Provided Bio My name is Joe Berkich. I am currently running for City Councilman of Ward 2. I am a Lebanon native, and a Lebanon High School graduate, class of 1980. My wife Linda and I have been married for 41 years. We have two daughters; Krystal and her husband Chad, Karman and her husband Oakley. We also have four grandchildren Everly, Quinn, Roman, and Rory.
I started my career working for the City of Lebanon in April of 1982. I worked 42 years for the City of Lebanon, and I retired in May of 2024 as the Director of Code Administration. I started with the city at the entry level position, and over time worked my way up to director level position in a multitude of different departments. My career took me down many paths, I worked in or with every department in the city. I have knowledge of how the City of Lebanon operates on every level.
I am currently a member of the Zoning and Planning Commission, working to help improve the development of our community.
Tonight, Lebanon Now begins releasing our City Council candidate conversations for both Ward 1 and Ward 2.
In Ward 1, the candidates are Jeremy Goforth, Jeff Stokes, and Jaret Scharnhorst, all seeking the seat formerly held by Gib Adkins.
In Ward 2, Joe Berkich is running against incumbent Sheila Mitchel.
To ensure fairness and consistency, every candidate was asked the exact same six questions:
1. Tell me why you’re running for city council?
2. What are the top three challenges that lie ahead for the City of Lebanon, and specifically, how would you address those challenges?
3. In your specific ward, are there issues that need to be addressed?
4. What are your thoughts on the city purchasing the former Lebanon golf course and using taxpayer funds for improvements at the ice cream factory?
5. What needs to be done to address blighted properties, rundown areas, and the growing issue of homeless encampments and displaced individuals soliciting around the city?
6. Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you and your plans if elected?
Each candidate was given as much time as they wanted to fully answer each question.
In the interest of fairness, we did not challenge, follow up on, or expand on any candidate’s answers, ensuring there could be no appearance that one candidate was questioned more heavily than another.
Outside of necessary camera angle changes, these conversations were not edited in any way that would add to, remove from, or alter the candidates’ responses. We wanted each person to have the opportunity to speak directly to voters in their own words.
We encourage everyone to watch every conversation relevant to their ballot before making their decision.
Because Facebook often limits the reach of political content, your shares, comments, and engagement help make sure this important local election information reaches more voters throughout Lebanon.
I started my career working for the City of Lebanon in April of 1982. I worked 42 years for the City of Lebanon, and I retired in May of 2024 as the Director of Code Administration. I started with the city at the entry level position, and over time worked my way up to director level position in a multitude of different departments. My career took me down many paths, I worked in or with every department in the city. I have knowledge of how the City of Lebanon operates on every level.
I am currently a member of the Zoning and Planning Commission, working to help improve the development of our community.
Tonight, Lebanon Now begins releasing our City Council candidate conversations for both Ward 1 and Ward 2.
In Ward 1, the candidates are Jeremy Goforth, Jeff Stokes, and Jaret Scharnhorst, all seeking the seat formerly held by Gib Adkins.
In Ward 2, Joe Berkich is running against incumbent Sheila Mitchel.
To ensure fairness and consistency, every candidate was asked the exact same six questions:
1. Tell me why you’re running for city council?
2. What are the top three challenges that lie ahead for the City of Lebanon, and specifically, how would you address those challenges?
3. In your specific ward, are there issues that need to be addressed?
4. What are your thoughts on the city purchasing the former Lebanon golf course and using taxpayer funds for improvements at the ice cream factory?
5. What needs to be done to address blighted properties, rundown areas, and the growing issue of homeless encampments and displaced individuals soliciting around the city?
6. Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you and your plans if elected?
Each candidate was given as much time as they wanted to fully answer each question.
In the interest of fairness, we did not challenge, follow up on, or expand on any candidate’s answers, ensuring there could be no appearance that one candidate was questioned more heavily than another.
Outside of necessary camera angle changes, these conversations were not edited in any way that would add to, remove from, or alter the candidates’ responses. We wanted each person to have the opportunity to speak directly to voters in their own words.
We encourage everyone to watch every conversation relevant to their ballot before making their decision.
Because Facebook often limits the reach of political content, your shares, comments, and engagement help make sure this important local election information reaches more voters throughout Lebanon.