There are six Cold Spring City Council incumbents facing four challengers in the Nov. 8 General Election.
The race has 10 candidates running for the council, which has six elected slots.
Paul Kloeker, Cindy Moore, Chris Ampfer, Lisa Schmidt Cavanaugh, Kenny Sears, and Adam Sandfoss seek reelection. Their competitors are Laura Vroegindewey, Mark Majors, Brian King, and David Guidugli.
Jessica Neal was running for election but withdrew from the race.
Paul Kloeker chose not to comment for this story, and Adam Sandfoss did not respond for comment.
Cindy Moore
Moore has served on the Cold Spring City Council for four years. She told LINK nky that the experience has inspired her to continue serving the city.
“Being a council member is a continuing learning process,” Moore said. “I take every action introduced to the council very seriously and complete diligent research before making my vote. I will resume to keep the citizens of Cold Spring first.”
Some of Moore’s most significant accomplishments she said she has had since being elected are continuing to keep taxes low and making informed decisions as a council member.
“I’m not just another ‘rubber stamp’ vote,” Moore said. “Transparency in city government will continue to be one of my first priorities.”
Moore also noted the city’s achievements in building a new community center and police station.
“Yes, I could take credit for being a part of that accomplishment; however, if it wasn’t for the past mayors, council members, and administrators of the city over the last 20 years saving for the future, this would not have been possible,” Moore said.
Should she be reelected, Moore said her top priority would be “being fiscally responsible, transparent in city government, integrity, compassion, and confidence in every aspect of a council member.”
Moore said she is a better candidate than her opponents because of her ability to research agenda items and be prepared for each council meeting.
“I’m courageous enough to ask questions at meetings that may be a concern for citizens,” Moore said. “My honesty to the public and citizens of Cold Spring.”
She also mentioned that her 27 years in finance, which required following strict federal and state guidelines, gives her an advantage of referring to Kentucky Revised Statutes laws and recommendations.
Moore said she would continue to make every council meeting and voice her opinion on canceling upcoming meetings to the best of her ability.
“As a public servant, I will put the citizens of Cold Spring first,” Moore said. “It’s about a listening ear and compassion to do the right thing for all. Trust me; it’s not about the money. Giving back to the citizens of Cold Spring is a must. I personally will not tolerate wasteful spending.”
Laura Vroegindewey
Vroegindewey has lived in Cold Spring for 18 years and chose the city to raise her daughter. She currently works as a home care physical therapist. She said she decided to run for city council because she wants to make sure it is where people want to live and do business.
“I now have the time to take an active role to ensure our community is a place where people want to live or do business, knowing that each citizen’s voice has a right to be heard,” Vroegindewey said.
Vroegindewey said her work as a local home care physical therapist makes her a qualified candidate.
“I engage in daily communication, advocacy, and coordination of services with varied health partners while focusing on empowering clients and their families to regain functional abilities and independence,” Vroegindewey said. “I plan to utilize these skills and effective collaboration to act as a liaison between the citizens and our city government.”
If elected, Vroegindewey said she would prioritize being available to citizens.
“As a new council member, I would prioritize being available to citizens’ comments and concerns, researching multiple perspectives of various pertinent situations, and advocating for responsiveness to concerns with transparency and clear reasoning,” Vroegindewey said.
Vroegindewey said she is the better candidate for the council because she will take the time to talk to people and know the voices she will represent. Including their concerns and expectations, so she can work to help her fellow residents in any way possible.
“My occupational background enhances my ability to be well-grounded, fiscally aware, and responsive to others’ needs,” Vroegindewey said. “This will enable me to be an active collaborator in council decision-making.”
Chris Ampfer
Ampfer has served four terms — or eight years — on the council.
He said he is running for his fifth term to see the dispute over the Disabled American Veterans, or DAV, property through.
“The city has appealed the judge’s ruling. I support the city’s right to the DAV property,” Ampfer said. “Campbell County School Board should find a different location for a future school. I also want to be on the council to support our current mayor, Angelo.”
Ampfer said one of his most significant accomplishments since joining the council is the creation of Barth Park.
“I was the driving force behind the creation of Barth Park behind Cracker Barrel. I believe the park would not have been created if I wasn’t on the council,” Ampfer said.
Should he be reelected, he said his main priorities would be gaining city control of the DAV property, smart growth of the city, fiscal responsibility, maintaining low taxes, and expanding and maintaining sidewalk access.
Ampfer said he makes a better candidate than his opponents because he is logical, not afraid to make tough decisions, and will put the city’s interest first.
He also said his technical expertise could be beneficial to the council. He is a professional engineer with over 30 years of experience in consulting, the state transportation department, gas utility, and manufacturing.
“My wife and I both have had family in Cold Spring since before the city was founded,” Ampfer said. “Our fathers and the two of us both attended St. Joseph School. I have watched the city change over my last 56 years of life. I know Cold Spring.”
Lisa Schmidt Cavanaugh
Cavanaugh has been a resident of Cold Spring for over 30 years and has served on the council for nine years. She said she is running for reelection to continue being a voice for the residents and keep them informed of city news.
She added that she would also continue raising awareness of local government, being fiscally responsible so that residents’ tax dollars are being spent efficiently and effectively, and continuing to contribute positively to her community.
Cavanaugh said her most significant accomplishments include always putting the city first and considering residents’ input.
“I’ve always put Cold Spring first,” Cavanaugh said. “I gather facts, ask questions, and consider resident input to make the most fair decisions that I can based on what is in the overall best interest of the city as a whole. I have never once voted on personal opinions or ‘small town’ politics.”
Should she be reelected, she said her top priorities involve serving the city as she has the last nine years.
“To continue serving the community and residents as I have the last nine years by being a voice for the residents, by staying connected to the community, and being committed to putting Cold Spring first,” Cavanaugh said.
