent to Sidley signed by candidates John Mazza and Steve Scheinkman, who are running on a slate, the two suggested there may be other community groups organizing forums and a wait-and-see approach might be best.
“Rather than jumping the gun, we suggest we give these groups, as well as others that might want to hold a forum, the opportunity to plan and schedule their event. After all, it should be the voters not us who decide the venue, the rules and the issues they would like us to address,” they said.
The Mazza/Scheinkman email indicated that some Malibu High School students are trying to put together a forum. An MHS program might give the home court advantage to Scheinkman, who is well known at the high school, as well as Sidley, whose wife Wendy is president of the MHS PTSA and Laura Rosenthal, who maintains contacts at the school because of her activist role in school district issues and push for a separate Malibu school district.
Rosenthal was somewhat more specific in her answer, suggesting the present number of forums is adequate. “I think that is the most appropriate venue to debate the issues. However, I would love to sit down with you anytime, have a cup of coffee and discuss our city, the issues and our thoughts,” she answered.
In contrast to the other candidates, Ed Gillespie said he was ready to participate in every debate that is scheduled. “Count me in. Let me know where and when,” he replied to Sidley.
Some candidates started their print advertising campaigns this week, while Mazza/Scheinkman several weeks earlier posted a video on the Internet.