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Mayor Dan O'Brien Newsletter — January 4, 2026
📬 Councilmember Dan O'Brien — Culver City — January 6, 2026
Happy New Year everyone,
The new year started quietly in my edit bay. Just me, a cup of coffee (then my second and third), and the familiar hum of a machine rendering footage I'd been working on since before the holidays. Nothing cinematic about this part of the job. But there was something clarifying about easing into 2026 that way—no resolutions shouted into the void, just the work itself.
I'm 55 now, and if 2025 taught me anything, it's that growth happens through struggle. The hard conversations. The late nights wrestling with tough decisions. The moments when optimism feels like a choice you have to make, not a default setting. But that's exactly what I'm carrying forward—the belief that we can take what hurts and transform it into something that inspires.
🏛️ Community Leadership & Engagement
🔹 The final year of my city council term begins this week. Our new mayor brings a different perspective to the role, and I'm here to do the work I’ve always done from my seat on the Council. That doesn't change just because the title does. Monday's Council meeting on January 12 at 7 PM will include discussions on development appeals and ongoing city projects. Agendas post Wednesday mornings, giving you time to review what's coming and decide if you want to weigh in.
→ 🎯 My take: Leadership transitions are healthy for any city. Different voices, different priorities—but the same commitment to serving Culver City well.
⚖️ Honoring Dr. King's Legacy
🔹 Our community's MLK Day celebration is Saturday, January 17. Join us at Veterans Memorial Auditorium (4117 Overland Avenue) for a day of reflection, service, and connection. The event honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s enduring message through live entertainment, special guests, exhibits, a resource fair, and opportunities to engage with local organizations. MLK Day is designated by Congress as a National Day of Service—a chance to strengthen our community through action, not just words.
→ 💡 What this means: This isn't just about remembering Dr. King. It's about asking ourselves what we're building together right now, and whether we're doing the work to create the beloved community he envisioned.
👉 Learn about Culver City's MLK celebration
🌱 Moving Forward Together
🔹 New leadership brings new possibilities. Odis Jones stepped into his role as City Manager on December 15, and he's already working with department heads to map out priorities for the year ahead. With over 30 years of experience in local government and economic development, Odis is focused on strengthening our fiscal foundation while keeping services strong. We’re communicating regularly, with a heavy emphasis on revenue generation without burdening our residents and businesses, so we can update our city’s infrastructure – streets, sidewalks, parks, alleyways and more.
→ 🎯 Why I'm hopeful: We need strategic thinking and steady hands right now. Odis has both, and I'm ready to work with him to move Culver City forward.
📅 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.
🙌 What I'm Taking Into 2026
Last week I posted on Facebook about being a 55-year-old optimist. Some of you reached out to say it resonated. Here's the truth behind that post: 2025 was hard. For many of us. But I refuse to let difficulty be the final word. The symphony of life includes highs and lows, joy and sorrow, and it's often through our struggles that we develop deeper empathy and gratitude.
This year, I'm focused on transformation—taking what's been difficult and using it to inspire something better. Not just for me, but for all of us. That's what service means to me: showing up when it's hard, listening when you'd rather talk, and remembering that every conversation at a Council meeting or hello at the farmers market is how we build something worth protecting.
If something needs attention, if you have an idea worth exploring, or if you just want to share what's working in your neighborhood, hit reply. That's how we keep moving forward together.
Together, we can build a stronger, more connected Culver City. Thank you for being part of our community.
