Growth, arts, parks, housing, and crap food are hot topics for Berea City Council candidates

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Hello.

A bit of local election lagniappe for you as we verge on the Day of the Ballot Box. I am so excited to have new subscribers—even people I didn’t personally tell to subscribe, LOL. Welcome everyone.

On occasion, you can expect informal (even cheeky) missives like this from me, especially if you’re a paid subscriber, because those are the folks to whom I am more likely to send my hot takes—a perk of membership in this growing online community. Still, this post is for everyone.

Last evening I attended the Berea Chamber of Commerce’s second Meet the Candidates forum, featuring most candidates running for City Council. I wasn’t sure whether I’d write about it, given that I told you I would begin publishing in 2 weeks. But, lucky you, here we are with a synopsis of what 14 of the 17 candidates’ visions for Berea is. (Missing from the panel were incumbents Jerry Little and David Roulette, and candidate Robyn Jane Moreland.)

Aside from coming away with gobs of stories to explore in the near future, I also have a clearer idea of who stands for what, and so, I reckon, did the 50+ other people also in the room.

The forum format

Part One of the forum featured one question at a time, taken from a list of 20 sent in by area citizens, posed by the Chamber’s moderator, realtor Randy Carpenter, to a candidate whose name was drawn from a basket at random. Each candidate had four minutes to answer. Only 14 candidates showed, so only 14 questions got answered. Questions were ordered according to how frequently citizens had asked it.

This arrangement kept the candidates on their toes, with only Steve Caudill remembering to introduce himself before answering what his vision for Berea’s future is. Three other candidates got stuck with questions they had to admit they didn’t know how to answer. They were…

Ronnie Terrill: Is Berea government transparent?” (We try, he said.)
Teresa Wren: Is the current utility contract with Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency (KYMEA) better than it was with Kentucky Utilities (KU)? (No idea, was the sum.)
Erica Chambers: What about Berea’s infrastructure needs improving? (Here to learn, including about infrastructure, was the reply.)

All three made a handy comeback (read on), however, during Part Two, when each candidate was given the opportunity to speak freely for four minutes, now that they all were drained of their adrenaline, and relaxed enough to remind us who they were and what they want to achieve in office on our behalf.

For what it’s worth, the second time around kept the candidates to the same order established in Part One by the Sorting Basket. And to that end—

Here are my short summaries of the questions asked and what I heard each candidate say, in sum, during Parts One and Two.

DISCLAIMER: I have not verified any claims made by the candidates, nor have I relayed the questions or what the candidates answered verbatim.

1. What’s your vision of Berea’s future?

Steve Caudill (incumbent): Growth opportunities wherever they can be found should be pursued, otherwise our kids won’t be able to stick around and prosper. He said we’ve run out of industrial acreage — something rebuffed by another candidate (read on). Caudill said “growth” four times, at least. Also, hiring a city manager or a full-time mayor and ditching the current p/t mayor and city council structure here in town is a no go with him (why on earth would we do that? Read on…). KU was awful.

2. Is Berea’s local government transparent?

Ronnie Terrill (incumbent): Officials do their best to let folks know what’s happening. Maybe the town needs an employee whose job it is to answer citizen questions. We need more traffic relief; the recently opened bypass doesn’t offer enough, nor is it bright enough at night, so let’s have some street lights. Berea College president Dr. Cheryl Nixon should be commended for approaching the Council to ask how the city and college might work together—novel and encouraging! FAHE (ed. note: an Appalachian nonprofit network that I do not know why is acronymed FAHE) is seeking to tear down the old rubber factory adjacent to its offices on Oak Street, which Terrill thinks would open up the possibility of a community park being built there. And KU was awful.

3. Should Berea have invested in the now failed regional development project that was to have tied Berea to Madison, Georgetown, Fayette and Scott counties, part of a regional economic development venture approved by a majority of the current City Council?

