Malibu Mayor Pro Tem Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner was sworn in as Mayor during the City Council meeting on Monday, December 10 at City Hall. Mayor Wagner had his oath of office administered by his friend and Malibu resident Rob Reiner. He takes over the role from former Mayor Rick Mullen.
“I had a list of goals and things I would have wanted to achieve as Mayor,” Wagner said. “But all that has changed. We have experienced the biggest natural disaster in the City’s history, and my singular focus now is helping residents rebuild as quickly and smoothly as possible.”
Wagner, owner of long-time Malibu surf shop Zuma Jay’s Surfboards and concessionaire of the Malibu Pier, was first elected to the City Council in April 2008, and served through April 2012. He was elected for a second term in November 2016.
Karen Farrer, elected to the Council in the November 6, 2018 General Election, was sworn in as Mayor Pro Tem. Farrer’s oath of office was administered by her husband Cameron. She has lived in Malibu for 40 years and for years has been part of the effort to establish a Malibu school district independent from Santa Monica Malibu School District (SMMUSD).
“I am honored. I am humbled, especially in this very sobering time of great need and devastation,” Farrer said. “I feel for everyone who has suffered losses and I want to help them get as whole as possible as quickly as possible. I consider the process of rebuilding a moral responsibility, so my goal is to do anything I can to help streamline and expedite that.”
Mikke Pierson was sworn in as Councilmember. Pierson, a business coach, whose family has lived in Malibu since the 1950s, was sworn in by his son Emmet. Pierson served for six years on the Malibu Planning Commission and a year on the Public Works Commission.
“My focus will be on helping the people and the community of Malibu rebuild and recover, and improving the way we approach disaster preparedness and response,” Councilmember Pierson said. “I am also very concerned about local businesses and want to help them find ways to survive this disaster as important members of our community.”
Councilmembers Laura Rosenthal and Lou La Monte were elected in 2010 and both ended their two terms on the Council during the December 10 meeting. They were honored for their years of leadership and achievements by numerous community members, the City Councilmembers, elected officials from neighboring cities and representatives from partner agencies.
Submitted by Matt Myerhoff, Malibu Media Information Officer
