About Me
Therapist.
Business Owner.
Father.
Organizer.
Neighbor.
Your priorities are my priorities.
Let me introduce myself.
Hi there! I’m Micah, and I’m running to be your First Ward Alderman here in Berwyn. I know it can be tricky to get a real sense of who politicians are, especially when every word seems polished to perfection. Despite that, I’m going to try my best to tell you a bit about myself and why I care so much about our community.
I grew up in Milwaukee in a small bungalow that reminds me a lot of the homes here in Berwyn. It was a full house with me, my three brothers, and our parents all sharing one bathroom. Those early years taught me a lot about compromise, communication, and finding the humor in life’s everyday challenges.
My parents were always my most powerful role models of public service. When I was a toddler, they started a faith-based community service organization. They both had full-time jobs, but they spent their limited free time helping others. I can remember spending many evenings and weekends volunteering at food kitchens and shelters. We helped people move into their first homes. We welcomed strangers into a strong, loving community. They showed me that making a difference isn’t just about faith and good intentions – it’s about rolling up your sleeves and getting to work.
That lesson stuck with me through college at Saint Louis University, where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish, and then at Marquette for my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. For the past decade, I’ve worked as a mental health therapist, helping people from all walks of life – folks dealing with addiction, homelessness, incarceration, and refugee children. Each person I’ve met has taught me something new about the unique challenges people come up against and how resilient they can be in the face of it all.
After several years in San Diego, the Midwest called me back and my wife and I moved to Berwyn. It felt right from day one. We decided that this was where we wanted to call home, and I opened my own therapy practice. Then came the biggest adventure of all – becoming a dad to our wonderful two-year-old daughter.
Being a homeowner, father, and a small business owner in Berwyn has really opened my eyes to both the challenges and the potential of our city. Finding tradesmen and contractors willing to work in Berwyn has been a challenge, and when I requested a permit to do my own plumbing repairs this year, the city banned the pipe material I planned to use. As a parent, I’m constantly on edge watching cars zoom through stop signs in our neighborhood while my little girl plays outside. More and more, I feel that Berwyn’s leadership has designed our city as a place to drive through rather than a place to live.
So, I decided to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I began leading a group called Bike Walk Berwyn to advocate for safer, more accessible streets and I started speaking up at city council meetings. It felt good, but as I started talking with neighbors and learning about our city’s needs, I saw a much bigger vision for what Berwyn could be. I knew I could do more. And that’s why running for Alderman today.
As a mental health professional, I’ve learned the importance of really listening to people and working together to find solutions. And through my work as an educational filmmaker (with a YouTube channel that somehow got over 240,000 subscribers!), I know how to explain complex ideas in ways that are easy to understand. My hope is that I can put those skills to good use in the role of Alderman.
But there’s also more to me than just my professional life. When I’m not working or chasing after my toddler, you might find me tackling a DIY home project, experimenting with a new homebrew recipe, going on a run or bike ride around town, or unwinding with a video game. At the end of the day, I’m just a regular neighbor who wants to make a difference. I’ve met tons of people here who feel the same way but don’t want to run for office themselves. I hope to be their voice and push for positive changes we all want to see.
So if you ever see me around town, don’t hesitate to say hello. I’m always up for a good conversation, a walk, or a cup of coffee. Most importantly, I want to hear what matters to you.
I’m Micah Caldwell, and I’d be honored to serve as your First Ward Alderman. Let’s work together to make Berwyn an even better place to call home.
Why I'm running for Alderman.
As a mental health therapist, small business owner, and community organizer, I’ve dedicated my career to listening, solving problems, and bringing people together. Now, I want to put these skills to work for you, every day, as your Alderman.
I grew up in a close-knit neighborhood much like Berwyn. So when my wife and I first moved to Berwyn in early 2021, we instantly felt at home. The warmth of our neighbors, charm of the local businesses, and the vibrant community atmosphere convinced us this was where we wanted to put down roots and raise our family.
As our family has grown, so has our love for Berwyn. But great cities don’t thrive by accident. They thrive through the dedication of engaged citizens and responsive leadership. After settling in Berwyn, I began attending city council meetings. What I saw was concerning. Many on the current city council, including my opponent, often rubber-stamped proposals, budgets, and resolutions without proper debate or consideration. Residents’ concerns fell on deaf ears and community input was ignored.
That’s why I’m running for Alderman.
I believe Berwyn deserves an Alderman who truly listens. You deserve government officials who are as hardworking and resourceful as the residents they serve. You deserve an independent voice who genuinely represents your needs. If elected, I pledge to work tirelessly to address the issues that matter most to you:
- Fiscal Responsibility: Our tax dollars should work as hard as we do. I’ll advocate for the first independent audit of our city spending to ensure transparency and efficiency. Our taxes should translate into visible benefits. I’ll work to cut unnecessary fines, fees, and red tape that burden residents and businesses.
- Infrastructure: From flooding basements to dangerous intersections, our infrastructure needs urgent attention. I’ll advocate for practical, sustainable, data-driven solutions that make our streets safer and easier to navigate for everyone, keep our homes drier as climate change progresses, and our community more prepared for whatever the future holds.
- Business Revitalization: We need strong community hubs and flourishing small businesses. I’ll work to attract diverse, family-friendly businesses that people in the neighborhood really want while limiting video gaming parlors. We also need to fix the rat problem that plagues our homes and local businesses once and for all.
- Connecting Our Community: Finding out what’s happening in Berwyn shouldn’t be a treasure hunt. I’ll create an easy-to-use events calendar on our city website so you can discover all the local happenings in one place. I’ll also advocate for the creation of new community spaces like a farmer’s market, public market, and others. And I’ll always make sure our parks and recreation facilities are protected and supported.
- Open and Responsive Government: You deserve a City Hall that works for you, not special interests. As your independent voice, I’ll hold officials accountable, challenge nepotism and self-dealing, and make decisions that put you first. I’m committed to keeping you informed in real-time, hosting regular town halls, and creating an easy online feedback form for your 24/7 input. We need a more transparent, accessible, and ethical Berwyn government.
I’m running for Alderman because Berwyn deserves better than the status quo. Our city has changed a lot in recent years, becoming more diverse and welcoming a new generation of residents. But our local leadership hasn’t always kept up, often sticking to outdated practices and old-school political networks that don’t serve our modern city.
Like many of you, I chose Berwyn for its unique character, its potential, and its sense of home. As a newer resident with roots in a community much like ours, I bring a fresh perspective to our city’s challenges and opportunities. I see paths for growth that can benefit all our neighbors, longtime residents and newcomers alike. My goal is to inject new energy and ideas to our city council, guiding Berwyn towards future that honors its traditions while embracing positive change.
I’m running for Alderman because I love Berwyn, and when you love something, you fight to make it better. This campaign isn’t just about winning an election. It’s about laying the groundwork for the kind of community that you can feel proud of for generations to come. So let’s move our city forward, together.
