Meet your candidates running for City Council. All bios are written by your candidates, interviews with David Millsap provided below. Click on video to watch full interview.
City Council Candidates for Ward 1
Jeremy Goforth
Jeremy Goforth is a dedicated business leader and community advocate with over two decades of diverse experience across the banking, logistics, real estate, and construction industries. A native of Lebanon, MO, Jeremy returned to his hometown after college to build a career and raise his family.
His professional background includes 12 years in banking, 17 years in home building and remodeling, and 8 years as the owner of a successful trucking company with a team of 30 employees. Deeply committed to the growth of Lebanon, Jeremy has served on numerous boards, including the Lebanon Family YMCA, Mercy Health Foundation, Mercy Hospital – Lebanon, and the City of Lebanon Public Works. He has also served as a board member for First State Community Bank since 2015. Jeremy’s goal is to foster a thriving community where current and future generations can successfully build their lives.
Watch Full Interview on YouTube Below:
Jaret Scharnhorst
Jaret Scharnhorst is a Lebanon native and graduated from LHS and Missouri State University. He is pursuing a Juris Doctorate online through the University of Dayton and will graduate this May. He has worked in the Missouri General Assembly since 2019 and is the Chief of Staff to State Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman.
Jaret has been married to his highschool sweetheart, Leeanne, for five years and they have three boys: Daniel, Jason, and Henry. He is an active member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and Rotary.
Watch Full Interview on YouTube Below:
Jeff Stokes
Jeff Stokes is a longtime Lebanon resident, U.S. Army veteran, and community leader with a strong record of public service. Raised on a dairy farm near Hartville, Missouri, he learned the value of hard work and responsibility at an early age.
Jeff served in the United States Army, including two deployments to Iraq as well as multiple disaster response and civil emergency missions. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and an MBA from Missouri State University.
Jeff has worked for more than 20 years at The Durham Company, a longtime staple business in the Lebanon community, where he currently serves as Special Projects Manager leading major infrastructure and facility development projects.
In the community, Jeff served 14 years on the Lebanon Zoning and Planning Commission, including six years as chairperson. He also served as an EMT and Assistant Fire Chief with Lebanon Rural Fire and has held leadership roles with the L-Life Food Pantry and the Lebanon Downtown Optimist Club. Jeff currently serves on the boards of the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce and the Lebanon Cemetery Association.
Jeff and his wife, Crystal, raised their two sons, Quinten and Austin, in Lebanon.
Service has been a constant theme throughout Jeff’s life, and he believes local government should reflect that same commitment to the community.
Jeff says he is running for City Council with a focus on transparency, fiscal responsibility, strong public safety, and thoughtful decision-making that serves the long-term interests of the community.
Watch Full Interview on YouTube Below:
City Council Candidates for Ward 2
Sheila Mitchell
Sheila Mitchell
Personal Life
Married to Philip Mitchell for 42 years
Mother of 4. Chelsea who is a professor at the University of Missouri Law School
Chase who is Graduating from medical school in May
Christian who is a nursing student
Grayson who is in the 4th grade at the Cross Christian School
Lived in Lebanon for 26 years
Professional Life
Licensed cosmologist for 42 years.
Owned 2 small business.
Have served on the Lebanon Housing Authority Board and the Lebanon Park Board
Missions Director 2004-2014 organizing and leading groups to work and serve in other countries and states. Lebanon First Assembly
Hobbies
Cooking
Travel
Music
Family
Watch Full Interview on YouTube Below:
Joe Berkich
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.
Watch Full Interview on YouTube Below:
Stay tuned to Tuesday March 31, School Board Candidates Interviews will be released at 6:00pm.
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