Steve Davis: Invest locally first, but don’t sniff at opportunities such as the lost-by-a-nose Triple Crown Regional Business Park. If such a thing should come around again, it’s wise to investigate it. And because he’s a CPA, you can bet all the budgets and data will get a good look-see if he’s elected.

4. Does the City collaborate well and enough with local organizations?

Cora Jane Wilson (incumbent): The City should seek to partner and cooperate with outside organizations such as the Chamber and Sustainable Berea, but also needs to let up a tad on its control freaky vibe. Also praised Dr. Nixon for opening the door to more and deeper City/College collabs in future, which is good because, she said, “We need to partner more with them.” Ran for office about a decade ago after she retired from working with City utilities, because, she said, she thought City workers’ voices needed to be heard. Do not hire a city manager, keep the part-time mayor. Also, KU was awful.

5. How should the City best meet the needs of the underserved and under-represented in our community?

John Payne: Wants to innovate how Berea and other municipalities and area counties serve those in need, in particular the unhoused, so all can become more efficient and cost effective. Gotta go figure out where the folks who need things are, though, and ask them what they want first (Teresa Wren knows, see below). We need more shopping and entertainment in town if we want our kids to stick around. That bypass sure does need lights — traffic lights so people stop wrecking their cars and dying there. And what’s up with there not being enough egress points from Stoney Creek? (ed. note: Payne is a Madison County librarian who, in true info-man fashion, handed out copies of the ballot with every candidate’s name and incumbency spelled out so noobs like me could easily do this thing I am doing now.)

6. What can Berea do to promote local small businesses?

Christoper Allen Preece: We need a yearly artist in residence to help us animate the City’s “Art’s Alive in Berea” claim. Also, be proactive about clearly communicating requisite information about local laws and happenings to help local businesses know what they need to know to start, grow, and sustain their operations. Find ways to keep money changing hands locally, not to corporations that set up here but aren’t invested civically in the community here. Engage youths to become civic minded with a Council Club at school (Preece is a chemistry teacher at Community School). Send the club kids to shadow actual Council members for a day. And by the way, food is medicine, so why are there so many barriers here for everyone to access whole, nutritious food? And — parks. More on the periphery of town, please.

7. Given its population growth, does the City function optimally under its current home city rule structure of a part-time mayor who has all but the power of the purse when it comes to decision-making, while Council decides the budget?

Teresa Scenters (incumbent): The former publisher of the Berea Citizen is pondering whether our growth means it’s time for Berea to abandon the current part-time mayor/council structure and move to having either a commission or city manager. “It’s definitely something to consider,” she said. Believes in limited government and warned that you can’t always get what you want. Also thinks there’s not enough communication to the public by the City.

8. Is the emphasis on and investment in our bike paths and hiking trails a good thing?

Bobby Abner: Not so much — worries about Berea’s youth and the lack of attention facilities intended for their benefit seem to get. Specifically, has observed more drug activity at Community Skate Park than people think. Our ballfields are meh, but by redirecting the town’s restaurant tax revenues, money could be spent on improving them — and paying for more public safety officers to patrol the park with the drugs. Also, would like the revenues to pay for EMT and other services, not tourism. And yeah, what’s up with only one egress at Stoney Creek? (Ed. note: I want to know, too. It was also mentioned at a recent Planning and Zoning meeting because what happens if there’s an emergency and not everyone can get out? I will have more on this to come…)

9. Should Berea still be called the state’s “arts and crafts capitol”?

Martin J. Richards: Better and more promotion of the town’s two claims to fame — arts and the college — is needed, as we are the envy of other such small towns, so use the swagger. A former furniture maker, also has 20+ years of public policy and land use experience, ran a largish nonprofit, and wants you to know that in fact, we have not used up all the acreage slotted for industry: there are 87 acres left. Also, concerned that homelessness is the state’s biggest issue, as reflected in our deficit of 1,100 homes to people. Build those homes, house the people—including BC grads who want to stay—and rake in 16 million, he said, for the City’s budget, and don’t forget to partner with the College, who is the City’s largest landowner.

