FAIRFIELD, Ohio — Fairfield Mayor Steve Miller resigned abruptly Monday night, telling City Council it was the hardest thing he has ever done, but it was time to step aside. “I’ve been around since 1997, and next year will be 30 years I’ve been in or around council,” Miller said. “And tonight, I am submitting my resignation as mayor. My time has come to an end.” Miller said he still loves the city and the job, but that in recent months he had started to lose the passion he once brought to the office. He said he had a long-standing rule of returning every call, email, and text within 24 hours and had stopped meeting that standard. “It doesn’t matter what everybody else does. It matters what I do,” he said. “I can just feel now that this time, I really need to retire for good, and it breaks my heart.” Miller is a lifelong Fairfield resident. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1983 and from Capital University in 1987. He was first elected to City Council in 1997 as the Fourth Ward representative and later served as vice mayor. He became acting mayor in 2005 after the late Dr. Erick Cook resigned, and he was elected mayor in 2014. He said he will keep his home in Fairfield, spend more time in Florida during the winter months, and leave the work to what he called a strong council and staff. “Not one person gets anything done. It takes a team,” Miller said. He pointed to recent projects such as Riegert Square and Symmes Road as examples of work the current council completed. Miller submitted a letter of resignation effective immediately. He tearfully handed over his office keys, badge, and pin, and said he would personally pay to change the nameplates so the city would not have that expense. He said he was turning the role over to “my very capable and hopefully next mayor, Tim Myers,” and wished the city well. “I’ve given everything I’ve had to this city, and I’m very proud of what was accomplished as a group,” Miller said. “Farewell. Good night.” as he walked out the side door of the city building.
(Editor's Note: AI-Assisted Copy)
Image Credit: City of Fairfield
