I read a recent letter to the editor regarding city and local leadership. The writer acknowledged Mayor Karen Bass’ lifetime of public service while suggesting that her record should not guarantee her an unchallenged future. On that point, I wholeheartedly agree. No elected official should be above scrutiny or competition.
However, I take issue with the suggestion that City Council Member Nithya Raman has been unfairly characterized. Opinions about her are not simply the product of political rhetoric; they are informed by her own public statements, positions and voting record.
Raman has stated her intention to replace Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell, a capable and honorable leader. She has also received the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America, an organization whose stated priorities include reducing police funding, incarceration and criminal prosecution. These are legitimate concerns for those of us who believe public safety must remain a fundamental responsibility of city government. Mayor Bass strongly supports Chief McDonnell and our LAPD.
Here in Pacific Palisades, we have spent years advocating for additional police protection. We know firsthand how difficult it has been for the LAPD to recruit and train new officers, and how essential a strong, effective police department is to the safety of our neighborhoods.
We also recognize the importance of Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 41.18, which restricts sitting, sleeping and encampments in certain sensitive public areas, including those near schools, daycare centers, libraries and senior centers. Our councilwoman, Traci Park, has been a tireless advocate for our community and continues to work toward expanding these protections with the support of Mayor Bass.
Council Member Raman has opposed enforcement of Section 41.18, suggesting that such measures criminalize homelessness. That characterization is deeply unfair to the many Palisades residents who have devoted years to helping unhoused individuals. The Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness has worked tirelessly to connect people with housing, employment and essential services. Compassion and public safety are not mutually exclusive. We can—and must—care for vulnerable individuals while protecting the safety and accessibility of our public spaces.
I also believe it is important to set the record straight about Mayor Bass’ involvement in our community since the devastating Palisades Fire. Council Member Raman’s “engagement” with the Palisades appears to have begun only recently, since her decision to run for the mayor’s office. Mayor Bass, in addition to monitoring our progress in person on many occasions, has maintained a consistent and constant presence through her designated Palisades deputies, who have met with community leaders and volunteers—both in person and virtually—every single week since the fire. They have listened to our concerns, addressed problems and ensured that our needs are communicated directly to City Hall. That kind of sustained engagement matters.
One particularly important example came immediately after the fire. Upon learning that a certain developer had been granted permits for six multifamily rebuilds on single family lots, we became alarmed about the potential impact of Senate Bill 9 on our rebuilding neighborhoods. SB 9 would have allowed increased density in already vulnerable, fire-prone communities, raising serious concerns about evacuation and future public safety. An urgent appeal to Mayor Bass’ office brought an immediate response. Within days, she worked with Governor Gavin Newsom to secure exemptions for fire-affected neighborhoods from SB 9’s multifamily development provisions. This was an enormously consequential action for the future of our community.
Mayor Bass has publicly acknowledged and apologized for being out of the country when the fire began. She has accepted responsibility for that mistake, and she deserves to be held accountable for it. But accountability also requires recognizing what someone has done since.
Since the fire, Mayor Bass has devoted substantial time, attention and resources to the recovery of Pacific Palisades. Her administration has worked with community leaders to address the enormous challenges of rebuilding, and the city’s partnerships with Rick Caruso’s Steadfast Foundation and JJ Redick’s LA Strong Sports Foundation promise to restore the Palisades Recreation Center and athletic fields as exceptional facilities for future generations. These public-private partnerships represent exactly the kind of collaboration our recovery requires and are an example of responsible leadership.
None of this is to suggest that our recovery has been easy, that every decision has been right or that there is no room for criticism. There is plenty. But those of us who have lived through the devastation of the fire understand that rebuilding a community requires more than promises. It requires commitment, continuity, cooperation and results.
Pacific Palisades is still facing an extraordinarily difficult road to recovery. Families remain displaced, homes and businesses have yet to be rebuilt, and our community is working every day to reclaim what was lost.
At this critical moment, we cannot afford to sacrifice hard-won progress to political ideology or unnecessary disruption. We need leadership that understands our community, respects our priorities and is committed to seeing our recovery through.
After everything the Palisades has endured, we deserve nothing less.
This letter appeared in the Palisadian Post. It represents Sue Kohl’s personal opinion and is not meant to represent the Pacific Palisades Community Council.
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