10. Does the City have adequate public transportation?

Jeffrey M. Martin: Nope. There needs to be access to rides for folks who live west of the Interstate so they don’t have to walk over the exit ramp to get to WalMart. Supports allowing street legal, low-speed vehicles (side-by-sides, golf carts, etc.). Wonders why our housing authority is so under-utilized and wants it to have “teeth”. As a board member of the Maker Space, thinks collabs with the College are a good way to secure the future of arts and business here. Was a youth “beautification” worker growing up (read on). Says he will self-fund his own education in basics of municipal leadership through the national League of Cities. Thinks him being 33 (in a few weeks) makes him a good role model for younger people to get involved at the municipal level.

11. Should we hire local kids for beautification projects (pick up trash, etc.) in the summer?

Jim Davis (incumbent): Yes. We already have area kids paid to pick up trash. The problem is attracting them to apply for the jobs. More investments need to be made in our area parks and recreation facilities. Thinks the inter-local, regional development model is good for Berea, happy to remind us of his leadership on improving the Owsley Fork Reservoir dam is now bearing fruit, and Donna Angel, our economic development executive director is great, but finding it difficult to entice a grocery store to build here (ed. note: That’s not uncommon when WalMart will be their competitor). What’s up with Stoney Creek only having one egress point? And, KU was awful.

12. What can the City do to increase communication to the public about whether the budget is transparent and efficient?

Katie Startzman (incumbent): That’s the Council’s job! Budgets are complicated, but policy is set by how monies are spent, so explaining as it happens is essential. Council has to step up its communication with the public, perhaps by a website that has a FAQ section first rather than hiring a public liaison right off. When Council members receive information packets about topics, they could share them with the public, such as on the City’s Facebook page along with links to videos of the meetings, to create an expectation for the public that information is available. More transparency, more trust. Also, focus on small businesses because Berea will love them back; she owns Native Bagel and says she turns down offers from other locations who want her there.

13. Was the City’s decision to leave KU in favor of KYMEA a good one, and do you support the Eastern Kentucky Power Co-op’s planned 69 kV Big Hill line to be clear cut through Red Lick and the environs (ed. note: The Edge is on that, story to come soon)?

Teresa Wren: Wasn’t up to speed on the pros and cons of City utility choices made over two years ago, and said she was “50/50” on the Big Hill Line because people might need the power, but it might wreck the environment. Is a Madison County public schools bus driver who is running because she is concerned about the youth she interacts with as such. Plot twist: didn’t have a prepared stump speech so, threw the audience the floor for an impromptu Q/A. Was asked if we should do something about fireworks. Yes, tone it down on the Fourth of July, people. (Ed. note: Whether the question was about a city-run fireworks event, or Lone Ranger Roman candle displays wasn’t clear.) Emphasized that children in our town are malnourished, and she wants to help them have better access to nourishing food. In a sideline interview, Wren confirmed with me she knows kids who do not get enough to eat.

14. What infrastructure improvements does the City need?

Erica Chambers: Doesn’t know, but does care. Wants to learn, wants less division. Was exercised about pernicious politics that squash good things for the City and divide people. Thinks the arts community is neglected and needs representation at the city level, and she wants to be its advocate. Was one of the drivers of having free Levitt AMP concerts here in town, but Dreaming Creek Brewery was unable to sell beer for a long while because of “politics” even though to have done so would have been legal.

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Well folks, that’s what I heard. On Facebook (which depressingly, has been the only source for actual information around here for too long), there are various pages setup by the candidates, and some of them are useful and informative.

Early voting in Berea starts tomorrow. The official Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. Polls will be open from 6.a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information: Kentucky Election has all the deets to help you locate your polling place and answer general questions.

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Whitney