CARLSBAD — First-time and returning council members and a new city treasurer were sworn into office Tuesday at a Carlsbad City Council meeting, during which appointed Councilmember Carolyn Luna passed the torch.
Newly-elected Councilmember Kevin Shin, a business owner and fire captain, defeated Tyler Collins, a businessman and chair of the Carlsbad Housing Commission, for the District 2 seat — the city’s largest district by land area.
Since appointee Luna could not run, the election guaranteed either Shin or Collins, both political newcomers, to the District 2 seat.
“These are the biggest shoes I think anyone has to fill, someone with the amount of expertise that Carolyn has,” Shin said during his inaugural speech. “Each and every one of you who has shown up, you already know how much I love and care for you, and how much I’m going to support you.”
In District 4, covering the southern portion of South Beach, Aviara, La Costa Oaks, La Costa Ridge, Rancho La Costa and Carlsbad’s southern boundary with Encinitas, voters reelected incumbent Councilmember Teresa Acosta, a businesswoman and former professor, over challenger Greg Day, an airline pilot and Marine combat veteran.
“I’m always thinking about how we can continue to make a difference, make a positive difference in our quality of life, in the community,” Acosta said during the meeting. “We’re talking about protecting our small town charm, despite outside pressures, caring for the environment while also meeting the needs of a growing population, supporting local businesses, while also helping our youth, our seniors and working families that are struggling with the cost of living.”
City Treasurer-elect Christian Peacox won a four-way competition for the role after holding a narrow lead over challenger Gregorio Kahn in the closely contested Carlsbad city treasurer race. Peacox led the field in the race, closely followed by Kahn, Thomas Krouse, Jr., and Michael J. Williams.
“I wanted to thank my family, my supporters, other candidates, for helping me along the way, and, most importantly, the voters, for giving me the opportunity to serve as your next city treasurer,” Peacox said. “I promise to increase transparency and protect and grow our financial resources.”