Fairborn Council focus is on growing economy

Half of Fairborn City Council is newly elected, but city officials say council’s focus will remain on economic development.

New council members Clint Allen, Kevin Knepp and Tana Stanton will replace Marilyn McCauley, Tim Steininger and Terry Burkert. Allen, Knepp and Stanton were sworn in last week.

Steininger and McCauley served on Fairborn City Council for eight years. Burkert was on city council for four years.

Fairborn City Manager Rob Anderson said city council adopts a strategic plan, and the city is currently operating on the plan made and approved by the old city council. Anderson plans to sit down with the new city council and discuss any changes to the strategic plan in February.

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“I think economic development is still going to be a huge priority,” Anderson said. “I think we’re still going to be pointing in the same direction.”

Allen retired from the Air Force in 2006. He and his family have lived in Fairborn since 1997.

The South Carolina native said he would like to continue redeveloping downtown Fairborn, which had been a focus of the old city council.

“I want us to grow along with our neighboring cities, like Beavercreek and Huber Heights,” Allen said. “I want to improve the city’s economic standing.”

Allen also wants to encourage his fellow council members and the city manager to improve communication with Fairborn residents.

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“We should get out in pairs and meet with citizens in a church or a coffee shop and answer questions in an informal setting,” Allen said. “These citizen engagement sessions would be key.”

Stanton said communication between the city and its citizens is also one thing she wanted to focus on in her first months on council.

“I feel confident that in terms of communication between the city and the residents, we will be able to achieve something and make some change soon,” Stanton said.

The software developer said she got involved in politics because of her concerns on climate change. Stanton said she hopes to see a solar project in Fairborn.

She also wants to push for construction projects the city has planned, like the new public works building, to be “green” projects or projects with a lower carbon footprint.

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“I want us to be one of the best small towns in the state of Ohio,” Allen said.

Attempts to reach Councilman Knepp were unsuccessful. In his answers to the Dayton Daily News voter’s guide, Knepp listed economic development as his top priority if elected to council.

Anderson said he thought the transition from the old city council to the new council would be “seamless.”

“These people may be new to council, but they’re definitely not new to Fairborn,” Anderson said. “They’ve all been involved with the city for a long time.”

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