Kulla to Resign as Council Chair and Join Rosendahl

Norman Kulla, chairman of the Palisades Community Council, has announced that he will resign his position June 30 to work on July l for City Councilman-elect Bill Rosendahl. ”’I will have a senior position on Bill”’s staff in the downtown office,”’ Kulla told the Palisadian-Post Tuesday, just a week after Rosendahl defeated Flora Gil Krisiloff in the election to replace Cindy Miscikowski. ”’Although Bill has announced my hiring as senior counsel, that”’s just a working title for now,”’ Kulla said, noting that Rosendahl is on a 10-day vacation. ”’He has asked me to be his numbers guy for budget and tax-policy decisions, and be responsible for his pledged district-wide citizen empowerment conferences, transportation, and special assignments.”’ Kulla, an attorney and certified financial analyst who has lived in the Palisades Highlands since 1995, said he will also resign his job with Morton Capital Management in Calabasas on June 30. It appears that vice-chairman Kurt Toppel, a former Citizen of the Year honoree, will succeed Kulla as chairman of the Palisades Community Council. ”’Before Kurt left on a trip to Germany we discussed what might happen if Rosendahl won and I went on his staff, as I indicated I intended to do,”’ Kulla told the Post last Friday. ”’When the nominating committee asked me to be chair [for a second year beginning July l], I explained my intentions. Kurt agreed to be chairman for a year. Now I must find a vice-chair to recommend, although of course that”’s not my decision.”’ This week, Kulla explained that ”’Toppel will have to be nominated by a board member, and the election for new officers will take place at the June 9 meeting, per the bylaws. Nominations are open until closed by the presiding officer (me) at that meeting. Candidates must be past or present board members.”’ Kulla has been an active Rosendahl supporter since late March 2004 when, after meeting with both candidates, he told friends he was joining Rosendahl”’s team. ”’After a two-hour lunch with him at Tivoli”’s just a few weeks ago I realized he had the same passion and commitment as me,”’ Kulla said in an e-mail. ”’Here”’s a guy who wants to stir up the pot, as I do. I was looking to hook up with someone like him.”’ Now that he”’s going to be a paid staffer for Rosendahl, Kulla reiterated Tuesday why the decision was easy to make. ”’My reasons for jumping into politics go way back. Since I was a little boy I listened to people argue and could immediately hear what each side was not hearing from the other side that could be a basis for agreement. There are real differences where there must be a winner and a loser. But they are less in number than people think. I think Rosendahl has the ability to think clearly, bring people with differing interests together, and begin to rebuild credibility and trust into the process. We shall see. I shall see.”’ Kulla”’s wife, Katherine Mader, a member of the famous Class of ”’65 at Palisades High and now a Superior Court judge, will swear Rosendahl into office on July 1 at City Hall. Meanwhile, Rosendahl has made three other early staff appointments. Mike Bonin, his campaign manager, will become his City Hall chief of staff and direct his transition team. Margaret Hasheminejad, Rosendahl”’s longtime television producer, will join him as his executive assistant and scheduler. And Aaron Gross, whose last job was in City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo”’s office, will be his deputy chief. Rosendahl will retain the District 11 office on Corinth in West L.A., but Westside staff decisions have yet to be made. ”’We have had discussions about structure and personnel but nothing will be considered until after May 31 when Bill and Mike return,”’ Kulla said. All scheduling requests are being handled by Hasheminejad, who can be reached at Rosendahl”’s transition office in Venice: 398-4890. Job applicants should send a resume and cover letter via e-mail to rosendahl2005@yahoo.com.c