Editor’s Note: A questionnaire with the same five questions were sent to each candidate for Berea City Council twice. These are the candidates who responded.
John Payne
1. What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Berea at present, and what plans do you have to address them?
Everything government provides should improve the Quality of life for the members of our community. Our city has multiple infrastructure projects the will increase the city’s water supply, build a long overdue Kenway extension to US25, provide a safe walkway down Scaffold Cane, and many others. Work on these projects began years ago and require persistence to complete. While providing these improvements, we must prioritize, plan and budget maintenance of our existing roads, parks and services.
2. Where do you want to see the City of Berea in 5 years, and how can that be attained?
Hyster’s growth will add 500 new jobs to our community and Astemo will add more than 100. These additions and Walmart’s planned move to a larger building on Mayde Road will certainly effect the growth of our community near exit 77. Working with our Economic Development Department, I believe we are better positioned to attract another grocery store and more dining options than any time in recent history.
3. Flock cameras are a hot topic at the moment. What specific concerns, if any, do you have regarding their use and how would you address those concerns if elected? If you have no concerns, how would you address concerns community members have expressed?
Our contract with Flock runs until March 2026. I have confirmed that at present, Berea’s data is inaccessible after 30 days with strict rules of access and an internal audit every 30 days. While the cameras have been effective in locating stolen vehicles and the vehicle involved in the recent bank shooting, I remain skeptical of the service as a whole. I continue to read about other cities’ experiences with the service and learn about the reason some cities have discontinued their contracts.
4. Data centers are also in the news. How do you feel about data centers? If someone wanted to build one in Berea, would you be for it or would you oppose it?
Based on what I have learned, the negatives far outweigh the positives on allowing a data center in Berea. The city has worked for well over a decade to increase the capacity of Owsley Fork reservoir. I cannot imagine a benefit that a data center could offer that would overcome the additional draw on our electrical and water supply.
5. Berea currently has a surplus of funds. How do you propose the city use those funds?
With careful planning. The reason that we currently have a “rainy day” fund even when other municipalities have struggled in recent years is due to responsible management. New and ongoing projects all have an associated cost. The proposed indoor recreational center is just one of many projects that will ensure Berea’s commitment to improve the quality of life of our current and future generations.
Katie Startzman
1. What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Berea at present, and what plans do you have to address them?
The issue I care most about is supporting small businesses and keeping our downtown districts vibrant. Ten years ago, I started my restaurant Native Bagel Company in my garage with a $3,000 loan from my dad, and as a business coach with the Kentucky Small Business Development Center, I help people start and grow businesses every day. My plan has three parts. First, ask the businesses already here what they need, and bring them together with city leaders and residents to study how we build a downtown where residents want to be, not just one built around tourist events. Second, work on access to space, including public-private partnerships for workspace and an inventory of buildings that are vacant in practice, not just on paper. Third, connect makers and new business owners to the resources we already have, like the Berea Makerspace, Kentucky SBDC and the City of Berea Business Development Director Donna Angel.
Housing is a close second. We’re bringing more jobs to Berea, and those workers need affordable places to live. I also want to keep our city staff strong with competitive pay and succession planning for department heads.
2. Where do you want to see the City of Berea in 5 years, and how can that be attained?
In five years, I want a downtown where residents want to spend their time and new businesses can find space to open. If we build a vibrant Berea for the people who live here, tourists will find us too. I want us to have finished the projects we’ve been working toward: the Kenway connector, Farristown Community Center, the Scaffold Cane multi-use path, and the Owsley Fork dam for long-term water security for our town. I want housing that keeps pace with the jobs we’re creating, and a city and college that work closely together.
We get there by listening to the businesses already here, building on partnerships that work, and continuing to pursue grants so our own dollars go further. I’d come back with six years of experience and relationships with city staff, business leaders, the college, and other local governments, and that’s what gets things done.
3. Flock cameras are a hot topic at the moment. What specific concerns, if any, do you have regarding their use and how would you address those concerns if elected?
I have major concerns about the Flock company and how our data is being used. I’m not convinced Berea needs these cameras. Before I say they should go, I want to hear from the Berea Police Department about how they’re used. I also want answers on the city’s written policy, how use is audited, and who our data is shared with. Council is already discussing this internally and will soon examine it formally and publicly.
4. Data centers are also in the news. How do you feel about data centers? If someone wanted to build one in Berea, would you be for it or would you oppose it?
