‘Me First’ Attitudes Cloud Views on Soka

There is great irony in the picture that accompanied William Wells’ cowardly attack on Joe Edmiston, executive director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (letters to the editor, Jan. 21). That picture was taken as Edmiston faced down the professional auctioneer at the Broome Ranch auction in 1993. It was one of Edmiston’s greatest triumphs--the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy ultimately bought this beautiful property for several million dollars less than the so-called minimum bid. Those of us at the auction were stunned by his audacity--but it paid off for the public.

Wells’ letter does this public servant a great injustice. The conservancy’s executive director has saved many thousands of acres of parkland in the Santa Monica Mountains, but he doesn’t control the conservancy board. The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, which I chaired for the past three years, turned down Edmiston’s settlement recommendation because of unanimous opposition from elected officials in the area.

The process Edmiston most feared has now set in, in no small part because of the “me first” attitude of some people who have demanded that the conservancy spend its last dollar on Soka, yet have not offered us any help should the jury award exceed expectations.

Mr. Wells has stated that the Soka property is not worth the $19.7-million appraisal, but he castigates the conservancy for not having set aside more than that for the condemnation. He can’t have it both ways. Responsible public officials--such as those on the conservancy board--must prepare for the possibility that a jury will “split the difference” between the state appraiser and Soka’s claim of $45 million to $50 million. If the money can’t be found in 30 days following the jury award, then Soka wins, gets to keep its land and the conservancy must pay all of Soka’s costs and attorney fees, plus face a potential damages lawsuit. No one is to blame for that outcome, certainly not Edmiston and his staff, but it is the inexorable logic of saying that one 245-acre parcel is worth the conservancy’s entire treasury.

William Wells, having advocated this outcome, can’t back away and blame someone else when the going gets rough. If Soka is the only property of importance in the Santa Monica Mountains, then Wells and his friends should stop sniping and help us identify assets that can be sold to help ensure that the Soka property will stay undeveloped.

JEROME C. DANIEL

Daniel, of Malibu, is immediate past chairman of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.