CARLSBAD — Mayor Keith Blackburn concluded the annual State of the City address by paying tribute to longtime former council member Ann Kulchin, a mentor and civic leader who served the city for over three decades.
Ann Kulchin, who spent 32 years on the City Council, died March 9, after her State of the City interview was recorded but before the video aired Sept. 1
Blackburn said that when they voted differently while serving together on the council, Kulchin, a former elementary school teacher, would slide him a note, humorously asking, “Do you still like me?”
“This was the kind of person I got to work with and someone who served our community for so many years,” he said. “Ann always quoted a poet and said, ‘People don’t remember you for what you said or what you did, but they will remember you for how you made them feel.
Kulchin was first elected to the City Council in 1980 and played a key role in developing the city’s first growth management plan and building the Dove Library, where the courtyard was named in her honor in 2022.
She served on numerous organizations’ boards, including Encina Wastewater Authority, North County Transit District, SANDAG’s Shoreline Preservation Committee and the foundations supporting the Agua Hedionda, Batiquitos and Buena Vista lagoons.
Kulchin, who also served with the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation and North County Concert Association, received honors including Carlsbad Woman of the Year and California Women in Government recognition. In 2013, she and her husband received the Scripps Encinitas Circle of Life Distinguished Achievement Award.
“Ann, you were successful,” Blackburn said. “You made us all feel like we were part of your family. Thank you. I miss you so much.”
The remainder of the State of the City video highlighted various projects, initiatives and people throughout Carlsbad.
Blackburn said that while other cities typically place the responsibility solely on the mayor, he appreciated having the rest of the council address specific topics throughout the video.
“It’s always fun to see what [Blackburn] comes up with,” said Mayor Pro Tem Priya Bhat-Patel.
During her segment, Bhat-Patel discussed upgrades and projects at several public spaces. The work included the groundbreaking at Veterans Memorial Park and a percussion exhibit at the Sculpture Garden near Georgina Cole Library.
“I’m really excited about what’s next,” Bhat-Patel said from the dais. “We have more spaces that will bring our neighbors together, more opportunities to explore the outdoors that we’re so lucky to have and a community that keeps growing while staying true to what makes it special.”
Councilmember Teresa Acosta highlighted a range of environmental projects the city has undertaken.
Those efforts included expanding access to electric vehicle charging stations in public parking lots, using 100% renewable energy to power all city facilities and working with local businesses.
The city added 14 businesses to its Carlsbad Green Business Network, bringing the total to 72, according to the city.
“We feel a deep connection here in Carlsbad to our places,” Acosta said from the dais. “To our land, our three lagoons, our pristine coastlines – seven miles long – and all of our open spaces. We understand that we have to be good environmental stewards and protect our environmental resources.”
Councilmember Melanie Burkholder discussed changes to the city’s built environment during her segment.
Those projects included adding all-way stops in the Barrio and Village communities and sidewalk improvements throughout the city.
“I am excited for this year’s video because our community will see there’s so much happening in Carlsbad to make our city more accessible and more livable,” Burkholder said from the dais, “helping to uphold our incredible quality of life.”
Councilmember Kevin Shin danced the Cabbage Patch, a popular 1980s dance move, to express his enthusiasm about reduced traffic congestion following the El Camino Real widening project.
The segment also highlighted public safety efforts, including the new Community-Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving team, e-bike laws and a new approach to enforcing fireworks laws.
“We focus primarily on the public safety aspect, but I did want to emphasize that our public works team is a first responder,” Shin said from the dais, referencing recent repairs to a sinkhole along El Camino Real.
After the video, City Manager Geoff Patnoe said that while he appreciated the opportunity to highlight the work of city employees throughout the year, the 27-minute video could have been “three or four hours long” to cover all their efforts.
