Erlanger City Council (13 candidates, vote for 9)

Click on the candidate’s names to learn more about them:

Thomas Cahill

Thomas Cahill is a current member of the council running for a ninth term with the city. In the past, Cahill has volunteered over the last 30 years with the city’s Rescue Squad, Fire/EMS department, Parks and Recreation, and his current role as a city council member. He said he has been provided with a rich understanding of local needs and challenges by being involved in these groups. An area of concern in the city for Cahill is addressing infrastructure concerns from a recent consultant report, that include the Fire/EMS stations, police headquarters, and other city buildings. Other areas of concern according to Cahill are continuing progress on improving parks, roads, and sidewalks, as well as recruitment and retention of city personnel. 

Resident engagement is something Cahill finds important as well. Cahill said that if residents are looking for opportunities to be engaged they can call or email council members or city employees and check out the City of Erlanger website for special events, meetings, informal discussions, and more. To Cahill, the city’s website is one of the best ways to stay involved in the community. An important aspect of the job to Cahill is being transparent with the city’s actions at the open meetings with the public. To him easy to access information and the ability for residents to hear it in a public form is an easy way to keep this transparency. Cahill also said members of the council should be able to speak up when they see questionable actions from individuals or groups. Cahill said one of the best things about the number of people on the council is he feels like there are many eyes watching and voices questioning whether or not there is a potential conflict of interest. 

Cahill is a lifelong resident of Erlanger and is married with three adult children. He attended the University of Evansville and Northern Kentucky University and has a Master of Science in Executive Leadership and Organizational Change. He has been the director of respiratory and sleep medicine for St. Elizabeth Healthcare since 2014.

Michele Fields

Having lived in Erlanger for over 20 years Michele Fields said she is ready to give back to the community as a council member. Fields said her commitment to Erlanger is rooted in her family’s multi-generational presence. Her vision for the future of Erlanger includes exploring various opportunities with the council to determine what projects to pursue. Her top three priorities if elected to the council are road improvements when it comes to potholes and roads deteriorating, supporting law enforcement in areas like the drug epidemic, and economic development to create jobs and reduce the property tax burden on homeowners. 

Fields said what sets her apart from other candidates is her extensive family involvement in the community and her personal experience with the city. Her husband is a 911 dispatcher, her sons work in law enforcement and corrections, and her father-in-law has held various significant roles including city administrator and police chief. With a background in criminal justice and accounting, Fields said she has a well-rounded perspective on managing city resources effectively. In her previous roles, she has learned the importance of prioritizing tasks and working collaboratively to achieve goals, which she finds crucial for local government. 

One passion of Fields is enhancing the safety and inclusivity of public spaces. An idea she said she proposes is fencing in the Erlanger Depot park to create a secure space for children with Autism to safely enjoy trains, which is a cause that is personally close to her due to her granddaughter’s condition. If constituents are interested, Fields maintains an open communication through email at michelefields4erlanger@gmail.com or by phone at (859)-743-0597. She said is committed to listening to concerns and incorporating them into her decision-making process. 

Tyson Hermes 

Tyson Hermes is a current council member who said he is committed to continuing the growth and enhancement of Erlanger. With a decade of involvement in the city’s government, Hermes said he has seen significant transformations, including infrastructure improvements, lower tax rates, and increased business revenue. Motivated by his desire to keep Erlanger competitive and thriving, Hermes said his top priorities include maintaining the low tax rates, upgrading the aging Fire Station #1, and turning the city into a destination with enhanced parks with connections to neighboring areas.  

To Hermes, his previous experience as the Mayor of Erlanger distinguishes him from other candidates. While serving as the mayor he said he gained a deeper understanding of the city’s budget and community needs. Alongside being a current council member he serves as Chairman of the Parks Master Planning Task Force and is co-Chair of the Beautification Task Force which he said showcases his dedication to community development. Hermes also said he is a lifetime learner with a continuous improvement approach and tries to learn from failures and stay open to new ideas.

To involve residents more Hermes said he wants to expand Task Forces that foster involvement from the community and transparency. With previous terms on the city council and experience in business management, he said he is ready to assist those interested in local government. Hermes tries to maintain accessibility through city council meetings and constituents can reach him at Tyson.Hermes@CityofErlanger.com or (859)-206-2029. Hermes also said he is committed to avoiding conflicts of interest with decision-making that benefits the community rather than his interests. In his personal life, he is a devout Catholic and loves spending time with his wife Julie and their three children. He is also a business owner, ski instructor, winemaker, and beekeeper.  

