PPCC Elections End, Begin a New Era

By CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA | Reporter

In a surprise announcement of election winners by the Pacific Palisades Community Council, Steve Cron and Alan Goldsmith were named winners of the Area 2 and at-large representative positions, respectively.

Vote counts are expected to be announced at an upcoming meeting on Sept. 13 and candidates will begin their terms on Oct. 11, according to a letter from PPCC Chair George Wolfberg.

“This was a tough election, and I’m glad it’s over,” Area 2 elect Steve Cron said in a statement to the Palisadian-Post. “My opponent, Adam Handler, worked hard and ran an effective campaign.

“I am so appreciative of all the support I received in our community, and hope that all of us can work together to make The Highlands and all of the Palisades an even better place to live.”

Cron and Goldsmith will join candidates who ran uncontested, including Joanna Spak (Area 1), Haldis Toppel (Area 3), Rick Mills (Area 4), Sue Kohl (Area 5), David Kaplan (Area 6), Steve Boyers (Area 7) and Reza Akef (Area 8).

“PPCC thanks all the candidates for their willingness to participate in the public election process and commitment to serving the community,” Wolfberg wrote in the letter. “We also thank the members of the Palisades community for participating in the elec-

tion process by voting.

“Finally, we thank the Election Committee, led by David Card, American Legion representative to the board, for its responsible management of the election.”

The announcement of winners was scheduled to occur on Sept. 13, but Palisadians were surprised to see election results in their email inbox on Saturday, Sept. 1.

Area 2 runner-up Adam Handler’s campaign did not survive the online political attacks of community members accusing him of being responsible for or associated with a fake account that criticized his opponent, causing his campaign to be on the defensive for the remainder of the race.

At the same time, At-Large Representative elect Goldsmith was busy making his community presence more visible over his opponent John Padden, with heavy social media presence and attending local events.

“I’m very happy to have won,” Goldsmith said in a phone interview. “I’m going to be doing a lot of listening. I’m not just hitting the ground with an attack plan like a political candidate for the U.S. Senate … I’ve got to be very cautious and not blurt out and take the long position. I’ve got to know what people want.”

The new board now straps in to lead a new era in the Palisades, including the opening of Palisades Village and an incoming project at the old Jack in the Box site that is setting its heels in the sand to become the next local land use battle.