City of Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council Councilmember Dave Potter

The sharp whacking sound of pickleballs ricocheting off of paddles became too much for neighbors surrounding Forest Hill Park’s four pickleball courts in Carmel.

Fittingly, in a town known for having more restaurants per capita than any other small city in America, many Carmel City Council candidates held their election watch parties at local eateries with the exception of Mayor Dave Potter and challenger Jeff Baron, who retreated to the comfort of their homes to watch the numbers roll in on election night, Nov. 5.

Fittingly, in a town known for having more restaurants per capita than any other small city in America, many Carmel City Council candidates held their election watch parties at local eateries with the exception of Mayor Dave Potter and challenger Jeff Baron, who retreated to the comfort of their homes to watch the numbers roll in on election night, Nov. 5.

The tragic shooting death of a young man in Carmel experiencing a mental health incident on Friday, Oct. 25 had a big impact on residents and workers of the small village, especially in the immediate neighborhood.

For such a small town, Carmel has some big issues to decide, like where to squeeze in affordable homes, what to do about a crumbling police station and the threat of sea level rise.