Sept 19, 2026

Celebrating 39 Years of Community Service

CRA's City Council Candidates Forum - check out the video
where our five City Council & Mayor Candidates answered 11 residential questions, as moderated by Paul Miller owner of the Carmel Pine Cone. For more on the Candidates, as promised our Forum video, press coverage, and summary click HERE.


Fun in the Sand - September 19th Sandcastles 


REMINDER -  Carmel-by-the-Sea Standard Addresses are LIVE!

...as of Sept 11th - Visit the City's webpage HERE for guides and details.
All USPS items continue to be picked up in your PO Box at the Post Office.
Formal notices to property owners are arriving now. HERE is an example.
City Staff is hosting a Q&A table on Thursdays at Farmers Market 10-2, Stop By! 

More details, press and background are also on this CRA  Addresses page HERE


Village Tourism Survey

Please take this important survey collecting the Tourism views of residents, employees and businesses in Carmel-by-the-Sea and our surrounding areas. This is part of a larger effort to secure community input into a report and propose recommendations. Your voice is critical.
This survey was developed and is managed by an outside professional research firm, SMARInsights. All responses will be collected, compiled, and kept confidential by the research firm. Please expect to spend about 15 minutes answering the questions. Use the below QR code or this link https://tinyurl.com/CBTSsurvey26

These results will be shared at a community town hall at Carpenter Hall, Sunset Center, set for 4:30pm to 6:30pm on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Details & registration available HERE We hope you will attend. 

 The Aug 20th Tourism Town Hall, slides, video, press and more are HERE 


Please also take the City's Car Week 2026 Survey on your experience, including our in-Village events and safety efforts now HERE.


2026 Village Election Watch, this link will be kept current

Qualified Candidates for Mayor (Vote for only one)

* David Boland, Banking Executive - Candidate Statement of Qualifications  Contact Info: www.davidforcarmelmayor.com
* Hans Buder, Carmel City Councilmember - Candidate Statement of Qualifications Contact Info: www.hansbuderforcarmel.com | [email protected] | P.O. Box 5301, Carmel, CA, 93921

Qualified Candidates for Councilmember (Vote for no more than two)

* Alissandra Dramov, City Councilmember - Candidate Statement of Qualifications  Contact Info: www.renewcarmel.com
* Bobby Richards, Driving Instructor and Former Councilmember - Candidate Statement of Qualifications  Contact Info: www.bobbyrichardscarmel.com | l[email protected] | P.O. Box 5402, Carmel, CA, 93921
* Stefan Karapetkov, Planning Commissioner - Candidate Statement of Qualifications  Contact Info: www.karapetkovforcarmel.com | [email protected]

Note: Our Association and the Board of Carmel Residents Association
does not endorse City Council candidates.
Two Ballot Tax Measures coming in our Voter Pamphlets
TWO official Citizen Committee's have formed to provide Tax Ballot measures information for voters in the weeks/months to come. Please visit these websites for details :
- NO on TOT Tax Committee - HERE. (aka "NoNewCarmelHotelTax")
- YES on TOT & Sales Tax Committee
- HERE (aka "SupportCarmelsFuture")

   FINAL Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Measure Short description submitted

Measure M Transient Occupancy Tax  To upgrade streets/sidewalks, address beach erosion, enhance wildfire preparedness, maintain City trees, and fund other general government purposes in City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, shall the measure establishing a new 2% transient occupancy tax, paid by lodging guests, in addition to the existing 10% transient occupancy tax, increasing the total tax rate to 12%, with the new 2% tax generating approximately $1,900,000 annually, and the total 12% tax generating $11,700,000 annually, until ended by voters, be adopted?

Supplemental documents submitted for voter pamphlet 

         * City Attorney Impartial Analysis – TOT Ballot Measure M
         * Primary Argument in Favor of TOT Ballot Measure M
         * Primary Argument Against TOT Ballot Measure M
         * Rebuttal to Argument Against TOT Measure M
         * Rebuttal to Argument in Favor of TOT Ballot Measure M

   FINAL Sales Tax (TUT) Measure - Short description submitted

Measure N - Transactions and Use Tax (Sales Tax) To upgrade streets/sidewalks, address beach erosion, enhance wildfire preparedness, maintain City trees, and fund other general government purposes in City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, shall the measure increasing the transactions and use tax (also known as sales tax) by 0.375%, from 1.50% to 1.875%, providing approximately $1,800,000 annually in additional revenue and approximately $9,400,000 annually in total revenue, and extending the total 1.875% tax until ended by voters, with independent audits and all funds benefitting Carmel-by-the-Sea, be adopted?

