Council Honors Four Residents for Activism

In a speech that reflected on the benefits of community service, Pacific Palisades Community Council Chair Richard G. Cohen recognized residents Barbara Kohn, Ethel Haydon, Shirley Haggstrom and Paul Glasgall last Thursday for their years of volunteerism.   ’It is due in no small part to the work of volunteers that we have preserved the wonderful small-town ambience of the Palisades,’ Cohen said during the Council’s annual holiday meeting in the dining hall at Temescal Gateway Park. ‘We should all be proud of this work and especially proud of the four honorees tonight, for they have distinguished themselves by their long-term dedication and hard work.’   Kohn, Haydon, Haggstrom and Glasgall each received this year’s Community Service Award, given since 1996 to worthy individuals who have made a continuing commitment to make the Palisades a better place.   Cohen presented the winners with glass trophies, while City Councilman Bill Rosendahl gave them certificates. Both shared kind words about each honoree.   Cohen explained that Haggstrom was chosen for her work through the Castellammare Mesa Homeowners Association, Pacific Palisades Historical Society, Temescal Canyon Association and the Community Council. She was instrumental in preserving lower Los Liones Canyon as public parkland about 10 years ago. Since then, ‘She tirelessly works to improve Los Liones, often with a shovel in hand,’ Cohen said.   Rosendahl lauded Glasgall for his recent work on traffic safety on Palisades Drive in the Highlands. Since February, Glasgall has overseen a group of volunteers who work with the West Los Angeles Traffic Division to cite speeders.   ’You have helped us a lot,’ Rosendahl said. ‘It’s a serious ongoing issue without an easy solution.’   Glasgall is a member of the Community Council, and served as chairman of the Palisades Highlands Presidents Council from 1991 until 2007.   Rosendahl praised Kohn for her recent efforts to prevent the proliferation of cell towers in public rights of way. She is advocating for the city to pass a new comprehensive ordinance that would regulate cell-tower installations in the City of Los Angeles.   ’She’s been doggedly tenacious on cell towers,’ Rosendahl said. ‘She’s out there; anytime there is a court action, she lets me know.’   Cohen commended Kohn for her work as president of Pacific Palisades Residents Association and as an active member other organizations.   In the 1970s and ’80s, Kohn also fought against oil drilling in Pacific Palisades through the organization No Oil. ‘We all owe her a debt of gratitude for that great work,’ Cohen said.   As for Haydon, Cohen described her as ‘a living part of Pacific Palisades history.’ She helped form the Pacific Palisades Historical Society and served as its first president. She is also active on the Temescal Canyon Association.   ’Ethel serves as a true example to all of us,’ Rosendahl said.