Mr. Stephen V. Yarnell, Esq., will run for the District 1 Council Seat in the next municipal election.
If his name sounds familiar to you, it may be because Steve Yarnell has played a role in protecting the city behind the scenes for many years. He has worked alongside local leaders and citizens to keep the city stable in times of crisis. Whenever his expertise is called upon, Steve responds by first understanding the issues, and then helping others to reach fair solutions.
Yarnell has worked as labor and employment lawyer for over 30 years and says his work experience includes the necessary negotiating and listening skills needed to serve on City Council. He also states that City Council is going to need people with experience with city government and who already understand the deeper facets of issues at hand.
A resident of the 18th ward, Steve is currently meeting with District 1 neighbors and businesses. He regularly keeps up with city government related news and national politics.
From his experience, Steve says he knows that conflicts will arise, but opportunities to create mutually beneficial solutions while protecting the long-term sustainability of the city are possible. Mr. Yarnell has come to believe that while some disputes have to be litigated aggressively, others are avoided or minimized through strategic advance planning and counsel. He’s helped many people in the community improve personal outcomes with their jobs, public service, and other circumstances, and is pleased to see the diversity and inclusion efforts the city has made.
A Reading High School Graduate, Steve completed his undergraduate work at Earlham College, a Quaker institution with tenets based in simplicity, peace, integrity, equality and stewardship. During his time there, he was also an exchange student who studied in Mexico (and still converses in a bit of Spanish). From there, he went on to the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and has been practicing law ever since.
Yarnell currently serves as a Children’s Home of Reading board member and will be named a Trustee of the Berks History Center this summer.
Steve grew up in Reading and continues to live in the family home where he was raised. Growing up in a political family, Steve’s father Victor was once the mayor of Reading, served a term in the state House of Representatives and was the first executive director of the Schuylkill River Greenway Association (now the Schuylkill River Greenways).
Watching his father’s work as mayor made Steve believe things could turn around. Being raised by and around local leaders has provided him with keen insight into the demands and decorum needed to collaborate and empathize with the community.
Steve knew, as a politician’s son, that if the situation needed him to become a political official, he would rise to the occasion to serve. He says that time is now.
The Pennsylvania primary election is May 16, 2023, and the last day to register to vote is May 1. Applications to request a mail-in ballot or absentee ballot must be received by the county election office by 5 p.m. on May 9, 2023. Applying can be done online, by mail or in person. The Berks County election office is located on the first floor of 633 Court St., Reading, PA 19601. The Berks election office phone number is 610-478-6490.
