Community Council Announces 2025 Honorees: Jim Cragg Citizen of the Year

American Legion’s Jim Cragg (center) with members of the World Central Kitchen. Post 283 was opened up to workers, Army Corp of Engineers and residents after the Palisades Fire.

Annually, the Pacific Palisades Community Council honors residents who have served and supported the community. On November 2, they announced the names of the 2025 Award Honorees.

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR:

Selected as Citizen of the Year is JIM CRAGG. In naming Cragg, the PPCC said he was being recognized for his visionary leadership in founding the Palisades Long Term Recovery Group, (https://paliltrg.org). LTRG was formed to help residents who need assistance after the fire with additional relief. Last week a senior luncheon was held, and resources were available to those who needed them.

From fighting the fire, to helping those who needed help, to working with the Army Corps of Engineers Cragg was a constant presence in the Village. He ensured the Post building, one of the few standing structures that didn’t burn, was opened after the fire as a place of refuge, a place for workers to have meals,  and a place for the community to meet. Since January 7, he has dedicated his time selflessly to Pacific Palisades. A past commander at the Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 283, Cragg worked with public safety in the Palisades, prior to the fire.

SPARKPLUGS:

Jessica Rogers was selected to receive a Golden Sparkplug Award.

The Golden Sparkplug Awards are given to honor individuals who “ignite ideas and projects into community action that benefit Palisadians.” This year two individuals are being given the award: JESSICA ROGERS and MARYAM ZAR.

Rogers, who lost her home in the fire, helped Cragg co-found the Long-Term Recovery Group. She is the President of the Pacific Palisades Residents Association and speaks on behalf of her community. Most recently she spoke to the California Coastal Commission addressing the lack of local input in a new restaurant project that could affect PCH and future evacuations. Police have left Pacific Palisades after the fire, leaving the community vulnerable, but Rogers worked tirelessly to have FLOCK license plate readers cameras at key entry and exit points in the Palisades

Zar, who has been active in the community as a former President of the Pacific Palisades Community and as the first president of the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness, formed the Palisades Recovery Coalition after the Palisades Fire. Her efforts to bring community together have resulted in numerous meetings called visioning charrettes.

PRIDE OF THE PALISADES:

This award is not made every year, but when given it recognizes individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the community. This year the award will be given to CHUCK HART and TEAM PALISADES.

Chuck Hart, a Palisadian was in the town almost immediately after the fire, with his crews helping clear the streets of fallen trees, poles and wires. Through his tireless work, many streets were navigable mere days after the fire.

Team Palisades Team Palisades, a neighbor-led support network formed in the aftermath of the January 2025 wildfires, is built on the Block Captain framework. People volunteer to connect with neighbors to provide them with valuable information.

AWESOME ADVOCATES:

Spencer Pratt will receive an Awesome Advocate Award.
Photo: X

This is a new award this year and is given for relentlessly pursuing important stories, asking hard questions and “advocating” for the community and its recovery.

Resident SPENCER PRATT, who lost his home in the fire, has been relentless in seeking answers about why the fire happened and why people connected have not been held accountable. His Instagram videos constantly hit home with truth and officials have no answers. He is sincere in his love of this community, and it shines in his posts.

SUE PASCOE, editor of Circling the News, has featured news about the fire, insurance and rebuild information in an effort to bring the people of Pacific Palisades home.

NOTABLE CONTRIBUTIONS:

WILLIAM CHAPIN is honored for his actions the day after the Fire to save homes that were still burning; for obtaining jackets for fellow Eagle Scouts who had lost theirs in the Fire, and discount codes from outfitters so that Scouts could replace backpacking and camping gear.

JULIA and LEO WOLFBERG will be honored for their initiative, “Cards for Kids,” in coordinating donations from local residents and a sports card shop, and distributing gift bags containing sports memorabilia such as sports collection cards, Pokémon cards and even signed baseballs to scores of Palisades children who had lost homes and all their belongings in the Palisades Fire.

SARAH SHMERLING, Palisadian-Post Editor, is recognized for her ongoing coverage of PPCC and the aftermath of the Palisades Fire. She was in the Palisades on January 8 reporting on the fire.

Awards will be presented on December 11 at a Gala dinner at Spruzzo Restaurant in Pacific Palisades.

The next community council meeting will be held November 13. To see the agenda and receive the zoom link click here.