'I love my job!' Fraley bids for third term in office

Saying he was "among friends", Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley used his State of City address on Monday night to announce his bid for re-election. Fraley has been the incumbent since 2018, and is now serving the final year of his second term in office.

"I plan to run for another term in office as your mayor," Fraley told the audience gathered at the Berea Gallery and Event Center on Monday night. Fraley's address was sponsored and hosted by the Berea Chamber of Commerce. "I enjoy it. I love it. It's a labor of love," Fraley said.

Fraley's announcement came at the end of his address, which lasted just under 52 minutes. In it, Fraley said, "the City is strong," and reviewed the year's achievements and challenges in each of the City's 12 departments, before adding that throughout his incumbency, he has intentionally developed relationships with local, state, and federal legislators on behalf of Berea, and has gotten to know the powerful in agencies that benefit our city, such as the Kentucky Industrial Authority and the Department of Local Government.

"There's going to be an opportunity to form new relationships," Fraley said, noting the election a year from now will bring both a new US Senator and Congressperson. "I pledge to maintain those relationships for Berea, and for the Commonwealth," Fraley said.

Not mentioned, but also fact, is that Fraley serves on the Bluegrass Area Development District, one of 15 ADDs statewide. Created by executive order in 1967, the Council of Area Development Districts are essentially state-endorsed lobbying groups meant to help local leaders persuade Frankfort to spend the state's purse in their home region.

In addition, Fraley serves as first vice president on the board of the Kentucky League of Cities, another special interest group that, among its many roles, advocates on behalf of municipal leaders and their communities across the Commonwealth.

The Mayor in his address devoted time to reminding his audience that he and City Councilmembers work well together and are respectful of one another. "Our collaboration is better than it's ever been," he said.

"The state of the City is strong," Fraley wrapped up by declaring. "Our strength is in each other, and our future is bright," he said, thanking the many groups, commissions, boards, business people, and educators for all that they contribute to the City. He also called out the City's youth and implored leaders to do what's necessary to help mold the City's future leaders.

Partnerships with other jurisdictions were also on the Mayor's list of hits, including the Central Kentucky Regional Business Park, the interlocal project between Berea, Madison County Fiscal Court, Scott County Fiscal Court, and the Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government, that begins with an industrial park at the end of Ferristown Industrial Drive.

Fraley also gave a nod to the interlocal agreement between Richmond, Madison County Fiscal Court, and EKU for operating the Madison County airport.

Fraley also announced a novel internship program between Berea College and the City. Beginning in January 2026, students from the College will be able to work alongside City officials and department heads for credit.

Only a few departments had news not previously reported by The Edge in City Council briefs. Fraley announced that Donna Angel, who heads business development for the City, was awarded the Bluegrass ADD Workplace Innovation Champion of the Year award for having helped to bring new businesses, and new jobs, to town over the past year.

Fraley also announced that Finance Director Susan Helton and her department were also recently decorated with the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Award for fiscal year 2025, based upon the rigor and transparency of the budgeting process in the City.

Berea police recently received a $159,000 grant from the state attorney general's office to purchase tactical vests and shields, according to Fraley.