About ERIC

I’m Eric Bunzow!

I'm proud to call Elsmere, Kentucky, my home. I'm a U.S. Navy veteran, a Realtor®, and a former Technology Supervisor for the Kenton County Clerk's Elections Office. Throughout my career, I've worked in public service, technology, real estate, and customer service. Those experiences have taught me the importance of honesty, accountability, communication, and treating everyone with respect.

My time working in the election office gave me a greater appreciation for local government and the importance of making sure every resident has a voice, regardless of political affiliation or background. I believe government should work for the people, not the other way around.

I'm running for Mayor of Elsmere

because I believe our city needs a fresh perspective, greater transparency, responsible spending, and leadership that puts residents first. I'm not a career politician, and I don't believe in doing things a certain way simply because that's how they've always been done.  I will never call myself a politician, I am a peopletician.

What I plan to accomplish as mayor:

1. Bring Real Transparency to City Hall

2. Improve Communication and Make City Hall More Accessible

3. Demand Financial Accountability

4. Improve Public Safety and Neighborhood Streets

5. Protect Our Neighborhoods and Encourage Responsible Development

6. Strengthen Community Involvement

7. Bring Accountability and Common Sense Back to Government

1. Bring Real Transparency to City Hall

I want every resident to know what's happening in their local government. Residents shouldn't have to dig for information about their own government. I want meeting notices, agendas, important decisions, financial information, and city updates to be easily accessible to everyone. I believe residents have a right to know how decisions are made and how their tax dollars are being spent.

2. Improve Communication and Make City Hall More Accessible

One of my biggest priorities is improving communication between City Hall and the people of Elsmere. Government shouldn't operate behind closed doors, and residents shouldn't have to attend a meeting in person just to find out what's happening in their city.

I want to live stream all City Council meetings, caucus meetings, and other public city meetings on Facebook and YouTube, allowing residents to watch from their homes, workplaces, or wherever they may be. These recordings should also remain available online so residents can watch them at their convenience.

I also want to:

  • Post meeting notices, agendas, and important announcements on the city's social media pages.

  • Provide regular updates about city projects, roadwork, community events, and decisions affecting residents.

  • Keep public communication open and allow residents to ask questions, share concerns, and respectfully disagree with city leadership.

  • Make city information easier to find and understand.

  • Personally respond to emails, text messages, and questions from residents.

Communication should be a two-way street. I don't just want residents to hear from City Hall; I want City Hall to hear from residents.

3. Demand Financial Accountability

Taxpayer dollars should be treated with the same care and responsibility as our own household budgets. I want to take a closer look at city spending, unnecessary expenses, major projects, and how decisions are made. Residents deserve to know where their money is going, why it's being spent, and what they're getting in return. I will ask tough questions and work to ensure spending decisions are justified and transparent.

4. Improve Public Safety and Neighborhood Streets

I want to work with our police department, first responders, and residents to identify safety concerns throughout Elsmere. This includes addressing speeding in residential neighborhoods, exploring traffic-calming measures such as speed bumps and speed cushions where appropriate, improving pedestrian safety, and making sure our streets are safe for families, children, and seniors.

5. Protect Our Neighborhoods and Encourage Responsible Development

Elsmere is a community of neighborhoods, and I want to protect what makes them special. New developments and major projects should be carefully reviewed with consideration for their impact on surrounding residents, traffic, infrastructure, and city services. I also want to encourage responsible growth while keeping housing affordability in mind.

6. Strengthen Community Involvement

I want to build on the community events that bring Elsmere together, including movies in the park, Halloween activities, Christmas celebrations, and other family-friendly events. I also want to encourage more residents to participate in local government and have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their neighborhoods.

7. Bring Accountability and Common Sense Back to Government

I believe elected officials should be willing to explain their decisions, accept criticism, and admit when something needs to change. I want a City Hall where questions are welcomed, residents are respected, and decisions are made in the best interests of the community rather than personal relationships or political interests.

My Commitment to Elsmere

I'm not promising that every problem can be fixed overnight, and I'm not going to make promises I can't keep. What I can promise is that I will listen, ask questions, be honest with residents, and work hard to make Elsmere a better place to live.

I believe the mayor's job is to represent every resident of Elsmere, regardless of political affiliation, background, or whether they voted for me.

I want to bring a new level of communication, accountability, and openness to City Hall. I want residents to feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and challenging decisions without feeling ignored.

It's time for fresh leadership. It's time for transparency. It's time for accountability. It's time for change. 

Most importantly, it's time to put the people of Elsmere first.