FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The Council of the City of Fairmont voted at its September 12 meeting to appoint City Clerk Janet Keller to be Interim City Manager.
City Manager Valerie Means will officially vacate her position on Friday, September 15, 2023, and Keller will fill the role until the City concludes its search for a new, permanent City Manager. Council also appointed David Kirk, the City’s Communication & Marketing Manager, to be Interim City Clerk while Keller serves as City Manager.
“Council asked if I’d be willing to serve as interim since I served as the interim for six months in 2015 before the hiring of Robin Gomez. I told Council I would be honored to serve again,” Keller said. “There are a lot of duties I have as City Clerk that I can’t do as City Manager, so that’s why Council also appointed an Interim City Clerk.”
Keller has served the City of Fairmont for 45 years, with 33 of those years having served as City Clerk.
With her previous experience and wealth of knowledge, Council believes that Keller makes a prime candidate to serve as Interim City Manager.
“Janet has given 45 years of service to the city and 33 years as Clerk. She’s served as Interim City Manager before and she’s been gracious enough to serve again. She has the skills and experience to get the job done,” Fairmont Mayor Anne Bolyard said. “As Valerie exits, Council would like to thank her for her service and for the many projects she completed in the last several years. I want to extend my personal thanks to her for the guidance she’s provided to me in my time on Council.”
As Means finishes out her last week in her position, she believes Council has made an appointment that will result in smooth and productive transition moving forward and she thanks Council, City employees and the public for their support during her time as Fairmont City Manager.
“The city will be in the best hands with Janet. She’s very experienced and she will move the City forward and continue all our ongoing projects,” Means said. “I just wish everyone the best.”
The committee overseeing the hiring of a new City Manager is continuing the search and updates regarding the search will be made when possible.