For Whom The Bell Tolls – The Santa Monica Mountains

By Robert Lia – Saratoga Hills
“First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

Those haunting words were initially attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller and ultimately to Ernest Hemmingway. Sadly they can apply today to our beloved Santa Monica Mountains and it’s significant ridge-lines which are now on a “doomsday list” as a result of actions by the Calabasas City Council. who just recently approved construction on a significant ridge-line in a 3 – 2 vote in the face of overwhelming evidence that the project should not be approved as proposed. Council members Fred Gaines, James Bozajian and David Shapiro cast the deciding votes.

Fred Gaines is running for reelection along with Alicia Weintraub a Planning Commissioner who also voted to approve the ridge-line project. Unsurprisingly, the dashing duo was endorsed by Council members Bozajian and Shapiro. At the apogee of hypocrisy, Fred is running on a program to stop over development. This from the man who is spearheading the drive to bring three and possibly four hotels to Calabasas and to destroy the view shed of the mountains to the east of Las Virgenes and Agoura Roads.

Over development is in the eye of the beholder and unquestionably in Fred’s eye view there is no limit. In order to save our beloved Santa Monica Mountains these people must be stopped. The election of Steve Roseman to City Council is a giant step in the right direction. Join me in electing Steve to the Calabasas City Council.
Shared with Saratoga Hills/Ranch + 6 nearby neighborhoods in General