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City Council

Ben is a lifelong resident of Edgewood. He earned an architecture degree from the University of Kentucky. He lives in Edgewood with his wife, Carrie, and their 4 children.

Ben Barlage

Ben Barlage serves as a city council member in Edgewood.

Candidates for Edgewood City Council answer questions

Led master planning for the addition to President’s Park and created the designs for the White House Event Center.

- Led master planning for the addition to President’s Park and created the designs for the White House Event Center.

Public Services

As of June 6, 2025, Ben Barlage did not have a website or any information online.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports new infrastructure projects, including redesigning Charter Oak Road and replacing the Freedom Park walking trail.

- Supports new infrastructure projects, including redesigning Charter Oak Road and replacing the Freedom Park walking trail.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Public Safety

Education

Supports independent auditing of the city's budget.

- Supports independent auditing of the city's budget.

Economy

LinkedIn

As of September 10, 2024, Bridget Spears did not have a website or any information online.

As of June 6, 2025, Bridget Spears did not have a website or any information online.

Bridget Spears

Darla has a bachelor's degree in microbiology, chemistry, and education from Florida Atlantic University.

Darla previously worked as a senior scientist for Procter & Gamble, a consumer goods company. 

Darla Bonar Kettenacker currently serves as a city council member in Edgewood. She was first elected in 2020 and is currently serving her second term.

As of June 6, 2025, Darla Bonar Kettenacker did not have a website or any information online.

Supports building more lighting along Edgewood's primary streets for sidewalk users.

- Supports building more lighting along Edgewood's primary streets for sidewalk users.

Advocates for having regular public forums and community involvement in council meetings to gain input on public safety issues and fiscal concerns.

- Advocates for having regular public forums and community involvement in council meetings to gain input on public safety issues and fiscal concerns.

Advocates for greater transparency of the city's financial expenditures.

- Advocates for greater transparency of the city's financial expenditures.

Darla Bonar Kettenacker

Jeff lives in Edgewood, Kentucky with his wife and 2 kids. He attended Covington Catholic High School and Northern Kentucky University.

Jeff currently is vice president and part owner of Swan Floral and Gift Shop.

Jeff Schreiver currently serves on the city council of Edgewood. He was first elected in 1999.

As of June 6, 2025, Jeff Schreiver did not have a website or any information online.

Supports responsible zoning in order to keep Edgewood a residential community

- Supports responsible zoning in order to keep Edgewood a residential community

Jeff Schreiver

Joe is originally from Covington. He lives in Edgewood with his wife, Linda. Joe volunteers with the Edgewood Fire Department. 

Joe runs a business that manufactures fire trucks. 

Joe Messmer currently serves as a city council member in Edgewood.

As of June 6, 2025, Joe Messmer’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Joe Messmer

Matt is from Edgewood, Kentucky. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Xavier University.

Matt currently works as a director of portfolio management at Concentric Wealth Management, LLC. He previously worked as a portfolio manager at HORAN Wealth.

Matt Tarka ran for Edgewood city council in 2022 but did not win the election.

Plans to "improve and expand parks and recreation," including the 4th of July Parade.

- Plans to "improve and expand parks and recreation," including the 4th of July Parade.

As of June 6, 2025, Matt Tarka did not have a website or any information online.

Supports redirecting city spending to regular maintenance and operations, including shelter lightbulbs and crosswalks.

Supports improving traffic infrastructure to eliminate dangerous accidents.

- Supports redirecting city spending to regular maintenance and operations, including shelter lightbulbs and crosswalks.
- Supports improving traffic infrastructure to eliminate dangerous accidents.

Is a "strong supporter of our police and fire."

- Is a "strong supporter of our police and fire."

Matt Tarka

Rob received bachelor‘s degrees in history and organizational studies from Northern Kentucky University. He lives in Edgewood with his wife, Cara, and their children.

Rob Thelen serves as a city council member in Edgewood.

As of June 6, 2025, Rob Thelen did not have a website or any information online.

Advocated to re-develop Village Square into a surgery center.

- Advocated to re-develop Village Square into a surgery center.

Wants to "remain dedicated to improving, maintaining and repairing [roads] each and every year."

Supports new infrastructure projects, including upgrading Dudley Road, re-designing Charter Oak Road, and improving Freedom Park.

- Wants to "remain dedicated to improving, maintaining and repairing [roads] each and every year."
- Supports new infrastructure projects, including upgrading Dudley Road, re-designing Charter Oak Road, and improving Freedom Park.

Wants to improve police, fire, and EMT recruitment and services.

- Wants to improve police, fire, and EMT recruitment and services.

Wants to retain city staff by making sure they have good working conditions, competitive pay, and sufficient training.

- Wants to retain city staff by making sure they have good working conditions, competitive pay, and sufficient training.

Rob Thelen

Scott received a Doctor of Pharmacy from Butler University. He lives in Edgewood with his wife and their 3 children.

Scott works as a pharmacy advisor. He has previously worked in pharmacy operations. Scott served as a captain in the United States Army Reserve for 8 years.

Scott Spille serves as a city councilor for Edgewood. He was elected in 2022 and is currently serving his first term.

Supports creating volunteer public committees, such as committees for finance, parks, and public safety, so residents can have input.

Wants to conduct a city survey so residents are heard.

- Supports creating volunteer public committees, such as committees for finance, parks, and public safety, so residents can have input.
- Wants to conduct a city survey so residents are heard.

Supports working with neighboring cities to "refine" Edgewood's borders to allow more development.

- Supports working with neighboring cities to "refine" Edgewood's borders to allow more development.

Supports a "long-needed transportation solution for Charter Oak and its intersection with Dudley."

- Supports a "long-needed transportation solution for Charter Oak and its intersection with Dudley."

Wants to evaluate lighting and crossings at intersections to avoid pedestrian and cyclist accidents.

- Wants to evaluate lighting and crossings at intersections to avoid pedestrian and cyclist accidents.

As of June 6, 2025, Scott Spille did not have a website or any information online.

Scott Spille

Jamie Ruehl: Federal parenting causes unintended consequences

Jamie is from Erlanger. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing from Xavier University and a master's degree in business administration from Northern Kentucky University. He lives in Edgewood with his wife and 3 children. Jamie volunteers in the community as an assistant cross-country coach at Saint Cecilia School and a substitute teacher at the Diocese of Covington.

Jamie is a staff claims adjuster for Great American Insurance Group. He previously worked as a police officer in the City of Edgewood and as a unit manager at Citi. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army for 5 years.

W. Jamie Ruehl’s campaign for Edgewood City Council is his first run for public office.

As of June 6, 2025, W. Jamie Ruehl did not have a website or any information online.

W. Jamie Ruehl

- City council members make up the legislative body of the city's government and are responsible for the public's health, safety, and welfare. Its legislative duties include enacting ordinances, levying taxes, and adopting a budget. 
- The city council has the authority to investigate all activities of the city government and its employees. 
- City councils in Kentucky typically have between 6 and 12 council members. They serve two-year terms except in Louisville and Lexington where some members serve four-year terms. 
- Council members can be elected to represent a single district or the city at-large. Elections take place in even-numbered years. 