📬 Mayor Dan O'Brien — Culver City — December 9, 2025

Hello friends,

Fifteen years ago, in my cozy home edit bay in Veterans Park, I put the final touches on a commercial for a client who is one of a hundred clients I’ve worked with over the years. Deadline met, invoice sent. That's how most of my career went—tell a story in 30 seconds, ship it, move on to the next one.

But serving this city is different. Every decision lingers. Every conversation matters long after the meeting adjourns. Last night I passed the gavel to Freddy Puza, and what I'm left with isn't an invoice or a trophy—it's gratitude for what we built together this year.

🏛️ Community Development & Leadership

🔹 Freddy Puza begins his term as mayor. At last night's Council meeting, we completed the annual rotation—Freddy stepped into the mayor's seat, and Bubba Fish became vice mayor for the next 12 months. I'm proud of the collaborative tone I maintained this year, even through tough budget decisions and competing priorities. The work doesn't stop when you move down the dais. I'm still your councilmember, still showing up, still listening.

→ 💡 What this means: Culver City's mayor role is largely ceremonial, but it sets the tone for how we engage with each other and our community. Freddy's leadership will bring his own perspective and priorities, and I’ll continue to work for you.

👉 View meeting details

🔹 Odis Jones assumes his role as City Manager on December 15. Last night's Council meeting included the formal approval of Odis's employment agreement. With over 30 years of experience in local government, economic development, and infrastructure leadership, Odis steps in as our City Manager John Nachbar retired after 15 years of distinguished service to Culver City and 46 years in public service overall. John has been a trusted leader who has always maintained a steady presence in sometimes turbulent environments, but I'm confident Odis will bring energy and strategic vision to our organization to move forward as we tackle the challenges ahead.

→ 🎯 My take: This transition comes at a pivotal time. We need someone who can navigate complex regional issues, strengthen our fiscal foundation, and keep our services strong. Odis has the track record to do that work.

👉 Read about Odis Jones's selection

🔹 Reflecting on a year I gave everything to. Last week, Christian May-Suzuki at the Culver Crescent asked me about my year as mayor—the wins, the exhaustion, the "bags under my eyes" that tell the story better than words. It was a year of personal and professional challenges, but also one where I showed up with everything I had. If you're curious what kept me up at night or what I'm proudest of, the interview captures that honestly.

👉 Read the Culver Crescent interview

🎄 Community Celebrations

🔹 Last week's Tree Lighting brought 30 years of AVPA to life. Thursday's Sled-tacular packed Town Plaza with families sledding through 50 tons of snow, singing along with 250 students from our public schools, and watching Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox help light the 25-foot tree. Dr. Tony Spano thanked "this village" for 30 years of supporting the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts at Culver City High School, and the applause from residents said it all. Events like this remind me why we fight so hard to keep arts programs funded and our community spaces vibrant.

🔹 Santa's making the rounds through December 20. The Culver City Police Officers Association is bringing Santa to parks and neighborhoods across the city. This Wednesday, December 10, join us for Cocoa with Cole and Santa at the Police Department from 5 to 7:30 PM. Street parking is available near the PD at 4040 Duquesne Avenue, or use the City Hall parking structure. Upcoming stops include McManus Park and Blair Hills Park on December 11, and visits continue through December 20 at locations across town.

👉 View upcoming city events

📅 This Week & Looking Ahead

🔹 Every Tuesday, 2-7 PM — Downtown Farmers Market. Main Street. Grab produce, support local growers, and say hello to neighbors.

👉 Visit the Farmers Market page

🔹 How to watch and participate in meetings. Agendas post Wednesdays before Monday meetings. You can attend in person or virtually.

👉 How to watch meetings

👉 View Meetings & Agendas

🙏 One Last Note

Bev and I have been surrounded by so many of you who've trusted me with this responsibility as mayor and it has reminded me that public service isn't about titles. It's about showing up when things are hard, listening when you'd rather talk, and remembering that every email, every hello at the park, every tough question at a Council meeting is how we build something worth protecting.

I'm not going anywhere. Just moving a couple seats down. And there's still so much to do.

Together, we can build a stronger, more connected Culver City. Thank you for being part of our community.

Dan O'Brien
Mayor, Culver City
dan.obrien@culvercity.org