Community advocates in Pacific Palisades are feeling relieved that their concerns will be acknowledged in an upcoming private meeting with federal officials. They express frustration with state and local authorities, who they claim left them unsupported during last year’s devastating wildfires.
Jessica Rogers, a resident who lost everything to the fires, plans to attend a roundtable with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. This meeting, set for Wednesday, will address challenges related to rebuilding and the setbacks caused by local leadership.
“It’s really great that they’re taking the time to listen to us,” said Rogers, a dedicated mother of two. “We’ve felt ignored and abandoned since the fires. To have the federal government step up and listen to our needs is significant for us.”
Last week, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at accelerating rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles. This action came about a year after the catastrophic fire that destroyed thousands of homes and resulted in significant damage and loss of life.
Only 2,600 rebuilding permits had been issued by local authorities until now, prompting the president to appoint Zeldin as a liaison to address community concerns and simplify bureaucratic obstacles.
“People are desperate to restore their communities,” remarked Rogers, noting her emotional response to the executive order. “A lot are still displaced and may be for years. They just want to return to their homes, but local and state leaders haven’t done enough to help us… It feels like we were allowed to be destroyed.”
Currently, less than 15% of the homes lost in the fires have progressed through the necessary approval processes.
Zeldin will also hold discussions with various city officials responsible for the permitting process, including Mayor Karen Bass. He will be joined by Kelly Loeffler, head of the Small Business Administration, to speak directly with affected homeowners and small business owners.
“It’s crucial to gather their insights on what’s been effective and what needs improvement,” Zeldin mentioned, highlighting the importance of community feedback in the recovery effort.
“Our aim is to understand their hurdles and to facilitate their rebuilding as swiftly as possible.”
In response to the executive order, Governor Gavin Newsom and Bass have criticized the Trump administration, urging for the release of federal funds. However, Zeldin believes that relying solely on federal dollars isn’t the solution. He emphasized that the EPA’s experience in rapid cleanup will be essential in the next stages of recovery.
“Mr. Newsom seems to be seeking funding levels that are unrealistic. President Trump is committed to ensuring bureaucratic hurdles don’t hinder recovery,” Zeldin stated.
“Residents in Los Angeles deserve the opportunity to rebuild their lives.”
