By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
A new slate of Pacific Palisades Community Council officers were elected for the 2023-24 term at its most recent meeting on June 8—marking the first time the council will be led by a group of all women officers in its 50-year history.
Maryam Zar will continue her role of chair for a second year, with Sue Kohl taking over for Jenny Li as vice-chair, Beth Holden-Garland remaining recording secretary and Li now in the role of treasurer, which was previously Randy Young.
The term will begin on July 1 and run through June 30, 2024.
“This is an uncontested slate of officers that was nominated by the nominating committee in May,” Zar explained during the June 8 meeting. “There were no new nominations.”
PPCC Legal Counsel Rob Weber read part of the bylaws, which stated that if “a candidate is unopposed … the board may vote by acclamation,” versus a roll-call vote. He then asked for any objections to electing the slate of four officers by acclamation.
“Seeing no hands raised, hearing no objection, the slate is elected,” Weber continued. “Congratulations to the new officers, and thanks to the outgoing officers.”
After members of the board shared a round of applause, Zar took a moment to thank outgoing treasurer Young.
“I personally would like to thank Randy Young, beyond measure, for being the treasurer that took this on a year ago,” she shared. “You have always been an invaluable source of information and inspiration to this board.”
Zar shared with the Palisadian-Post that the all-female slate of officers means a lot to her this year—especially with the Woman of the Year accolade she received from Senator Ben Allen.
“Pacific Palisades and PPCC have long benefited from women leaders who have had a huge impact on the community, helping preserve much of what we all value most in the Palisades,” she wrote. “From its inception through its years of evolution and it’s transition from an appointed board to a 50% elected board, PPCC is an organization that has long benefited from the intellect, ability and commitment of Palisadian women volunteering their time for community.”
Looking forward to the upcoming year, Zar shared PPCC has many things to tackle, including matters related to George Wolfberg Park at Potrero Canyon—from brush clearance to coastal access and pole-top cameras as a community pilot to address public safety. The organization will also tackle traffic challenges, the community plan update process, city ordinances and more.
“We have a lot to monitor and act upon with the important voice of this community,” Zar shared.
This marks the first time Kohl will be an officer for PPCC, which she has been involved in for about a decade—first as an organizational representative, representing youth sports for PPBA, then as the Area 5 representative (Alphabet Streets and Village adjacent), a position she held until last year, when she became 1st alternate for the area.
“From the very beginning of my participation in the PPCC, I’ve enjoyed not only becoming involved in community issues—some of them quite controversial—but also working closely alongside so many truly dedicated community volunteers and leaders,” Kohl shared with the Post. “It’s been an honor and a terrific learning experience. I am most looking forward to being a part of the executive board that oversees the day-to-day running of the organization and will do my best to keep it running smoothly.”
The next PPCC meeting will take place June 22 at 6 p.m. in a hybrid fashion, both via Zoom and in-person at Palisades Branch Library, as Councilmember Traci Park is slated to speak.
For additional information, visit pacpalicc.org.
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