New commissioner Carolyn Alkire introduces herself to commission, cites environmental‑economics background

Carolyn Alkire, the commission's newly appointed member, introduced herself at the start of the meeting and summarized her professional background and local experience. "I've been an environmental economist for 30 some years," Alkire said, citing past work for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, the Wilderness Society and recent consulting supporting NOAA Fisheries.

Alkire said she moved to Carlsbad 20 years ago, taught economics at Palomar College and has previously served on a local agricultural conversion fee mitigation committee. Commissioners and attendees welcomed her to the commission; several speakers noted that her economics experience will be helpful for environmental and land‑use discussions. The commission did not take any formal votes related to the appointment during this meeting; Alkire's remarks were an introductory item on the agenda.