"Residents and business owners gathered Wednesday in the Pacific Palisades as they pointed the finger at local and state officials for bungling the recovery and prevention of last year's deadly wildfires. Called the They Let Us Burn demonstration, it was held on the one-year anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton blazes, which damaged or destroyed some 16,000 residential and commercial structures across mostly Altadena, Pacific Palisades and parts of Malibu."
"While local and state officials have repeatedly pegged the recovery as the fastest in history, many residents and business owners are still grappling with delays in insurance claims, rising construction costs and a web of taxes and fees for rebuilding or selling off their lots. They're asking their government leaders for accountability in helping complete the recovery. At least one public official was on hand"
"What you all are asking for going forward is basic. It is reasonable and we shouldn't have to beg our government to make this right, Park, whose district includes the Palisades, told the crowd of hundreds. She earned cheers when she allowed that of course, your permit fees should be waived, before criticizing speculators, saying developers are circling like vultures, looking to profit by adding density."
"The ire harbored by some could earn reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who lost his home to the Palisades Fire, some voter support as he announced his run for mayor of Los Angeles. He confirmed it while at the podium in a shock announcement that will pit The Hills star against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in a move that drew cheers from the crowd."
Residents and business owners gathered in Pacific Palisades to demand accountability for recovery and prevention failures after the Palisades and Eaton fires. The demonstration, held on the one-year anniversary, highlighted damage to about 16,000 residential and commercial structures across Altadena, Pacific Palisades and parts of Malibu. Many people continue to face delays in insurance claims, rising construction costs and a complex web of taxes and fees for rebuilding or selling lots. Protesters called on government leaders to complete recovery work, waive permit fees, fix evacuation and hydrant problems, and resist speculative development. A public official and a displaced celebrity announced political responses.
Read at therealdeal.com
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