The newest members of the Fairbury City Council gave their oaths, swapped in their name placards, and took their seats on the dais for the first time at the first official meeting of the newest edition of the council on Tuesday night.  

Following their widely anticipated election that came down to a contentious final few weeks, Kelly Davis was officially sworn in as the new mayor of Fairbury, taking over for Spencer Brown, who was not present for Tuesday's transition.  

Four seats on the council were up for grabs this year as well, and those four councilpeople – two new members and two returning – were sworn in Tuesday as well. Brad Kuzelka won his race to maintain his seat while John Ebke ran unopposed to retain his. Newcomer Jaime McDaniel won a close race to become the only woman on the council this cycle, replacing Doug Brown after 20 years of service, while Charley Endorf won the race to take over the seat now vacated by Davis, who moved a couple of chairs over to his right to preside over the council’s session for the first time.  

"I really appreciate this opportunity from the city of Fairbury," Davis said in an address to both the council and the crowd on Tuesday. "I really appreciate what they've done for me in putting me in this position, and I will do my very best to be worthy of it."

With Brown in the center chair, Davis served the last term as president of the council, essentially the second in command, in charge of helming the meetings whenever the mayor is not present. With Davis now first in command, Kuzelka won the election to become the new council president for this four-year term, edging out Brian Schmidt in a narrow 4-3 vote.