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Lillian de Baptiste sworn in for second term as mayor of West Chester; council leadership chosen
Summary
Lillian de Baptiste took the oath of office for a second term as mayor of West Chester on Jan. 5, 2026. The council then reorganized: Nicole Simone was elected council president and Bernie Flynn elected vice president. The meeting included brief remarks, ceremonial music and transition to council business.
Lillian de Baptiste was sworn in as mayor of West Chester on Jan. 5, 2026, at a public ceremony that preceded the borough council’s reorganization meeting. Clifford de Baptiste, former mayor and the new mayor’s father, and Judge Freda Maddox administered the oath of office.
Josh Lee, chief of police, opened the event and asked the room to observe a moment of silence "in recognition of the fallen Delaware state trooper," then introduced dignitaries and borough staff in attendance. At the oath, de Baptiste repeated the standard pledge: "I, Lillian de Baptiste, do solemnly declare and affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and that I will execute the duties of the office of mayor of the Borough of West Chester, Pennsylvania, with fidelity." Judge Freda Maddox and Clifford de Baptiste participated in the administration of the oath.
Following the swearing-in, former mayor Clifford de Baptiste addressed the assembled guests with congratulatory remarks and personal reflections on public service. The ceremony included a brief musical presentation and remarks thanking family, administration and borough staff.
After the inauguration ceremony the mayor opened the borough council reorganization meeting and led the pledge of allegiance. The council then administered oaths to newly elected council members in ward order and proceeded to elect its leadership for the coming term. Jerome Shispaniak (Ward 1), Steven Marvin (Ward 5) and Lisa Kearns (Ward 7) each took the oath of office before council business began.
The reorganization portion of the meeting concluded with the election of Nicole Simone as council president and Bernie Flynn as vice president. The votes were held by roll call; Simone and Flynn both addressed the council briefly after their selections, thanking colleagues and outlining priorities for 2026.
The meeting transitioned from ceremonial remarks to routine council business after the leadership elections.