Supplemental documents submitted for voter pamphlet 
         * City Attorney Impartial Analysis – TUT (Sales Tax) Ballot Measure N
         * Primary Argument in Favor of TUT (Sales Tax) Ballot Measure N

MORE NOT TO MISS next week... 
September's Important Events and Activities


Tuesday - September 22nd at 6PM - Carmel-by-the-Sea Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum The Chamber is hosting a candidate forum for the City Council and Mayor race at the Church of the Wayfarer. As a Chamber event, the forum will focus on the business and economic issues that matter most to our local business community. Details HERE


Tuesday - September 22 at 2-4 PM - Carmel Foundation's Annual Meeting 
Join The Carmel Foundation’s Annual Members Meeting! We’ll share highlights from the past year, discuss what you want to see at the Foundation, and give you a glimpse of what’s ahead. Everyone is welcome. Details HERE


Thursday - September 24th 10-2 - CRA hosts a Community Table at the weekly Carmel-by-the-Sea Farmers Market - on Mission & 6th.  Stop by!


Friday - September 25th - Sabelle: Singer/songwriter stands out in the local music scene with her soft, resonant vocals and poetic lyricism. One of the Fall Free Terrace Hours, an Outdoor Music Series at Sunset Center. 

Bar Opens 5:30 PM | Music 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Sunset Center Upper Terrace, San Carlos St at Ninth Ave,
FREE. RSVPs requested but not required. CLICK HERE


September 25-27 - Monterey Jazz Festival is happening.  Details HERE


           Please Register HERE to Join our Police Chief Todd Trayer
Saturday September 26, 10am in Carpenter Hall for the
            Carmel-by-the-Sea Car Week 2026 Listening Session


Wednesday September 30th - Living Like White Folks - Langston Hughes in Carmel - 7PM in Carpenter Hall.  Hosted by Carmel Public Library Association. Register HERE


Partial List of Activities / Events in October


Thursday - October 1st - Taste of Carmel at the Carmel Mission from 6-9pm.  Another must not miss special evening of food, beverages, music, and much more. Tickets and details HERE


October 1-4 Carmel International Film Festival - Tickets & Details HERE


Saturday - October 3rd - Walk for Freedom. Tickets HERE. A great cause indeed.


Saturday - October 3rd - Annual Poodle Day Events - Great for observers, owners and four-legged friends! Details HERE


Monday - October 5 - City Council Meeting Agenda will be posted HERE when ready

Tuesday - October 6 - City Council Meeting Agenda will be posted HERE when ready


Thursday - October 8 - Carmel-by-the-Sea Tourism Town Hall #2 - in Carpenter Hall 4:30-6:30pm. This is the follow-up to the Aug 20th Town Hall ( here) where we share findings, ideas and issues compiled to date will be shared and more feedback is requested.  Specifics on this session below and to register to attend click HERE


Saturday - October 10 - Meet the Makers - Art & Wine Walk - 4-7 PM  Details and tickets available HERE


Saturday - October 10 - Enjoy and Support this great Non-Profit BBQ.  Details and tickets are available HERE


Friday/Sunday - October 16-18 - Robertson Jeffers - Tor House Festival.
Event registration, signup and details available HERE

 


Saturday - October 17 -  Carmel Prepares - Shaken, Soaked & Prepared
held from 10-11am in Carpenter Hall - Please join the City, Carmel Police, CERT Team, and Monterey Fire. Details and past programs available HERE.


Saturday - October 17th - CRA's Beach Clean Up 9:30 AM to Noon.  Gather at the west end of Ocean Avenue - we provide buckets, gloves and more  Details HERE


Wednesday - October 21 - CPLF's How Immigrants Made the Monterey Peninsula. 7PM in Carpenter Hall.  Hosted by Carmel Public Library Association. Register HERE


Thursday - October 22 - CRA Hosts Jimmy Panetta for a Village Town Hall - 5-6:30 PM in Carpenter Hall.   Please save this date. Details to follow!  Our US House of Representative for the California District 19th, who will also again be on our November Ballots!


Sunday - October 25th - Sunset Center Community Celebrating 100 years - Free 1-4 PM

Free Community Celebration with something for everyone - including free performances in the main theater including Carmel Bach Festival, Monterey Symphony, Carmel Music Society, Chamber Music Monterey Bay and much more. More details HERE


For more Village activities & enjoyment...

  • Sunset Center - Event Calendar HERE 

  • Monterey Symphony - Event/Programs Calendar HERE  

  • Pac Rep Theaters - Event Calendar HERE 

  • ICantori di Carmel - Event Calendar HERE 
  • Cherry Center Theater - Event Calendar HERE 

  • And remember to check out
    the Carmel Library HERE, 
    the Carmel Womans Club HERE and
    the Carmel Foundation HERE - who are constantly rolling out great programs to their members and guests.

We provide the latest current information and resources on our CRA Website for our Members and our Residents, in our Village and beyond!  This includes our calendar, documents, publications, current info on Hot Topics, links to other Village sources and organizations and so much more. Your suggestions are always welcome!   

Past email "News You Can Use" and the printed CRA Voice Newsletters can be found on our Archives page HERE.   


Carmel Residents Association
PO Box 13, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921   501(c)(4) Non-Profit
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