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Fairfield Mayoral Race

Fairfield Mayor D’Epifanio wins  re-election in rematch

Howard Dirksen

Ron D'Epifanio

ENLARGE PHOTO

Staff photo by Samantha Grier Mayor Ron D'Epifanio embraces family friend Diana Bailey of Fairfield on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer Updated 6:54 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

FAIRFIELD — Ron D’Epifanio will call it a political career after his last term as Fairfield’s mayor.

The incumbent mayor defeated challenger Howard Dirksen for the second straight election Tuesday, Nov. 3. According to Butler County Board of Elections unofficial final results, D’Epifanio won 58.69 percent (6,152 votes) to 41.31 (4,331).

Though happy to win re-election, D’Epifanio admired Dirksen’s hard work.

“I’ve never seen a man work so hard on a campaign as Howard Dirksen did,” D’Epifanio said. “I’m elated to win, but I’m kind of hurt for him.”

The win was a switch from the election four years ago. Then, Dirksen unofficially won the mayoral race by one vote in a three-person race. After an automatic recount, which included provisional ballots, D’Epifanio was declared the victor by five votes.

“I think the stability of the city, being an incumbent, the city being in the financial condition we’re in, all the upgrading of the infrastructure, and all the things we have going that’s good — that carries a lot of weight,” D’Epifanio said of his latest victory.

The 68-year-old mayor said he will continue to be proactive in business development and improving property maintenance regulations.

D’Epifanio also has said he would work to bring future joint economic development districts to the city, as had been accomplished this year with West Chester and Fairfield townships.

During the next four years, D’Epifanio said, nothing really needs to change. He said the city has been proactive for the past 15 years.

“We’re blessed to have the staff that we have, the leadership of the best city manager I think in the state of Ohio or maybe the country,” he said. “We have tremendous department heads and we need to continue to keep working with them.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or mpitman@coxohio.com.

Howard Dirksen

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Congratulations, Mr. Mayor, on your victory. And congratulations to Mr. Dirksen on your hard-fought campaign and your ongoing dedication to this community. This election - regardless of how it went - was a win for Fairfield. I'm looking forward to our Mayor working in close cooperation with our School District on a number of issues for the betterment of our entire community.

Momma
10:55 AM, 11/4/2009

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Who is arnie? i don'tt know no arnie?

Dirtbag
9:13 AM, 11/4/2009

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Hey Dirt Bag......You got yer name right....Leave town with Arnie!

yep,thats yer name
8:42 AM, 11/4/2009

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Mr. Mayor, Can we clean up RT4. I mean we have about 30 places to stop and get alcohol. From Springdale to Symmes Rd. What are we showing our youth. There is nothing to do but drink around here. No wonder the courts have more money than our surrounding counties. That's a fact. Way to many DUI's for our city. We need someplaces to go to that is not alcohol related. And not a stripmall either. Way to many of em now, with all their signage. Yes i have voted for you twice now. Keep up the good work.

Forget me not
8:09 AM, 11/4/2009

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Wht fiarfields about??? Ill tell youn what its about, fiarrfield si about bad pizzia and rt 4 stripmalls, almast as bad as the squalor on rt 4 as you come into hamilton

Dirtbag
6:54 AM, 11/4/2009

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