Kris Knapp appointed Ontario mayor by Richland County Republican Central Committee

Ontario safety-service director Kris Knapp will be sworn in as the new mayor of Ontario at the city's next council meeting next week.

Wednesday night, Richland County Republican Party Central Committee members Jane Zimmerman, Zoi Romanchuk, Susan Hellinger and Kyle Webb made the official vote and appointment. They earlier interviewed five candidates, one of whom withdrew their application.

Three members voted for Knapp and one voted for Councilman Josh Bradley. The other applicants were Councilman Troy Sapp and former council member Mark Weidemyre.

Knapp, who will be appointed Aug. 7, will serve as mayor through the end of former Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson 's term in December of 2025. Hutchinson announced he was stepping down as mayor earlier this year.

Knapp, 58, became the safety service director in 2022. He served as a health and physical education teacher for 33 years at Ontario Schools, where he was also the athletic trainer. He graduated from Ontario High School in 1984.

Knapp said he plans to seek election to the mayoral seat on next year's ballot.

He plans to continue to work on water, sewer upgrades, street repaving and park improvements.

Budget will be one of his priorities.

"I want to continue to work with the owners of the former General Motors property," he said. "And most important, I plan to serve the citizens of Ontario, over 6,000 residents."

He plans to continue to build open communications with staff and focus on the positive things in the city, he said, including collaboration with the Ontario schools ad Springfield Township. He would like to hold neighborhood watch meetings.

"Communications and relationships are going to be a big part of my goals," he said.

He said he wanted to thank the members of the Republican Central Committee for their due diligence.

"I am very humbled and honored," Knapp said.

lwhitmir@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Kris Knapp appointed Ontario mayor by Richland County Republican Central Committee