From the Mayors Desk -The More Things Change

The Timeless Charm of Carmel

Early mornings on Scenic Drive reveal something remarkable: residents and visitors walking on the pathway, dogs trotting on the beach, Pebble Beach golf course in the distance, and the ocean stretching endlessly. On Ocean Avenue, spirited conversations echo decades past. Discussions range from growth and development to parking and street addresses. But at the heart of every conversation, from lifelong residents to newcomers, lies a deep love for this community, a love that has existed since Carmel's birth, shaped by artists, poets, and dreamers. Our small-town spirit, our commitment to preserving our natural beauty, and our fierce independence define us. They are the heart of who we are.

A Changing World, Unchanging Values

Carmel has always been a place where people care – about their homes, their neighbors, and the character of our square-mile village. Yet, while we cherish our idyllic setting, the world around us changes rapidly. Artificial intelligence, the political landscape, and our economy shift at breathtaking speed. Cities grapple with evolving priorities and natural disasters. Even in Carmel, where time seems to slow, change is inevitable. We face crucial decisions on many civic issues. And yet, my research into Carmel’s history reveals we continue to revisit the same issues repeatedly, without resolution. This is no longer sustainable.

Guarding Our Past, Navigating the Future

A mayor's challenge is balancing tradition with progress. We cherish our beaches, cottages, and lack of traffic lights, but, we are being forced to adapt. Our forest is aging, state housing and parking mandates loom, house insurance is in crisis, and local businesses face increasing economic pressures. The question isn't if we change, but how. How do we modernize without losing our soul? How do we stay relevant when many feel we have already become just another tourist town?

The answer lies in thoughtful stewardship – decisions mindful of history and future generations. My focus, and I hope that of our entire council, will be on policies that honor our legacy while ensuring Carmel's long-term success.

Looking Ahead, Staying Grounded

Every one of our city meetings presents important decisions and it’s important that all of us stay engaged and help us move forward. We’ll likely be discussing the impact of insurance and roofing materials, housing element revisions, business model for public/private partnerships, restoring our civic buildings and natural resources, resilience of our IT and other city infrastructure, home addresses, and maintaining financial stability. It’s a lot, but it’s all very important, and you have commissioners and councilpeople that are asking for your assistance. We will finally be taking action and doing so while remaining true to Carmel – a city that collaboratively solves problems and values its past as much as its future.

The Constant in a Changing World

While change is inevitable, let's remember what never changes: our love for Carmel, our respect for its history and each of our opinions, and our shared responsibility to ensure future generations experience its magic. It’s time to change that old saying to “the more things change, the more some things stay the same”. In Carmel-by-the-Sea, that's exactly as it should be.

Dale Byrne, Carmel Mayor

dbyrne@cbts.us