The annual mayoral address, Culver City’s State of the City, got another unique venue on November 6, 2025 at the Culver Theater. Mayor Dan O’Brien took to the stage in Theater 3 in front of a large crowd of Culver City’s stakeholders; local leaders, school board members, business owners, city council members and city staff.
The occasion of the State of the City has evolved in recent years; when the Mayor’s year-long term is ending, it’s time to celebrate the accomplishments and note the challenges of the office. As the mayor has the option of naming the time and place, O’Brien chose the Culver Theaters in downtown, a nod to his professional history as a film editor, and a wink to Culver City’s creative economy.
O’Brien was effusive about his love for his adopted hometown. “Culver City has been a part of my identity, even before I came onto the [city] council.”
The Mayor offered his thanks to two prominent city employees who will be retiring, Housing Director Tevis Barnes and City Manager John Nachbar. “We’ve worked together for a long time, and I’m grateful for your service.”
It was a foregone conclusion that there would be a broadcast; that was the point of presenting in a theater. He showed a short video, in his crisp and expansive signature style, about the good and the bad of the past year. The images were accompanied by the violin of Emer Kinsella, noted local composer, who did a ‘live soundtrack’ with feeling and flare.
Noting that the brutal immigration enforcement raids had caused a great deal of pain and suffering, the mayor focused on Enrique Lozano, who he introduced in the audience. Lozano, the “ice cream man” whose case caused a national outcry against the federal administration, spent 114 days in detention before being returned to his family and his community. O’Brien was emphatic about how unethical, unacceptable and un-American these federal efforts were, and how painful to the community.
He was also able to offer a number of accomplishments; new bus and bike lanes, record breaking attendance at Fiesta La Ballona, and the agreement to host the New Zealand Hospitality House for LA28 Olympic Games.
This pivoted into a unique offering; a panel discussion on sports diplomacy with guests Rahsaan Bahati, a profession cyclist and the founder of the Bahati Foundation, and Jorrit De Vries, of the Ministry of Economic Affairs for the Netherlands. Asking about how sports offered the benefits of community in a larger scope, the they spoke about their histories with sports and the possibilities of future developments.
Mayors tend to take the stage for themselves (and city staff) during a State of the City address. Sharing the venue and the audience with the panel created a moment to look towards what options and ideals might be a part of the future.
Mayor O’Brien made it clear that the progress and the unexpected challenges had put his term in the office far beyond his expectations. He offered his hopes for the future as the prize worth winning.
Judith Martin-Straw