Jennifer Jasper-Lucas

Jennifer Jasper-Lucas, a current city council member running for re-election, hopes to ensure Erlanger remains a well-managed and thriving community with an emphasis on fiscal responsibility and effective management. Jasper-Lucas’ top priorities include maintaining low tax rates by ensuring responsible spending and questioning the city’s budget, supporting the city’s first responders with modern equipment, competitive wages, and addressing issues with the main firehouse, and encouraging the development of diverse housing options to address income-aligned housing shortages in the area. With over 20 years in sales, leadership, and management as an insurance broker, Jasper-Lucas said she has valuable insights into business operations and economic development. Having served two previous terms on the city council, she said she has gained experience with the city’s budget and finances, reinforcing her ability to handle tough questions and decisions.

Jasper-Lucas believes her ability to serve without personal or political agendas sets her apart from other candidates. She said while others see council seats as stepping stones, she uses hers to genuinely listen to and support residents. To avoid any conflicts of interest, Jasper-Lucas said she adheres to existing ethics ordinances and financial disclosure requirements. She also said she remains vigilant about potential conflicts when it comes to city decisions.

One thing Jasper-Lucas emphasized for voters to remember how important local elections are. She reminds voters that local elected officials decide on matters such as how much you pay in property taxes and who picks up your trash. Aspects like honesty, asking hard questions, prioritizing public safety, and sensible spending are what Jasper-Lucas believes constituents should look for in a candidate. Jasper-Lucas also tries to engage residents by prioritizing accessibility and responsiveness. To maintain this she tries to be actively involved in community events, address concerns promptly, and share her contact information openly. 

Vicki Kyle

Vicki Kyle is a current council member who has served in city government for 28 years and as a teacher for 42 years. Between her experience on the council and her years as a teacher, she feels she has honed her skills in mediating and finding mutually agreeable solutions when issues face the council. She believes this fosters compromise and looks for citizens’ best interests when decision-making. With an emphasis on listening to all perspectives, Kyle said she likes to ensure balanced outcomes when making decisions with the council. The three topics most important to Kyle are maintaining city services while keeping taxes low, business development by attracting new businesses and fostering the growth of current ones, and citizen engagement when it comes to addressing and responding to the concerns of Erlanger residents. 

Kyle said she is dedicated to bringing community issues to council meetings and connecting residents with the appropriate resources to address their needs. Part of her vision for the city is to focus on community engagement with citizen concerns. One way Kyle has proposed involving residents more in the city’s matters is by creating a new task force with various community sectors. Kyle also likes to remain connected through email, phone calls, and social media for citizens with concerns. 

Kyle has lived in Erlanger for 52 years and has deep local roots in her community. She earned her education from Notre Dame Academy, Thomas More University, Xavier University, and Northern Kentucky University. As a teacher Kyle taught at Lloyd High School for 3 years and at St. Henry District High School for 30 years.

Gary Meyer

Gary Meyer is a previous city council member running to make a comeback to the council after a two-year break. Meyer served on the council from 2015 to 2016 and 2019 to 2022. He is running again for a seat on the council to prepare him to become more deeply involved with the city before he runs for mayor in 2026. He hopes being in a legislative role before running for an executive role will help him gain the necessary experience and understanding of the city’s governance. During his prior service on the council, he served in a role on the Fire/EMS committee and in revising zoning laws. 

To Meyer, the three important issues are transparency in ways such as developing a searchable format for city transactions, making ethical restrictions when it comes to conflicts of interest with city council members, and cost management on non-capital city expenses. According to Meyer, his data-driven decision-making approach helps set him apart from other candidates on the ballot. He also has a background in financial services and real estate which he said provides him with a diverse perspective on problem-solving and governance. Aiming to foster small business growth, he aims to support regional expansion through zoning modifications on multi-family housing and re-evaluating business types to attract visitors to Erlanger. Meyer said he is also committed to ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent in ways that result in measurable improvements for the city. 

To avoid a conflict of interest Meyer said he would recuse himself from the discussion and vote on those ordinances and municipal orders. He also noted that if constituents need help navigating city departments he will happily find the appropriate contact for those concerns. 

Diana Niceley 

Diana Niceley is finishing her second term on the city’s council and is seeking to be re-elected for a third term. Niceley said she is running for re-election due to her deep connection to Erlanger, where she has lived, raised her family, and worked. Her motivation to serve the residents of Erlanger comes from a commitment to the community she cherishes deeply. The top priorities of Niceley are supporting first responders with competitive pay and maintaining high-quality services for fire and police departments, keeping infrastructure maintenance on roads and sidewalks in good condition, and tax management that continues the lowering of taxes. 