I support a moratorium on hyperscale data centers while we investigate further. I believe there is no place for data centers in Berea. We are fortunate to have a city-owned utility and local control of our water supply, and I want to protect both, along with our ratepayers.
5. Berea currently has a surplus of funds. How do you propose the city use those funds?
Our careful budgeting and excellent stewardship by our city staff have put the city in a strong position, and we froze property taxes for 2026. I’d use that strength in three ways. First, use our own dollars to match grants, so we keep leveraging outside money for projects like the ones above. Second, invest in our staff through competitive pay and succession planning. Third, put money toward the issues residents tell us matter most, starting with housing and downtown development.
Gina Hudson
1. What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Berea at present, and what plans do you have to address them?
I believe one of Berea’s biggest challenges is figuring out how to grow while protecting the things that make our community special. Through my work with the Farmers Market, local nonprofits and other community projects, I’ve seen how much people care about this community and how much we can accomplish when we work together.
I want to see us plan ahead for infrastructure, water, wastewater, roads and public safety while continuing to support small businesses and opportunities for people of all ages. My approach has always been to listen, bring people together and find practical solutions. I would bring that same approach to City Council.
2. Where do you want to see the City of Berea in 5 years, and how can that be attained?
Five years from now, I want Berea to still feel like Berea—but with even more opportunities for the people who live here. I want young people to see a future here, older adults to remain connected, small businesses to thrive, and families to be able to afford to stay in the community they love.
I believe we get there by being intentional about growth, investing in infrastructure and public spaces, supporting local businesses and listening to residents before making major decisions. My experience has taught me that some of our best ideas come from simply getting people in the same room and asking, “What can we do together?”
3. Flock cameras are a hot topic at the moment. What specific concerns, if any, do you have regarding their use and how would you address those concerns if elected?
I understand why people see value in technology that can help keep our community safe. At the same time, I think residents are right to ask questions about privacy, who has access to the information, how long it is kept and how it can be used.
We should ask ourselves several questions when considering keeping or removing the system such as; how effectively the system is in assisting law enforcement as well as crime deterrence, what contractual obligation do we have to the company, how is the system working for other cities, what are the public’s overall feelings, just to start.
If the choice would be to keep them, I would want clear policies and transparency surrounding Flock cameras. Residents should understand what information is being collected and what safeguards are in place to prevent misuse. I believe we can support public safety while still respecting people’s privacy and civil liberties.
4. Data centers are also in the news. How do you feel about data centers? If someone wanted to build one in Berea, would you be for it or would you oppose it?
I’m not automatically opposed to data centers, but I also don’t believe every economic development opportunity is automatically a good opportunity for Berea.
If someone proposed a data center here, I would want independent studies of its impact on water, wastewater, electricity, roads, the environment and surrounding property before making a decision. I would also want residents to have an opportunity to understand the proposal and be heard.
I believe in economic development, but I believe in responsible economic development. If a project requires significant new infrastructure, the developer should be responsible for those costs rather than passing them on to our residents, farmers or small businesses.
5. Berea currently has a surplus of funds. How do you propose the city use those funds?
I would be careful about treating a surplus as money that simply needs to be spent. I would first make sure we have adequate reserves and a plan for future needs.
After that, I would prioritize investments that improve Berea for the long term—things like infrastructure, maintenance, public safety, sidewalks and other projects that directly improve quality of life.
I’ve spent a lot of time working with community organizations, and one thing I’ve learned is that you have to be a good steward of the resources people entrust to you. I would bring that same mindset to the city’s finances: look ahead, spend wisely and make every dollar work as hard as possible for the people of Berea.
Leah Van Winkle
1. What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Berea at present, and what plans do you have to address them?
One of my biggest priorities is building a stronger, more locally rooted economy. I want to see our vacant storefronts filled, small and medium sized businesses and entrepreneurs thriving, and more opportunities for people to earn a good living right here in Berea. That means exploring business incentives, reducing unnecessary barriers to starting and growing businesses, supporting entrepreneurship and second-chance employment, and making sure our economic development investments benefit our existing community alongside attracting new industry.
