Meet the Candidates: Berea City Council: Jeffrey Martin

My name is Jeffrey Martin, a 32-year-old small business owner, and I’m running for Berea City Council.
Originally from Lewiston, Maine, I’ve made Berea my home for the past eight years, where I run Martin
Metalwork, LLC. Along with my business, I serve on the board of the Berea Makerspace, a local non-
profit that supports creative community projects. As my fiancée and I prepare to raise a family here, I’m
committed to helping Berea grow in a way that supports local businesses, strengthens community ties,
and preserves the natural beauty of our town

I',m running for office for the first time because I think Berea is at an important point in
its growth, and I want to be part of shaping its future. As a small business owner, I get the
challenges that our local entrepreneurs are up against, and I'm passionate about pushing
for policies that support sustainable growth

One of the biggest issues I see in Berea right now is that we have four main groups that really
affect the city: The City Council and Mayor, the Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism
Department, and Berea College. But the problem is, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of
communication between them. I’d really like to change that and be a part of making it happen.
My goal would be to get everyone at the same table more often—whether that’s through joint
meetings or other ways to share ideas and plans. If we can open up better communication
between these groups, I think we’d see more progress and alignment in how we tackle the issues
facing our city. We all want the same thing—a stronger Berea—and I believe working together
more closely is key. My vision is for Berea to remain a welcoming and innovative community,
while ensuring we protect the unique character and resources that make our city special.

I believe the role of the city government is to foster a welcoming and stable environment for both
current and future residents to live and build community. This means maintaining and improving
the town’s infrastructure, working to bring well-paying jobs to the area, ensuring affordable
housing is available, and ultimately making sure things are moving in a positive direction for
everyone.

With my experience in entrepreneurship and community involvement, I believe I can offer fresh
ideas and practical solutions on the City Council. I’m ready to work hard, listen to the
community, and help guide Berea toward a vibrant and successful future.

From the publisher: Jeffrey's candidate profile was inadvertently left out of this week's edition. The Citizen apologizes for the error.