Meet the Berea City Council Candidates : Part I

Bobby Abner

Hi! My name is Bobby Abner and this is my first time running for City Council. I am married with three children and one grandson.I am member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church. I believe in family values and Christianity. I was a youth director for 11yrs at my church and youth league director for 4 years , so the growth of our youth is very important to me. My reason for running for city council is to make Berea a better place for our children and to put my community first and I believe this is what City Council is about, not just empty buildings.

Steve Caudill

I have been a lifelong Berea resident who left for a short time to attend College.  I am the proud father of 3 incredible daughters and am married to Lindsey (Green) Caudill. 

I am running for office because I think that it is extremely important to both be engaged in your community and also serve your community in roles that you can benefit.  I think that my skillset and knowledge base allow me to bring something to the council that is important for maintaining both our day-to-day operations, but also achieving our aspirational goals as a community. I am currently an incumbent who has served for 10 years on the Council. 

The biggest issue facing Berea currently is the long-term plan for growth in the industrial and business development, and the housing shortage that is created by bringing new employers and employees to the community.  My solution is to continue to work with stakeholders who are wanting to come to our community as well as those who are builders to plan for the future of housing in the City.  It is an extremely complex problem that is going to take all the leaders of our community to solve. 

The role of the city government is to provide all the necessary services for a city to prosper.  That goes from public safety to public works.  We must make sure the infrastructure needed is in place to make Berea a place people want to live and visit.

Erica Chambers

I’m running for city council for the first time to serve the community that has welcomed me and my business for nearly ten years. As a photographer here, I have been on foot in this community capturing meaningful moments and having conversations with you. You’ve invited me into your homes and businesses. I’ve watched you walk your grandchildren through Brushy Fork. I’ve met you and your pup at Tillie’s Dog Park and caught the sunrise on top of the Pinnacles with my own.

Whether it’s our neighbors having a fireside chat in town or talking to tourists who drove from states away to explore any of the many opportunities Berea offers- I’m always excited to be an ambassador for the Berea experience. I want to help take care of that- for everyone who lives here and makes it what it is. I believe in Berea because I have documented proof of what it has to offer. 

Our current council is uneven in representing all Bereans. There is a lack of transparency in our local government and often they pass ordinances very fast and quietly. Politics and religion sway their decision making which is not what elected officials should take heed to. It’s not always about how we move forward, but removing what stunts our growth. I’m working to change that for starters.

Berea City Government’s role is to invest in ensuring the best quality of life and experience that Berea has to offer. 

Jim Davis

I am running for office again to make sure our city stays in good financial standing and to help us grow in business both large and small. I also want to see the completion of the Owsley Fork Dam project which we started pushing for eight years ago in my first run for office. I am completing my fourth term and am seeking my fifth term as a council member.

Berea is growing and along with growth comes the need for more water.berea supplies a large part of the southern end of Madison county’s water. Hopefully, the completion of the Owley Fork Damn Project will supply the necessary water for many years to come.

The role of the Legislative Branch (City Council) is to control the city’s revenue and how it is spent. We are charged with supplying fire and police protection streets and other services that we can provide with the funds available.