Housing affordability and stability are also critical challenges. I would work to establish an affordable housing task force that brings together local government, service providers, housing advocates, developers, and residents directly impacted by housing insecurity. Together, we can explore public-
private partnerships to expand affordable housing, strengthen protections for renters, and pursue additional funding to support housing and direct-service organizations. I also want to ensure Berea is strategically using available resources, including opioid settlement funds, to strengthen recovery services, support people impacted by addiction, and invest in community organizations doing this important work.
Finally, I believe we need more meaningful opportunities for residents to participate in shaping Berea’s future. We need a shared, community-driven vision for where we’re headed, particularly as we make decisions about growth, development, and the use of public resources. My background is in community organizing and facilitation, and I want to bring those skills to City Council by creating more accessible opportunities for public engagement, collaborative planning, and ongoing dialogue between residents and local government.
Across all three priorities, my approach is the same: bring people together, build a shared vision, and turn good ideas into meaningful action.
2. Where do you want to see the City of Berea in five years, and how can that be attained?
In five years, I want Berea to be a place where people of all incomes can afford to live, local businesses are thriving, young people have opportunities and reasons to stay, and our public spaces are vibrant and welcoming.
I envision full storefronts along Chestnut Street and throughout town, more diverse housing options, stronger community services, and neighborhoods where people feel connected and supported. I want Berea to continue embracing the creativity, arts, culture, and independent spirit that make us unique while thoughtfully planning for growth.
Getting there requires intentional planning, partnerships, and a city government willing to listen. We need to align our planning and zoning decisions, economic development investments, and city budget with a shared long-term vision. We also need stronger collaboration among the city, Berea College, local businesses, nonprofits, and residents.
Most importantly, I want us to measure success not just by new development or revenue, but by whether the people who call Berea home are experiencing a better quality of life.
3. Flock cameras are a hot topic at the moment. What specific concerns, if any, do you have regarding their use and how would you address those concerns if elected?
I have serious concerns about Flock cameras, particularly when it comes to privacy, government surveillance, and who ultimately has access to the data being collected.
I understand the value of giving our police department tools to investigate crimes, but I don’t believe public safety should come at the expense of our civil liberties. The potential for widespread tracking of ordinary residents, misuse of personal information, and access by outside agencies, including federal immigration enforcement, raises significant concerns for me.
I would support a thorough public review of Berea’s current contract, including how data is collected, stored, accessed, and shared. I would also want to hear directly from residents and our police department about the benefits, risks, and alternatives. Ultimately, I am inclined to support ending the city’s relationship with Flock rather than continuing to invest in a surveillance system that raises these concerns.
I believe we can support effective law enforcement while protecting people’s rights, and that should be our goal.
4. Data centers are also in the news. How do you feel about data centers? If someone wanted to build one in Berea, would you be for it or would you oppose it?
I would oppose the development of large-scale data centers in Berea.
I believe economic development should create meaningful opportunities for local people while responsibly using our land, water, energy, and other community resources. Large-scale data centers raise serious questions about electricity demand, water consumption, environmental impacts, infrastructure costs, and how many permanent local jobs they actually create.
I’m especially concerned about the potential for increased utility costs to be passed on to residents and small businesses. We should not be subsidizing development that places additional pressure on the resources our community depends on.
I want Berea to focus on economic development that is sustainable, locally rooted, and genuinely beneficial to our residents. That means investing in small businesses, entrepreneurship, local industries, and employers that create lasting opportunities without compromising our community’s long-term well-being.
5. Berea currently has a surplus of funds. How do you propose the city use those funds?
I believe having a strong financial position gives Berea an opportunity to make thoughtful, long-term investments in our community. We should maintain responsible reserves while looking at how available funds can improve people’s everyday lives.
I’d like to see us prioritize affordable housing, public infrastructure, and quality-of-life improvements, including parks, sidewalks, public spaces, and opportunities for young people and families. I would also support exploring how the city can help strengthen our local nonprofit and direct-service organizations, particularly those addressing housing insecurity, recovery, and other critical community needs.
I am particularly interested in using city resources strategically to leverage additional state, federal, and private funding. A relatively modest local investment can sometimes help unlock much larger opportunities through grants and public-private partnerships.
I also believe decisions about significant expenditures should involve meaningful public input. Residents deserve to understand our city’s financial position and have a voice in how available resources are invested.
Ultimately, I want to see us balance fiscal responsibility with a willingness to invest in the things that make Berea a healthier, more connected, and more affordable place to live.
Ali Blair
1. What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Berea at present, and what plans do you have to address them?
