‘Incredible’ Power Grab By Joe Edmiston At The MRCA
Written by 991KBU on March 30, 2020
NOTE THIS STORY WAS BROADCAST MONDAY MORNING. IT IS NOW OUT OF DATE. IT WILL BE UPDATED TUESDAY MORNING.
An incredible power grab by Joe Edmiston.
That’s the description by some Malibu activists of an item that suddenly appeared on the agenda for the Mountain recreation conservation authority … the MRCA.
The powerful parks agency isn’t locked in a legal battle with some Malibu residents over taking over private driveways for use as public trail accessways.
The MRCA has a board meeting scheduled via computers today.
Over the weekend … an item was added to the agenda that would give MRCA Executive Director Joe Edmiston emergency powers due to the COVID 19 disaster.
The resolution would authorize the Executive Director to take action to modify, suspend, or postpone rules and regulations.
The one man power would extend to all MRCA Business … as well as that of its sister organization … the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
It would postpone contract conditions, and other rules and regulations respecting the business affairs of the Conservancy … as Joe Edmiston determines to be necessary … during the course of the COVID-19 state of emergency.
Barry Haldeman .. a Malibu resident and longtime critics of the MrCA … calls it an incredible power grab.
Haldeman notes that the agency has millions of dollars of sttae grants … in addition to another 8.1 mIllion dollar grant it is getting this month for more land acquisition.
Another Malibu resident … Elizabeth Stephens … says the apparent power grab appears to allow the Executive Director of the MRCA to do whatever he wants with the money; no strings!
Haldeman says this resolution must be debated extensively and not slipped through in the midst of a pandemic when the entire world is worried about life and death.
Says Stephens … this is an example of never letting a crisis go to waste!
The MRCA does not return phone calls from KBUU.
