Sibilia, Groveman best candidates

As a long-time and very active citizen of Calabasas I find myself worried, embarrassed and disgusted with the sad state our present council is in.

I have known each member for many years and can say unequivocally that as individuals they are intelligent, dedicated, well informed and capable. When this council was elected, many of us who worked the campaigns were very optimistic about our city’s future.

Unfortunately, pessimism has replaced that early assessment. Our council is so dysfunctional that a deputy was asked to be present at meetings and a referee was hired at great expense to keep a lid on the rancor and open hostility that often erupts at meetings. The well-being of Calabasas is suffering.

Calabasas deserves better from our elected officials. We can fix this problem now with a fresh approach and two new councilmembers.

Robert Sibilia has a long history with Calabasas as a former mayor, councilmember, commissioner, and board member of the Calabasas Park HOA.

More importantly, when Sibilia was first elected to the council in 1997, he brought with him a style of intelligent congeniality that had a great calming effect on that council. I’m convinced that Sibilia’s presence on the new council will be a huge step toward a civilized decorum that we sorely need.

Barry Groveman has outstanding qualifications as well. Not only does he have a long and impressive public service record as a volunteer, his professional life as an environmental attorney and city attorney for several California cities provides very valuable experience for Calabasas.

It is clear from watching the forums and in speaking with Groveman and Sibilia that they both approach issues intelligently and analytically. They are not only effective but very genteel as well.

We need change! We need Barry Groveman and Bob Sibilia!

Michael Fichera, Jr.

Past president,

recording secretary

Calabasas Park HOA