FAIRBORN — The Fairborn City Council looks different this week as the mayor and deputy mayor stepped down and commended the city’s new leadership.

Paul Keller and Kevin Knepp ended their mayor and deputy mayor terms in a council meeting on Dec. 4, welcoming in new council member Sylvia Chess and new mayor Dan Kirkpatrick. Council members Tana Stanton and Clint Allen were also sworn in for a second term following the five-way November race.

Judge Beth Cappelli officially swore in all new and returning council members to their elected positions, as well as Kirkpatrick

“I’m honored to serve the 34,000-plus citizens of Fairborn and wish to thank them for their support,” Keller said at the meeting. “I see new housing choices, new employment opportunities, and I see an overall brighter outlook for our city”

Keller said he has seen “significant changes” in his time on the council, and commended the work of those around him. He also thanked mayors Sarah Mays of Xenia, Bob Stone of Beavercreek, and Riverside mayor Pete Williams, who was present at the meeting, and offered his congratulations on Keller’s time in office.

City manager Rob Anderson resigned in November, and he was also thanked for his service to the community. In his place, assistant city manager Mike Gebhart was acting city manager for the duration of the council meeting.

“The city of Fairborn has grown and is better because of their efforts and their hard work,” Kirkpatrick said. “It is now the challenge of this council sitting up here to expand on what they have accomplished, to move the city of Fairborn even further and to new heights.”

Kirkpatrick said he wants Fairborn to be “a safe place for our citizens to live,” and wants to work “very closely” with surrounding areas including Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Wright State University, Bath Township, Fairborn City Schools, the Chamber of Commerce, and more.

Kirkpatrick said he is also committed to holding monthly “citizens forums” each month, and the first will begin on Jan. 22, 2024.

The new Fairborn City Council has been updated online and on the Fairborn Municipal Government Facebook page, which said the council meeting was “a celebratory evening all around.”

Contact Ethan Charles at 937-502-4532.