Thomas Small, along with his colleagues, labeled real estate investor Michael Hackman as having "too much influence," despite accepting over $300,000 in payroll from Hackman via the non-profit organization, Culver City Forward, while serving as an elected official. This was all happening during the time when “Move Culver City” was being conceived and executed as a "quick-build" project—a project Small, who served on City Council from 2016-2020, himself admitted was a temporary pilot, meant to be adjusted and changed. Now, those same individuals are arguing that any changes to it are sacrilege. Time to pull back the curtain on their selective narratives.
Michael Hackman provided the funding for Culver City Forward, the nonprofit organization, but he did not design or execute the "Move Culver City" project. That responsibility fell to Thomas Small and his close circle, who were the true architects behind the project, despite later distancing themselves from its controversial aspects.
Bryan "Bubba" Fish, Nancy Barba, and Yasmine-Imani McMorrin are fully entrenched in Thomas Small's camp, going as far as suing the city to prevent changes to the “Move Culver City” project. This lawsuit, which they lost, cost the city $200,000 in legal fees—a hefty price for a political stunt by a sitting Councilmember and two candidates.
Even more outrageous, their lawsuit argued that because McMorrin, Barba, and Fish might win the election, the judge should halt the city’s road changes.
Courts don't exist to speculate on election outcomes.
The evidence is crystal clear: Bryan "Bubba" Fish, Nancy Barba, and Yasmine-Imani McMorrin are not just ignoring but actively opposing the overwhelming 85% of residents who want changes to the streets.
Even Thomas Small, their ally, admits that these changes were always intended as part of the plan’s flexible, adjustable nature. Their failed lawsuit, which cost the city $200,000, wasn’t just a loss—it was a blatant attempt to derail progress and disregard public opinion.
Thomas Small, even after leaving his post as councilmember, went on the conference circuit to promote the "Move Culver City" project, praising it as a model for urban planning. At the 2022 VxVerde conference, Small moderated a discussion with Alex Fisch, who lost his re-election bid after many contentious frays with his constituents. Both Small and Fisch touted the supposed success and adaptability of the "Move Culver City" project, all while ignoring the fact that many Culver City residents were expressing frustration and concern about the project’s impact on their daily lives. This disconnect between his public statements and the genuine concerns of the community further reveals how out of touch Small and his allies have become.
Thomas Small's allies, Bryan "Bubba" Fish, Nancy Barba, and Yasmine-Imani McMorrin aren’t the grassroots champions they claim to be—they’re entrenched in a narrative that works against the very community they say they represent.
And it goes further.
Patricia Garcia, who served as treasurer for both Fred Puza and Kelly Kent’s campaigns, is also an administrator on the "Culver City Unofficial" Facebook group, which has faced controversy over transparency in moderating posts. Garcia was also Thomas Small's campaign treasurer and held the same role for Daniel Lee’s 2018 campaign. This web of connections, with Garcia at the center, reveals a deeper pattern of influence masquerading as resistance.
These figures aren’t challenging external forces—they’ve been the establishment all along, using their roles to maintain control and block any change that doesn’t serve their interests.
Culver City residents deserve to examine these primary sources and understand the true narrative behind "Move Culver City" and the actions of their local leaders.
Sources:
Culver City Forward IRS 990 Filings
Thomas Small interview about 'tactical urbanism'
Thomas Small urban planning conference
