VIDEO POLITICS

A videotape has become the focus of attention in Malibu’s local election on Tuesday.

Three of the candidates running for the three open City Council seats have made a slick five-minute video presenting their position on development issues. Each of the candidates is calling for less commercial construction in the city.

The video, narrated by actor and Malibu resident James Whitmore, has raised the ire of some in Malibu who support proposals to develop some of the city’s open space. They complain that the video, although it does not violate any campaign rules, has injected too much Hollywood into Malibu politics.

“It’s the most professional thing I’ve ever seen done in Malibu,” said Clint Ancker, chairman of Malibu Common Sense, a group that supports growth.

Joanne Segel, the Malibu resident who coordinated the effort, agrees that the video looks good. But credit for much of the work goes to Malibu residents who volunteered their time and production equipment, Segel said, to get out their point of view that more development in Malibu will overload traffic on Pacific Coast Highway.

The video cost $5,000 and was paid for by the committees of Mayor Joan House, Councilwoman Carolyn Van Horn and resident Walt Keller. About 2,000 copies of the video have been mailed out.

Also running for the three seats are Barbara Cameron, Harold Greene, Paula Login and Mary Kay Kamath.