VOTE FOR ZUMA JAY: Malibu's Own Runs For City Council

And this is the surf shop he created. This is what Zuma Jay can save.

I have seen what happens when cities throw in the towel and I would hate to see that here. I grew up in Santa Cruz in the 70s and they fought that fight for a long time, but I guess during the Silicon Rush they gave up and now every empty lot in town is being developed. Traffic there is unbelievable and they just tore down the Skyview Drive Inn. One thing that amazes me about Malibu is all those empty lots in the middle of town. That land must be worth a fortune if you built condos there, or strip malls, or anything. But it’s still empty. Is that because of the septic limitations?

That property is worth a fortune if you can build on it, but you can’t build on it if you can’t get water service to it. District 29 recently came to town with their attorneys and said they can’t deliver any more water to Malibu.

Who is District 29?

Los Angeles Municipal Water District. It’s out of LA. Las Virgenes Water District feeds the hillside homes from Calabasas and Los Angeles District 29 feeds PCH,. But there’s a 30 inch main, and can you imagine what it would cost to replace a 30 inch main on PCH?

You are a busy man. You have a surf shop to run and your phone is ringing off the hook, which I assume is Hollywood calling. If you get elected to the City Council, how much of a time commitment is it?

About what I gave to the pier, and now that the pier is open I will have that time.

Are you part of a regime change for the City Council? Is there a fairly conservative, pro-development City council now and are you part of an anti-development wave?

I don’t think the term “conservative City Council leaning toward development” is the proper use there. I think this City Council has attempted to pursue the right course in development. I have to give them a fair shake on that. They have attempted to keep development at a pace that seems fair but in essence and reality if you’ve watched this coast for the last five years and seen how many homes have gone up, and how many large homes have gone up…

So do you think you have a chance of getting elected, or are you too anti-growth?

I would say my chances are not as good as the council-supported candidates.

I have seen mailers and other materials from some of the other candidates and it looks like you are running a kelp-roots campaign against pros.

I have raised about $10,000 and some of the other campaigns are running on $30,000 - $40,000+.

How much does a City Council position pay?

Three thousand dollars a year.

"Righteous bucks!" as Spicoli would say.

But money isn't the point. Protecting and preserving Malibu is the point.