She told LINK nky that she doesn’t see herself as better than any candidate, but she does see herself as different.
“Although I am classified as a politician, I don’t consider myself a politician,” Cavanaugh said. “I am a citizen who cares about my city and trying to do my part to serve in the best way I can. I feel it is a privilege to be elected by my peers, and I take my position very seriously, and it is certainly not something I take for granted. I work for you.”
Kenny Sears
Sears was appointed to the Cold Spring City Council in December of 2021.
Aside from being appointed to the council, Sears has served on three Northern Kentucky city boards of adjustments. He also has been on the Homeowners Association board for the Granite Spring subdivision for about 10 years and is currently president.
Sears said his most significant accomplishments since being appointed to the council last year include getting to know the diverse community better and how he can play a role in managing responsible growth.
He said if elected to the council in November, he will prioritize reducing taxes.
“My top priority will be reducing tax rates for property owners while increasing responsible business revenue,” Sears said.
Sears said he believes the race has all qualified candidates.
“I’m certain all candidates are good, qualified individuals,” Sears said. “I am reluctant to suggest that I’m better. I plan on remaining in Cold Spring with my focus on the management of the city. I have no desire to advance myself politically outside of Cold Spring.”
Mark Majors
Majors said he started looking into running for city council years ago when cities in Northern Kentucky were receiving state and federal grants for city park upgrades. He is retired and said he has plenty of time to devote to the city.
“These cities are drawing people from our area to go to their park and have their children play,” Majors said. “I wanted our children to be able to play in their own neighborhoods. Many of the parks in the neighborhoods around Cold Spring are old and in need of updating, especially for handicapped children.”
Majors said to his understanding Cold Spring does not apply for state grants, “Maybe a couple of small grants awarded to the city, but only a few hundred dollars. I would like our parks to be enjoyed by people of all ages. This is what got me going to council meetings and trying to get involved.”
He said that is one of the many reasons he is running for council, adding that he wants to make the city a place where people would want to live and raise their children.
Majors said he is qualified to be on the council because of his background as a firefighter/paramedic and serving on the board of trustees for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) unit.
“We worked with city councils, Township Trustees, and the Hamilton County Commissioners,” Majors said. “The past few years, my wife Jan and I have worked helping non-profit organizations raise funds, such as heart walks, cancer fundraising, and childhood diabetes.”
Should Majors be elected, he said he would make pedestrian safety along U.S. 27 a top priority.
“I have talked to some people, and they do not feel that they have enough time crossing at crosswalks and fear that they may get hit,” Majors said.
He said he would like to upgrade the parks to make them useful for all citizens. Where necessary, he would like to implement shade, so kids are not burned in the summer sun.
Majors said he would also like to reinstate the park board eliminated a few years ago.
“I want to make Cold Spring a beautiful place to live, own a business, and have fun,” Majors said.
He said he is a better candidate than his opponents because of his experience working with other cities and county governments.
“I am willing to take the time and meet with citizens,” Majors said. “I want them to be able to voice their concerns to me and know that I will do everything in my power to get a solution. I feel that I am able to identify problems in our community that need to be addressed. I will keep an open mind to new ideas and create ideas of my own. I feel like I can work well with all people and put the city first.”
Brian King
King said he is running for city council because of the multi-million-dollar loan taken out by the current council and mayor with “little to no input from residents” to purchase the DAV property.
“Regardless of how residents felt about the appropriateness of the purchase, I was and am dismayed that residents were not consulted in any meaningful way,” King said. “I believe that resident voices deserve to be heard when it comes to how our tax dollars are spent.”
King currently works for a consulting clinical research organization in the pharmaceutical industry. He has worked for LBR Regulatory and Clinical Consulting Services for 17 years, focusing on quality control of regulatory documents.
“Though I do have a full-time job, my hours are 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., so that will not affect my evenings or my availability to attend every city council meeting that I am able to,” King said.
King said he is a qualified candidate for council because though he has not previously served in an elected capacity, he has attended every council meeting since he started paying attention to the current council’s actions.
“I am a current resident of Cold Spring, and I have no plans to move out of the city for at least the next two decades as my kids continue through the Campbell County Schools system,” King said. “I feel that some of my best qualifications are my attentiveness, my ability to listen to all sides of an issue before making a decision, and my attention to detail that my professional background has instilled in me.”
As for his top priorities, if elected, King said he doesn’t currently have any intention to join the council and immediately make changes or spend tax dollars on personal projects.
“I think the city is running pretty well due to the great work of the city employees, especially the parks and police departments,” King said. “My top priority will be to be more transparent in the handling of the city’s financial matters.”
King said he is a better candidate for council because he has attended more meetings than some current council members.
“For one, I know that I have attended more city council meetings this year than some of the current council members, and if elected, I have promised residents that I will attend every meeting possible throughout my term,” King said. “I have also promised residents that I will solicit their input before voting on matters that are presented to the Council. I have seen some of the current council members solicit input from residents, but most of them do not do that before making decisions that affect residents and spend their tax money.”
David Guidugli
Guidugli said he is running for city council because he believes his 17 years served previously would benefit the city’s future. Guidugli retired from Kroger after working there for 38 years.
He said he is a qualified candidate for council due to his history serving on the council and because he is a lifelong Campbell County resident and 29-year resident of Cold Spring.
If he is elected to council, Guidugli said he would prioritize controlling growth, spending as well as keeping costs and taxes in check.
Guidugli said he makes a better candidate than his opponents because of his past 17 years of experience on the council.
“I worked with the past mayor and council to implement a comprehensive strategic plan resulting in funds to build the new police building and the new community building, street replacement and sidewalk program with no expense to property owners,” Guidugli said.
