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Palisades residents vent frustrations at town hall on debris removal – Jobsmaa.com

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The town hall was billed as a way for Pacific Palisades residents to learn about the process of removing debris from their burn sites.

But Sunday's event in Santa Monica quickly turned into a free-for-all as frustrated residents pressed officials on a number of issues.

Jan. 23, which burned more than 23,400 acres and destroyed thousands of homes. 7 More than 2½ hours into the government's plans to help recover from the storm, local residents sought a deadline and answers.

Others in the audience posed questions to the panel.

“I have a house in the middle of a burn area, how do I protect that house?” A man said.

Displaced Pacific Palisades residents are navigating a new reality, including facing a long time to rebuild. As they seek to return to their institutions, they also have to deal with an array of government agencies Properties destroyed by fire.

At Sunday's event, federal and county officials provided answers to the fire's effects on the home's foundation, soil and trees.

Elected officials and federal and county representatives, including Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), answered dozens of questions submitted by visitors on index cards.

They also provided additional information: Sherman revealed that the average cost of clearing debris from another recent fire for homes was $170,000 — a likely factor in hiring a private contractor to clear their lots.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers to remove debris at no charge. Residents can join or leave government service.

Mark Bestrella, director of Los Angeles County Public Works, encouraged neighbors to work together to sign up for the public trash removal process, explaining that it would be faster if homes were clustered. At a meeting of the Palisades Pacific Community Council last week, officials said the process to remove the debris could take up to 18 months.

The Environmental Protection Agency is also doing its own removal of hazardous materials, which will begin this weekend. Tara Fitzgerald, the agency's coordinator, told Sunday night's meeting that the process would take “months.”

That response drew some complaints from viewers.

“That's too long.”

“Hurry it up.”

“Recruit more people.”

Federal and county officials have warned residents to use caution when returning to burned areas. Returning residents must pass through checkpoints and be issued with protective gear due to health concerns following the wind-driven inferno.

County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who appeared at the panel, said it's dangerous for people to go onto their property and take their trash.

At one point, the group members started asking each other questions. City Councilwoman Tracy Park, who represents Pacific Palisades, asked why the two phases — the EPA work and the debris removal — couldn't be done in one go. Some in the crowd rallied behind her.

“There's a whole area on fire, take it all down,” a woman shouted.

Another audience member who lost her car keys at a home asked officers how to get a tow truck to a closed burn area so she could retrieve her car.

The last two mandatory evacuation zones are expected to open this week only to Pacific Palisades residents, officials said, so they can retrieve supplies if the weather holds.

Another board member, Mayor Karen Bass, acknowledged the anger and sadness the community felt at the start of Sunday's event.

“My North Star is my commitment to take you home again,” Bass said.

However, some residents want more details about the recovery.

Pacific Palisades resident Sue Pascoe runs the newsletter and website The news is going aroundThis weekend, he wrote, “There doesn't seem to be a central place for Palisadians to get information, and it's frustrating and time-consuming.”

Sue Cole, president of the Pacific Palisades Community Council, said she spends four hours a day answering emails from locals and others.

She wasn't surprised by the outbursts from the crowd, but said the officers did a good job answering questions at Sunday's forum.

“People are frustrated,” he said. “This is not a normal time.”

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