Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗
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Mayor Kelli Curtis delivered Kirkland's 2026 State of the City address“The following speech was delivered by Mayor Kelli Curtis at the State of the City and Community Appreciation Night event on May 7, 2026.”
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The address was delivered at a Community Appreciation Night event“Good evening, everyone. I’m Kelli Curtis, and I have the great honor of serving as your Mayor. Welcome to This Night in Kirkland, our 2026 State of the City address and Community Appreciation Night! This is my favorite evening because we celebrate the many people who make Kirkland so unique, wonderful, and welcoming.”
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The event was held on May 7, 2026“The following speech was delivered by Mayor Kelli Curtis at the State of the City and Community Appreciation Night event on May 7, 2026.”
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The event was held at the Kirkland Performance Center“Tonight, we sit here ”
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The event celebrated volunteers, community partners, businesses, nonprofits, city staff, and residents“Tonight, we recognize our volunteers, our Boards and Commissions, our community partners, our businesses, our nonprofit organizations, our City staff, and our residents.”
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The event's theme was centered on the Beatles song 'All Together Now'“Tonight is inspired by the Beatles song “All Together Now.” Paul McCartney wrote this song in the British “music hall” tradition of calling the audience to join in and sing along.”
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Mayor Kelli Curtis emphasized that Kirkland's strength stems from collective care“Kirkland is a vibrant, green, safe, and beautiful city because all of us choose, every single day, to be stewards of the place we call home. We show up for our city and we show up for each other. We care for each other, now and into the future. My six talented colleagues on the Council are joining me tonight. These Councilmembers are your neighbors. They are parents and pet owners, coaches, docents, and volunteers. They stroll our streets, play in our parks, and shop in our stores. They are people who love Kirkland dearly. This Council cares not just for the Kirkland of today, but the future Kirkland that our children, grandchildren, and many more generations will enjoy.”
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Mayor Kelli Curtis stated, 'Dark times are exactly when we are called to care for each other and our community.'“Dark times are exactly when we are called to care for each other and our community.”
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Mayor Kelli Curtis highlighted the city's vibrancy, safety, and beauty“Kirkland is a vibrant, green, safe, and beautiful city because all of us choose, every single day, to be stewards of the place we call home.”
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Mayor Kelli Curtis described the city's vibrancy, safety, and beauty as results of residents' daily commitment to being stewards of their home“Kirkland is a vibrant, green, safe, and beautiful city because all of us choose, every single day, to be stewards of the place we call home.”
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The mayor acknowledged the six Councilmembers“My six talented colleagues on the Council are joining me tonight.”
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The mayor described the Councilmembers as neighbors who actively engage in community life through volunteering, parenting, and local activities“These Councilmembers are your neighbors. They are parents and pet owners, coaches, docents, and volunteers. They stroll our streets, play in our parks, and shop in our stores. They are people who love Kirkland dearly.”
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Deputy Mayor Neal Black is a technology lawyer with two adult sons“Deputy Mayor Neal Black’s reason for serving is to demonstrate effective governance by local government. Beyond Council, he works hard as a technology lawyer. He and his wife share two sons in their 20s.”
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Councilmember Jay Arnold is a father of three daughters focused on climate action“Councilmember Jay Arnold first ran for Council to make a difference in the climate through local actions. He is a father to three daughters, whom he has spent the last 15 years cheering on in gymnastics.”
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Councilmember Amy Falcone is a mother of three who volunteers at schools“Councilmember Amy Falcone ran because, as a mom to three, she wanted to help shape our community’s future. Outside of serving on Council, she enjoys volunteering at her kids’ schools, spending time with family and friends at the theater, and traveling.”
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Councilmember Jon Pascal is an outdoors enthusiast preparing for empty-nest life“For Councilmember Jon Pascal, serving on Council is a way to give back in a direct and meaningful way to the community that has given him so much. He is a lover of the outdoors who skis and hikes whenever he can, and he’s currently soaking up time with his youngest before he and his wife become empty nesters next year.”
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Councilmember Shil9a Prem enjoys running and dancing“null”
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Councilmember John Tymczyszyn is a Little League coach for his children“Councilmember John Tymczyszyn chose to run to make our city a better place to grow up for his three children. His devotion to his kids has also led him to serve as both a coach and umpire with Kirkland American Little League.”