CAMPAIGN NEWS

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

Serendipity in a Small Town Every week, ideas and possible solutions to the challenges facing our village find their way to me. Yes, some come through meetings and workshops, but often they arrive through chance encounters and quick conversations. Call it good timing, or the payoff of listening with an open mind, but it happens. Sunday Morning, An Idea Over Coffee On a recent Sunday  morning, I stopped by La Bicyclette  for a latte before my KMBY radio broadcast at Little Nap

An Extraordinary Evening Some council meetings feel routine. Others remind you why local government matters. Last night was one of those rare evenings where everything came together: a community showing up in force to witness celebrations, help shape its future, and see clear decisions. It was, in every sense, an extraordinary night in Carmel-by-the-Sea. A Positive Start The night began with report outs from three remarkable Carmel High students, followed by an update from th

Momentum, Not Slowdown Usually, things quiet down as the holidays approach. But, not in Carmel this year. The December Council meetings will tackle issues that matter to residents and are essential to keeping Carmel safe, beautiful, and productive. The same is happening with our Commissions. I’ve also represented Carmel at the Mayors Association, the Monterey County Hospitality Association’s recognition awards, the Carmel Innkeepers gathering, and the Panetta Institute’s Linc

Mayor Dale Byrne De vendorf Park, Carmel-by-the-Sea – November 11, 2025 Good morning, and thank you for gathering here in Devendorf Park — the heart of our village — to honor those who have served and sacrificed for our nation. From World War I to the present day, Carmel-by-the-Sea has always answered the call. Our residents — artists, shopkeepers, teachers, and dreamers — have worn our country's uniform. Every name etched in these plaques tells a story of those that didn’t r

Typically, city leadership transitions happen one at a time. A police chief retires. A department head moves on. A new city manager is hired. It’s natural, and often healthy. But in Carmel-by-the-Sea, 2025 will be a year of unique opportunity. In one year, our Public Works Director, Police Chief, Library and Community Activities Director, Fire Chief, Planning Director, and City Administrator will retire or will move into a new role. In the last two years, we also welcomed a n

Recently, 2,300 city leaders from across California met in Long Beach for the League of California Cities Annual Conference and  Expo. Assistant City Administrator Brandon Swanson, HR Director Marisa Bermudez, and I split up to cover as many of the 100 sessions as we could. Topics ranged across HR, planning and development, wildfire readiness, IT, and legal issues. In addition, during coffee breaks and evening events, I compared notes with colleagues from cities like Livermor

Over the last nine months, I’ve been meeting with mayors, councilpersons, and city managers across Monterey County, following neighboring council meetings, speaking at forums, and meeting with local businesses and residents. The message I’ve heard is clear: the regional landscape is shifting and it will affect us in Carmel. This situational awareness can help us plan rather than react to the impact of these changes. The Regional Picture Across the Peninsula and Salinas Valley

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." We all remember the children's story of the little engine that refused to give up, chugging steadily up a steep hill while others said it couldn't be done. In many ways, that's been Carmel-by-the-Sea's story this year—a small village tackling big challenges with determination, teamwork, and an unwavering belief that we could climb hills others thought too steep. Finding Our Rhythm For years, certain challenges felt like steep gra

Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to Carmel-by-the-Sea.  We have more than 350 people gathering here at the beautiful Sunset Cultural...

A Celebration of Community and Automotive Passion Car Week has always been one of those magical times when Carmel-by-the-Sea feels both...

Balancing Authority and Accountability in Municipal Decision-Making Local government works best when roles are clearly defined and...

A couple weeks ago, 260 of us gathered for a showing of “Don’t Pave Main Street” at the spectacular new Golden Bough Theater. It was a...

Balancing Charm and Community Life When people think of Carmel-by-the-Sea, they usually picture the storybook cottages, windswept cypress...

It’s been six months since this new City Council was seated, and Carmel-by-the-Sea is already showing visible and meaningful momentum—not...

If you’ve ever wondered how a small town like Carmel-by-the-Sea manages to make real progress while preserving its one-of-a-kind charm,...

A Budget Like a Symphony The last 5 months, I’ve come to see the development of a city budget like preparing for a symphony performance....

An Inspiring Response Over the past few weeks, something remarkable happened—quietly, without ceremony, but deeply meaningful for our...