Meet A. Sam Dibaei, Candidate For Malibu City Council

MALIBU, CA — A. Sam Dibaei, 44, is vying to be elected to the Malibu City Council.

Dibaei is one of four candidates vying for two seats on the council in the Nov. 3 general election. Incumbents Marianne Riggins and Doug Stewart Are also facing a challenge from Danny Smith.

Learn more about Dibaei's goals for Malibu:

What is your educational background?

Juan Cabrillo Elementary

Malibu High School, class of 2000

UC Berkeley: B.A. Psychology; B.S. Haas School of Business; Minor Scandinavian Studies; Certified Student Instructor; Certificate Meta-analysis and Statistical Review Golden Gate University Doctorate of Jurisprudence

What is your professional background?

• General counsel and trial attorney (10 years)
• Talent acquisition and management 2017 - present

Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?

No.

What are the top three issues facing Malibu right now?

Fire, water and safety.

How should Malibu balance protecting homes and infrastructure with preserving beaches and the coastline as erosion and sea-level rise become greater concerns?

Malibu residents should not be required to maintain infrastructure to preserve the highway. Our residents pay taxes to maintain the roads. The fact that they own property on the coastline does not increase their responsibility. It is the responsibility of Caltrans to maintain the highway and if that includes building seawalls — it is incumbent on the state to do so — not Malibu residents.

Malibu has taken a number of steps in recent years to improve safety on Pacific Coast Highway. Which of those efforts do you believe have been most effective, where do you think the city is still falling short, and what should come next?

1. I believe the city has fallen short at every effort.
   1. The Flock-by-another-name cameras will not help.
   2. The roundabouts are a myopically obtuse solution (and politically motivated).
   3. The PCH synchronization signal project was approved by the council in 2017. It is almost 2027. The project cost $19 million.

We should put tolls on Pacific Coast Highway (residents excepted, of course). This would control traffic; fund the burdens imposed on the city by virtue of aforesaid traffic; and eliminate the need for mass surveillance of our drivers.

Why are you a better choice than your opponents?

How much worse could it get? The city did not burn down on my watch. By any measure, I am a better choice than either incumbent. As to the specifics, I would be proactive in implementing long-term measures. Not responding with band-aids. As voters, ask yourselves "is Malibu objectively better than it was four years ago?" If you think things are better — and getting better, do not vote for me.

Vote for me if you are unsatisfied with Malibu 1. burning, 2. flooding, 3. lacking basic utilities (electricity, clean water, gas), 4. increasing property crimes, and 5. not being able to rebuild your homes.

The time for "Malibu Strong" was eight years ago. It's time to stop reacting with shortsighted remedial bandages. It's time to be proactive with meaningful, long-term, prophylactic measures. It's time for Malibu Forward. That begins Nov. 3, 2026.

If elected, I would do what YOU want. I've decided to run because what we need at this juncture is simple. The issues are fires, water and safety. Let's start there and move forward as a community.

MALIBU FORWARD. The decision is yours.

Candidates' responses were lightly edited for style and clarity.