10 candidates (listed below in the order they appear on the ballot) will vie for six open spots on the Bromley City Council in November.
- Gail Smith
- Tim Wartman
- Dianne Wartman
- Micheal E. Kendall
- Keith Williams
- Jeffery A. Creekmore
- Andrew Cliff
- Dave Radford
- Patty D. Miller
- Kelly P. Dudley
The city council is the city’s primary legislative body. It institutes local laws, passes a city budget and generally represents the people’s interests in the municipal government. The mayor, whose seat is not up for election in November, can veto laws passed by the council, but the council can vote to override the mayor with a majority vote. Council positions are nonpartisan, and council members serve two-year terms.
All of the city council’s current members are running again: Andrew Clift, Mike Kendall, Dave Radford, Gail Smith, Dianne Wartman and Tim Wartman. Jeffrey Creekmore, Kelly Dudley, Patty Miller and Keith Williams are challengers.
Most of the candidates’ concerns focused around the city’s financial health, especially in the wake of expenses incurred for the improvements to Bromley’s park.
Only four candidates provided head shots to LINK nky: Clift, Smith, Dianne Wartman and Tim Wartman. Miller, Kendall and Radford did not respond to LINK’s inquiries.
“The time to tighten our belt and prepare our town for an economic downturn is now,” Williams said. “Let’s build our reserves while we lower our liabilities.”
Smith shared these worries.
“With recent park improvements and salary increases the city expenses have and will continue to increase significantly,” said Smith. “Our reserves have been nearly depleted and with our small revenue stream, and [with] the state of the economy it will be impossible to build a comfortable reserve again.”
In spite of these worries, the candidates were generally complimentary of the progress in the city.
“They actually have maintenance people now,” Creekmore said. “They’ve totally redone the park, which is awesome. They put street lights up and down Main Street.”
Williams pushed for greater police presence in the area. Currently, the Park Hills Police Department provides services to the city.
“I believe the current contract is structured as a reactive agreement, with few requirements other than to respond to emergency calls for service,” Williams said. “More visibility of police officers would give the citizens peace of mind and keep honest people honest.”
Clift and Tim Wartman said the city should prioritize economic development. Clift had something specific in mind.
“We have what could be a major opportunity on the horizon as SD1 wraps up the Bromley pump station project,” Clift said. “There is a large lot adjacent to the pump station that is not being utilized by the sanitation district. If Bromley were to acquire that land, we could open up our riverfront to the public in ways, such as a boat ramp and/or fishing pier.”
He also wanted to see the city council meetings recorded for transparency’s sake.
Dudley advocated for greater investment in sidewalks and roads as well as expanded recreational and family activities in the city. Dianne Wartman echoed the need for more things to do, expressing a desire for more events and activities “to bring people together.”
Smith pushed for greater city beautification.
“The entrances to our community need to be beautified,” Smith said. “Trees, flowers and other elements should be added to enhance the curb appeal of the city. The two vacant pieces of property should be turned into pocket parks, community gardens or pollinator gardens. The roads need to be resurfaced.”
Overall, the candidates expressed a desire to continue moving the city forward.
“I was just the city to keep going and making the improvements and stuff that they are,” Creekmore said. “It’s nice to see things actually being done.”