Paul Shoop

Dana has made serious allegations regarding the integrity of the public hearing process and the commission's vote on the Malibu Local Coastal Plan. If Dana, an elected county official, has made unfounded allegations questioning the conduct of a state agency, then, upon proper proof of the falsity of the allegations, he should be asked to retract and apologize. If, on the other hand, his allegations are correct, then those responsible should be asked to resign forthwith, and any improper action should be reversed and redirected on an orderly, lawful course.

The squeaky-clean image that County Supervisor Maria VanderKolk has projected during her first year in office, largely the result of doing nothing, has collapsed under the disclosure that her campaign promises were pure deception.

The squeaky-clean image that County Supervisor Maria VanderKolk has projected during her first year in office, largely the result of doing nothing, has collapsed under the disclosure that her campaign promises were pure deception.

A land-use attorney who spent $33,700 of his own money topped the list of campaign spenders in a losing bid to gain a seat on Malibu's future City Council. Paul Shoop, who declined to accept campaign contributions en route to a 10th-place finish among 30 candidates in the June election, spent nearly three times as much as top vote-getter Walt Keller, according to records filed with the county.

A land-use attorney who spent $33,700 of his own money topped the list of campaign spenders in a losing bid to gain a seat on Malibu's future City Council. Paul Shoop, who declined to accept campaign contributions en route to a 10th-place finish among 30 candidates in the June election, spent nearly three times as much as top vote-getter Walt Keller, according to records filed with the county.

One of the largest parcels of raw land suitable for commercial development in Malibu has hit the market, drawing interest from investors around the world. The asking price is $14 million. The 9.2-acre site known as the Wave Property is on La Paz Lane off of Civic Center Way, adjacent to the Los Angeles County Courthouse and the county library. The seller is a partnership that is dissolving by court order and the land is an asset that must be sold, according to real estate brokerage Colliers International.

$28-Million Verdict Against Transamerica A Los Angeles jury hit the former Transamerica Insurance Co. with the bad-faith verdict Tuesday for failing to make good on surety bonds after the contractor on a Malibu condominium project went bust.

A land-use attorney has spent $23,448 of his own funds to top the list of campaign spenders thus far among candidates for City Council in Malibu's incorporation election Tuesday. Paul Shoop, who has said he will not accept contributions, spent more than the combined total of the next two highest campaign spenders, Larry Wan and Missy Zeitsoff, according to records filed with the county for the period that ended May 19.

A $100-million apartment and shopping complex is being planned for a formerly neglected stretch of Hollywood Boulevard that once held a legendary rehearsal studio where generations of actors learned to dance and wield swords. Commercial real estate developer Sonny Astani said he bought a 1.9-acre site on Hollywood near Western Avenue for almost $11 million. Among the structures on the property is a building that was part of Falcon Studios, a performing arts school founded in 1929.

Fearful of a temporary ban on new home construction once Malibu becomes a city, a coalition of homeowners, real estate brokers, building contractors and others has asked Malibu's future leaders for assurances that no such ban will take place. But not everyone was pleased after a hearing Tuesday, attended by about 250 people, at which Malibu's unofficial City Council voted to sponsor a workshop and set up a task force to study the issue.

Dana has made serious allegations regarding the integrity of the public hearing process and the commission's vote on the Malibu Local Coastal Plan. If Dana, an elected county official, has made unfounded allegations questioning the conduct of a state agency, then, upon proper proof of the falsity of the allegations, he should be asked to retract and apologize. If, on the other hand, his allegations are correct, then those responsible should be asked to resign forthwith, and any improper action should be reversed and redirected on an orderly, lawful course.

Fearful of a temporary ban on new home construction once Malibu becomes a city, a coalition of homeowners, real estate brokers, building contractors and others has asked Malibu's future leaders for assurances that no such ban will take place. But not everyone was pleased after a recent hearing, attended by about 250 people, at which Malibu's unofficial City Council voted to sponsor a workshop and set up a task force to study the issue.

Besides deciding whether their seaside community becomes a city, Malibu voters on June 5 will be asked to pick five City Council members from a field of 30 contenders who last week announced they were entering the race. "The joke around town is that candidate forums will last two days, with each candidate given five minutes to speak," said one observer, in reference to the large number of contenders.