CAMPAIGN NEWS

At an Important Moment As I’ve shared in recent columns, Carmel is at an important moment as we face decisions that will shape this village for decades. This is a time that calls for careful thought, a clear understanding of the full picture, and constructive dialogue. Last week’s front page article and comments around my Housing Element Amendment public comment brought many of these issues into focus. I shared my perspective publicly to help frame the conversation and highl

Introduction and Purpose I am submitting this comment as a Carmel resident and as Mayor, having followed the Housing Element process closely over the past several years. I strongly support housing production, including affordable units, in Carmel. We need them, and among all those in need, our seniors are the most urgent priority. Long-time residents who built their lives here are increasingly priced out as rents rise beyond fixed incomes. I also want to thank the volunteers

In recent weeks, I have seen first-hand how two local institutions made bold decisions about their futures. Both offer lessons worth carrying into Carmel’s next chapter. Opportunity Favors the Bold In 2023, the Carmel Foundation purchased the former Red Cross building, transforming a quiet administrative office into a vibrant wellness center. Today it hosts exercise equipment, yoga classes, and welcoming spaces for coffee and conversation. Foundation leadership saw opportunit

A Parable About Making Tough Decisions Let me tell you about three coastal villages that faced the same problem, and made very different choices. All were beautiful. All were proud of their history, charming downtowns, and loyal residents. All depended on visitors who filled their sidewalks on sunny weekends. And all had aging roads, outdated public buildings, rising costs, growing deferred maintenance and an economic model that was no longer working. For years, leaders in ea

The List of Things We Don’t Talk About The last two weeks, I’ve put the “rhinoceros skin” you grow in public office to good use while seeing many examples of what we’ve quietly decided is “impossible.” We have a long list. Parking structures are “not allowed.” Undergrounding utilities is “too hard.” We can’t build new hotels without ruining the town. Housing can’t exist without destroying our character. We can’t have an honest talk about our untenable parking situation. And i

Loving Carmel — and Owning the Responsibility That Comes With It Good morning to my colleagues, City leadership and staff, and to those here today to help us with our important work. I’ll begin simply. I love this village. I know everyone in this room does too. That love is why Carmel has remained passionate, beautiful, and special for generations. But love also carries responsibility. And sometimes responsibility asks us to talk about things we would rather avoid. The Conver

In my last column, we talked about the village choosing its future. That conversation reminded me of 1991, when a group of residents gathered to imagine Carmel in the year 2016. Sunset Center hadn’t been upgraded, Ocean Avenue was quieter, and the internet hadn’t yet arrived. Like many previous times over the previous 100 years, residents sensed a crossroads. So, they formed the Carmel 2016 Committee. Their assignment was simple: dream about the qualities so distinctive to Ca

A Special Place Good afternoon, everyone. It’s an honor to be at La Playa—a place Margaret and I enjoy often, though usually you’ll find us on the terrace toasting their famous "Ma yor" cocktail with our two pups at our side. First, I’d like to commend the talented Visit Carmel board and staff: Your work is sophisticated and strategic. You aren't just "marketing"; you are curating the soul of our village for the world. As we’ll see in a few minutes, the results speak for them

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...