Housing comes first. Between gas, childcare, and rent, people are getting squeezed from every side, and housing is where the city can make the most difference. I’ll advocate for zoning that allows smaller, more affordable starter homes. I want City Hall to go above and beyond connecting residents with the help that already exists here, like Fahe’s down payment grants for first-generation buyers and VA home loans for veterans. For renters, I’ll advocate for Berea to adopt Kentucky’s landlord-tenant act. It gives renters enforceable rights to safe, well-kept homes and holds tenants responsible for caring for the property. Clear rules protect everyone.
The second issue is how we make decisions, because how we decide matters as much as what we decide. Following the Open Meetings Act to the letter isn’t the same as transparency. I’d advocate for televising and archiving every city meeting, including work sessions and committees, and posting proposed ordinances and their sponsors with each agenda. I’d also like to see regular town halls in the Russel Acton Folk Center, not just when there’s a controversy, so residents can shape budgets, planning, and development before decisions are made. None of this is a pipe dream. It just has to be a priority.
2. Where do you want to see the City of Berea in 5 years, and how can that be attained?
In five years, I want a Berea where working families, longtime residents, and young people can afford to stay and enjoy a high quality of life. That means a downtown that’s alive at night as well as during the day, with music, local businesses, and reasons to gather, and a community center for recreation, wellness, and connection that serves Bereans of all ages. And I want growth, from new housing to the regional business park, done responsibly: fit to our comprehensive plan, studied for traffic, housing, and utility impacts, and fair to everyone, with no special deals.
We get there by treating our creative economy as real economic development, by bringing far more grant dollars into Berea with help from partners like Grant Ready Kentucky and the state’s grant-matching program, and by bringing more people into civic life, including folks who’ve never thought of themselves as leaders. Most of all, we get there by handling disagreement fairly and in the open. When people trust the process, they bring new ideas, and we spend less time debating decisions and more time getting them done. I’ve spent 13 years building spaces where strangers become neighbors. A city can do that too.
3. Flock cameras are a hot topic at the moment. What specific concerns, if any, do you have regarding their use and how would you address those concerns if elected?
We went a long time without these cameras, and I don’t want Berea accepting more surveillance without a real public conversation about whether we need it. I don’t doubt our officers mean well, and the cameras have helped in some cases. But the city pays about $30,000 a year for ten cameras that read the plate of every car that passes, not just suspects. That raises real questions about who can access the data, how long it’s kept, and whether it’s shared with outside agencies, including for federal immigration enforcement.
Before any renewal, I’d advocate for a public review. What has the system actually produced? What would we lose without it? Could that money do more for safety elsewhere? If the case isn’t strong, we should be willing to end the contract, as several Kentucky cities have done after hearing from residents. Safety and trust have to go together.
4. Data centers are also in the news. How do you feel about data centers? If someone wanted to build one in Berea, would you be for it or would you oppose it?
I oppose hyperscale data centers in Berea, and I’m glad to see council considering a data center moratorium. Hyperscale facilities use enormous amounts of water and electricity and can push utility costs onto everyday ratepayers. Berea runs its own utilities, so that risk lands directly on us. They also change land use in ways that are hard to undo and strain the natural resources that wildlife, livestock, and local farms depend on. I’m not against growth. I’m against growth that costs Berea more than it gives back. The moratorium gives us time to do the research and set clear rules, so any project proposed here, data center or otherwise, has to prove it’s a real benefit to Berea.
For any data center, or any large development, I’d want the same basics before it gets permits, rezoning, or incentives: an independent review of water, energy, and traffic impacts, a binding agreement that the developer covers its own infrastructure costs, and a genuinely public process. Any growth should strengthen Berea, not put our community at risk.
5. Berea currently has a surplus of funds. How do you propose the city use those funds?
First, keep a healthy reserve. Beyond that, a surplus is a rare chance to think creatively, because it’s one-time money that can start something lasting. One idea: use part of it to launch a Berea housing fund, the way Lexington used its surplus to start an affordable housing trust fund that has helped build and renovate hundreds of homes. Working with partners like Fahe and Habitat, a fund like that could make low-interest loans that get paid back and reinvested, so the same dollars keep building and renovating homes in Berea year after year. I’d also set aside part of it toward a community center, so that when grant opportunities arise, Berea has its local match ready. And before we spend it, residents should get a say in public sessions. It’s their money.