What Niceley thinks sets her apart from others running for a seat on the council is her long-term residency in the city as well as her involvement in local businesses, community events, and schools. With nearly four years on the council, Niceley also said she has gained a solid understanding of city operations and worked closely with various departments. She hopes to bring her vision of attracting new businesses while preserving and enhancing the quality of life for residents to fruition. Ensuring maximum value for the community while spending taxpayer dollars wisely is important to Niceley. She also said she tries to engage with residents of the city often. While prioritizing transparency and high ethical standards, she is committed to being accessible by phone, email, or in person, as well as addressing any conflicts of interest.

Rebecca Reckers

Rebecca Reckers is a current council member who was initially motivated to run in 2018 due to her desire to foster accountability within the council, which she wants to continue to do while enhancing the community. She is also hoping to continue serving the city she has a deep commitment to and affection for. Her three priorities for the future are long-term financial planning when it comes to developing a comprehensive spending plan and tax reduction rate, economic development with hopes to develop and redevelopment to support residential and business needs, and fiscal transparency around services like public safety, infrastructure, and beautification efforts.  Her overall vision for Erlanger includes leveraging significant opportunities for commercial and small business development. As the founder and chairwoman of the Small Business Task Force, she has initiated grant programs and set redevelopment funds into the community. 

With three terms under her belt and an 18-year background in finance and risk management, Reckers said she is equipped with a strong understanding of the needs and expectations of city government. She said the experience she has instilled a focus of transparency and effective problem-solving. She also hopes to engage residents in the council’s decision-making process, while maintaining an openness to any feedback from the community. As an elected official she said she is committed to listening to the concerns of the citizens she represents. To prevent conflicts of interest Reckers said she advocates for a strict adherence to the ethics policy and suggests further enhancements, especially with multiple city officials involved in the local business scene. Reckers said if constituents need her she is accessible by phone, email, and at public events. 

Frank Wichmann

Frank Wichmann is an attorney at Wichmann and Associates who has been a lifelong resident of the city. Having lived in and raised his family and business in Erlanger, Wichmann said he has a profound commitment to its future. With 50 years of experience as an attorney, he said it adds another layer of desire to contribute to local government. His top three priorities if he is elected to the council are taxes, city services and employees, and planning and zoning. He also said he advocates for prudent management when it comes to Erlanger’s continued growth and development while maintaining high-quality services. 

Wichmann said what sets him apart from other candidates is his unparalleled experience in municipal law. With over five decades as an attorney in different cities, he said he possesses a deep understanding of municipal government that is unmatched by other candidates. He also said having an extensive background a municipal government has taught him that local issues require comprehensive planning and budgeting. With his knowledge, he envisions helping Erlanger grow by promoting continued commercial development to enhance the tax base while also ensuring the city services remain fiscally responsible and top-notch.

One way Wichmann wants to incorporate residents in the decision-making process is by supporting open government practices, meaning open meaning and extensive online dissemination of information. By doing this he hopes to provide transparency and allow citizens’ voices to be heard. To prevent any conflict of interest he also said he is committed to adhering to Erlanger’s Ethics Ordiances to help maintain transparency and ethical conduct. He also said he is readily accessible to constituents through his office in Erlanger during business hours by phone, email, or in person. 

Renee Wilson

Renee Wilson is an incumbent council member who is seeking re-election to continue her commitment to Erlanger. She said she is passionate about ensuring that Erlanger remains a vibrant and supportive community for its residents and businesses to thrive in. Wilson identified her three priorities for the city council as public safety across public spaces, schools, and transportation, addressing basic needs like affordable housing and food security, and economic growth by fostering city and business development through the various task forces. Wilson currently participates in the Parks Master Planning Task Force and the Beautification Task Force.

Having over 40 years in service, Wilson has backgrounds in multiple areas being a retired legal secretary, volunteering extensively in education and community services, and also advocating for the community at the local and state levels. With her legal experience and active participation in city governance, Wilson said she can provide a robust understanding of city operations and regulations. Wilson’s vision for the future of Erlanger is a welcoming environment while being fiscally responsible with the budget. Having this approach aims to give quality services, ensure a high standard of living, and support local initiatives. 

For those interested in meeting with Wilson she encourages residents to attend city council and task force meetings. She also encourages hosting focus groups and town halls to ensure residents are heard. Wilson also holds herself to a high standard to prevent conflicts of interest by being transparent, setting clear expectations, and promoting open communication. Having a long history of service and active participation in the community is according to Wilson what positions her to be a committed advocate for Erlanger and its continued growth.