Community Council Seeks Applicants for Area, At-Large Representatives

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

For those looking for a way to get involved with area interests, Pacific Palisades Community Council is now accepting candidate applications for area representatives and an at-large representative—a total of nine positions.

“Area and at-large representatives will be the voice of their constituents, bring issues to the PPCC, learn first-hand about policy and land-use topics affecting the Palisades, and vote on matters of communitywide interest,” according to a statement shared by PPCC.

The Palisades is split into eight neighborhoods, according to the PPCC map, each represented by one board member. There is also one position for an at-large representative. Those who are elected representatives will serve a two-year term on the PPCC Board.

“The area representative must reside within the specified area boundaries as detailed on the PPCC website,” the statement continued. “The at-large representative serves the entire community and must live, own property or run a business within Pacific Palisades.”

Incumbents are running in Area 2 (Steve Cron), 3 (Haldis Toppel), 4 (Karen Ridgley) and 8 (Reza Akef), as well as for at-large (Alan Goldsmith). The incumbents in Area 1 (Joanna Spak), 5 (Sue Kohl), 6 (Matthew Quiat) and 7 (Jenny Li) are not running.

“Thank you to all those that chose to run, and those who will be leaving the board, thank you for all your service and your work,” Chair David Card shared during the June 23 PPCC meeting. “Thank you especially to Sue, Matt and Joanna for representing your areas so well and volunteering to serve your community.”

All seats—not just the ones that are vacant—are open for applications, whether the incumbent is running or not.

Interested community members are required to submit a candidate’s statement (not to exceed 200 words), as well as a current photo in digital format, that will be included in election materials that will be publicly distributed. The statement should include a position statement on issues they believe to be important to the community and/or specific neighborhood, and must include an email address.

Candidate statements must be submitted via email to info@pacpalicc.org no later than one hour before the scheduled start of the PPCC meeting on July 28, which is slated to begin at 6 p.m.

The election of area and at-large representatives will take place later in August, with voting open to the community. Details will be revealed in the coming weeks.

The Election Committee, which has been designated to oversee the election, includes Li (chair), Card, Ryan Craig, Michael Edlen and Spak.

The PPCC Board will serve under Chair Maryam Zar, Vice-Chair Li, Secretary Beth Holden-Garland and Treasurer Randy Young, who are the officers that will begin their 2022-23 term on July 1.

For specific candidate application requirements and procedures, as well as a detailed map of the eight areas of the Palisades, visit pacpalicc.org. Questions can be directed to info@pacpalicc.org.