Wolfberg Receives L.A. Pearls Award

Whether Pacific Palisades resident George Wolfberg is refereeing a soccer game or calling a meeting to order, he’s always busy helping out in the community. For that dedication, the City Attorney’s Office has chosen him for the L.A. Pearls Senior Citizens of the Year Award, representing the West Los Angeles Division. One senior citizen is chosen from each of the 19 neighborhood prosecutor divisions. ‘The selection committee, consisting of community members, selected George for his contribution to improving Los Angeles residents’ quality of life and promoting a positive and productive image of senior citizens,’ said Frank Mateljan, press deputy for City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo. Wolfberg will be honored at a 10 a.m. reception on September 9 at the Pico House in the Olvera Street Plaza in downtown. This is the fifth year the City Attorney’s Office has presented the award to deserving seniors. The Pacific Palisades Community Council nominated Wolfberg at its July 10 meeting and Palisadian-Post publisher Roberta Donohue wrote a letter of recommendation, reiterating that the newspaper had honored Wolfberg with a Civic Leadership Award in 2005. There were eight nominees from the West Los Angeles Division. ‘I think there could be no better candidate for this type of award in all of L.A. than George, given everything he has done for both the Palisades and the larger community,’ Council Vice Chair Susan Nash wrote to the Post. ‘It was very gracious and nice,’ Wolfberg, 70, said of the nomination. He worked for more than 35 years in the Los Angeles City administrative office before retiring in 1996. He first became involved in the community in 1972, when he moved to the Palisades with his wife, Diane. He joined the Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association, and has served as president for more than 30 years. Tuesday night, Wolfberg led the association’s monthly meeting at the Rustic Canyon Recreation Center and received congratulations from many of the members. Wolfberg said he enjoys leading the meetings because ‘It’s rewarding to come to a consensus outcome, and it’s team building. I don’t think you can accomplish much with conflict.’ Wolfberg has also volunteered for the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) for close to 30 years. During that time, he has served as the Region 69 registrar, regional commissioner, area director and a member of the National Board of Directors. He now referees year-round and is on the Region 69 board. ‘He’s just the best,’ said Debbie Held, AYSO regional commissioner. ‘He’s reliable, and he’s a top-level referee.’ ‘He’s the ultimate in volunteerism,’ she continued. ‘His children [Anya, David and Michael] have been gone from AYSO for years, but he is still involved and totally committed.’ Since 2000, Wolfberg has also been active in the Community Council, serving as chair from 2002-04 and chair emeritus from 2004-06. ‘It’s a wonderful opportunity to have an impact on government and other actions that could impact the quality of life in the community,’ said Wolfberg, who is now the at-large representative. In 2004, former City Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski appointed him chair of the Potrero Canyon Community Advisory Committee in order to devise a plan that will guide the creation of Potrero Canyon Park. He worked with citizens, Los Angeles City and County agencies, California Department of Transportation and the California Coastal Commission to bring about this plan. As the committee leader, Wolfberg said he tried to facilitate fair discussions. ‘I have my personal ideas of what I’d like to see in the canyon ‘none of which ended up in the plan,’ Wolfberg said, chuckling. ‘I took it upon myself to let others give their input.’ The committee adopted a plan by a vote of 14-0 with one abstention in January 2008. ‘George was an incredible leader on that committee,’ said David Card, the vice chair. ‘He’s very collegial and open to ideas ‘ He’s an inclusive kind of leader.’ With his son’s help, Wolfberg also volunteered to create and maintain a Web site with information about the canyon and the park’s progress. The city is now using the plan as a guide, said Norm Kulla, northern district director and senior counsel for Councilman Bill Rosendahl. The Coastal Commission has granted a permit that allows the city to sell two city-owned properties on Alma Real Drive by the end of the calendar year. The money from those lots will be used to resume work on the park. ‘George is a treasure,’ Kulla said. ‘He never stops bringing stuff to our attention and working with us to find solutions. He’s a remarkable citizen.’