Barry Poynter
1. What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Berea at present, and what plans do you have to address them?
As Berea continues to grow, with both new residents and new businesses and industries, I think one challenge that we will face is the ability to manage critical infrastructures—water, sewer, power, streets, etc.—to handle the increased demand. And we also need to ensure that amenities and recreation facilities are well managed to accommodate more demand and usage. Overall, we must balance growth with capacity and keep pace accordingly.
2. Where do you want to see the City of Berea in 5 years, and how can that be attained?
In five years, I would like to see the City of Berea continuing to thrive and grow, with more small business partners along with more industrial partners. I’d like to see the College and City working together more, perhaps including ways that students can contribute as well as benefit from partnering more. And I’d like to see the Triple Crown Regional Business Park thriving and providing high-quality jobs for Berea and the region.
3. Flock cameras are a hot topic at the moment. What specific concerns, if any, do you have regarding their use and how would you address those concerns if elected?
If you have no concerns, how would you address concerns community members have expressed? My primary concern around Flock Cameras has to do with overall data management. Who has access to data, where is data stored, how is data accessed, how is data managed, etc.? This Flock Camera data, just like any other sensitive data, must be protected, safeguarded, and properly managed.
We have a small number of Flock Cameras in Berea, and I do believe that the City is doing a good job managing data access locally. That said, this data is stored in the cloud, and other entities and individuals may have access to or mismanage data.
4. Data centers are also in the news. How do you feel about data centers? If someone wanted to build one in Berea, would you be for it or would you oppose it?
Data centers are indeed a hot topic right now and have developed a reputation for consuming massive amounts of energy and other resources. I would not want to see a data center constructed in Berea.
5. Berea currently has a surplus of funds. How do you propose the city use those funds?
Having healthy reserve funds at an appropriate level is prudent, and always a good idea. The City of Berea should continually strive to maintain a strong financial position and maintain a strong balance sheet with an appropriate level of reserves. There is nothing wrong with having surplus, or contingency reserve funds.
By maintaining an appropriate level of reserves, the City can better manage an economic downturn, can be nimbler and perhaps better leverage investment opportunities, including potential federal or state funding opportunities. Reserves can also help make possible carefully planned and well-developed strategic investments in the community.
Teresa Wren
1. What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Berea at present, and what plans do you have to address them?
The biggest issues in my opinion are housing expenses and how we can look into more affordable housing options.
2. Where do you want to see the City of Berea in 5 years, and how can that be attained?
I see Berea growing but need community togetherness. I believe a community Center would help with that. We also need more groceries options also.
3. Flock cameras are a hot topic at the moment. What specific concerns, if any, do you have regarding their use and how would you address those concerns if elected? If you have no concerns, how would you address concerns community members have expressed?
I would need to do more research to answer these questions, but they are good for our safety but definitely need some regulations in place.
4. Data centers are also in the news. How do you feel about data centers? If someone wanted to build one in Berea, would you be for it or would you oppose it?
I’m against Data Centers, I would definitely be against one being built in Berea. They aren’t good for the environment.
5. Berea currently has a surplus of funds. How do you propose the city use those funds?
We need to look into our future, our children, we need a Community Center so maybe some activities for our Children could be a reality. But many more people could use it for many other activities.
Dan Sipple
1. What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Berea at present, and what plans do you have to address them?
A). Issues - Infrastructure, flooding roads and road repairs.
B). My plans - NO new projects until repairs are completed.
2. Where do you want to see the City of Berea in 5 years, and how can that be attained?
A). What I want to see - I would like to see Berea be a small town gem in KY.
B. ) It can be attained with community events, business growth and job security.
3. Flock cameras are a hot topic at the moment. What specific concerns, if any, do you have regarding their use and how would you address those concerns if elected? If you have no concerns, how would you address concerns community members have expressed?
A). My concern is I think we have too many and the access to these is not regulated well.
B). I would suggest getting restrictions and regulations under control immediately by making it that you can only get the information from these with a court order or taking them down until we have them regulated.
4. Data centers are also in the news. How do you feel about data centers? If someone wanted to build one in Berea, would you be for it or would you oppose it?
A.) I am against data centers.
5. Berea currently has a surplus of funds. How do you propose the city use those funds?
A). With the surplus I think we need to have a community center and get infrastructure up to date.
B). I propose ensuring transparency and accountability in how the surplus is managed.
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