As we enter 2026, I’ve been reflecting on a year of listening to our community. After dozens of Council meetings, 27 Pine Cone  columns, and hundreds of conversations, one core question keeps surfacing: What do we want Carmel to look like in the future? Today, many of our challenges are being managed by momentum. To keep Carmel special, shouldn’t we be making intentional choices rather than letting the future simply “happen” to us? The Traffic and Tourism Gap Every year, our

The End-State of Carmel As we enter 2026, I find myself reflecting on a year of intense learning. After writing 27 columns, overseeing 40 Council meetings, and listening to hundreds of residents, one fundamental question has emerged: What is the desired “end-state” for Carmel-by-the-Sea? I will discuss some of these issues below. Promotion Without Preparation? Today, many of our systems operate on momentum rather than intention. Through Visit Carmel and See Monterey, our hote

The Work Behind the Headlines Most people experience City Council through the moments that generate headlines, a packed meeting, a contentious issue, a passionate debate. Those moments matter. But they are only a small part of how a city actually moves forward. Much of the real work of local government happens quietly, one resolution at a time. Those “Whereas and Therefore” statements memorialize decisions, big and small, that shape how our city functions. What the Numbers Re