PPCC Election Stirs Up Personalities and Issues

By JOHN HARLOW | Editor-in-Chief

Elections at the Pacific Palisades Community Council have tended to be quiet, low-key affairs, with the eight seats rarely contested and almost never split apart by divisions or attitudes.

But the current elections are set to be different, with outsiders challenging for two vital seats—and at least one of the contests is demanding voters make a choice between local priorities, philosophies and personalities.

In Marquez Knolls, known as Area Three, two relative newcomers to the PPCC are offering a distinct choice of styles.

Peter Zomber places one issue at the heart of his campaign—to ensure the area homes’ Pacific views are shielded from more pro-development forces in Pacific Palisades.

In the past, Zomber’s spouse, Cheryl Zomber, a leader in the Marquez Knolls Property Owners Association, has clashed in public with members of the PPCC who are negotiating a planning exemption for the Palisades with the city of Los Angeles.

It is expected to become law next spring.

“She is very passionate,” a former PPCC official said last week. “And Peter may be the same.”

Zomber declined to comment, as he is preparing for a new trial. But he expects to attend the candidates’ open forum at the next PPCC meeting on Aug. 25.

He is standing for the Area Three seat against another Marquez Knolls lawyer, Danielle Samulon, who on Tuesday told the Palisadian-Post she is interested in “quality of life” issues such as the the building of a power distribution site near the Marquez Elementary Charter School.

She felt she was a “bridge-builder” over development issues but felt more details would emerge as she campaigned with her three children, knocking on doors to seek votes.

That is when she returns from Seattle, where she was delayed by the Delta Airlines system breakdown.

The other election will be held to represent Area Six, which includes the Huntington and Via de Las Olas Bluffs.

David Kaplan, who for the last two years has been an alternative (back-up) representative for the area vetting the Caruso and Potrero Canyon developments is standing against UC Berkeley-educated “designer and innovation strategist” Eric Marshall.

Stuart Muller, a former representative, said that this election was unusually important because of the anti-mansionization issue—and busy because of the new faces.

“And that is happening because three of us [representatives] forgot to file our re-election papers in time. It makes for an interesting election where anything can happen.”

There are 11 candidates standing for eight seats: Their statements are on line at pacpalicc.org and ballots became available online yesterday. Voting closes at midnight on Sept. 1.