Mee Proclaims ‘Most Important Issue Facing Bucyrus’—And It’s Not What You Think

While Bucyrus debates Facebook comments, Councilman warns of the issue that could define the city’s future.

"The updating Bucyrus property maintenance code and rezoning of the city is the most important thing to the future of the city—to bring housing and jobs within the city limits. We're talking about updating codes that haven't been touched since the 1960s. Taking the International Property Maintenance Code (IMPC) and implementing it into Bucyrus' property maintenance code so every line and paragraph is enforceable. And no one cares."

That’s what Bucyrus City Councilman James Mee had to say about the recent zoning and property maintenance code updates—a process that could shape Bucyrus’ economic future for decades to come. “And no one cares,” Mee added. “No members of the public show up to the meeting. Not one good comment usable from Facebook.”

Meanwhile, Facebook arguments over comment moderation are thriving.

A recent article reignited the ever-growing debate over "cyberbullying" and "threats" in Bucyrus' online spaces, but while people spend hours arguing over comment sections, there’s virtually no discussion about what actually matters. The future of Bucyrus isn’t being decided on social media. It’s being decided in meetings no one is attending.

Bucyrus' Future: Stuck in the 1960s?

The city’s zoning codes haven’t been updated since the 1960s, meaning they don’t reflect modern business needs. The property maintenance code updates will allow the city to enforce long-overdue cleanup and safety measures for neglected properties. Bucyrus needs to expand and modernize its business district, but without zoning changes, investment will go elsewhere.

While no one showed up to these zoning meetings in Bucyrus, other Ohio cities have already taken action. Columbus recently overhauled its zoning laws to encourage business growth and housing development, drawing major corporate interest. Chillicothe is streamlining its land development codes to make business expansion easier. Cleveland is revitalizing vacant lots to create job-ready sites and attract new businesses.

While other cities are preparing for the next decade, Bucyrus is still arguing over who should or shouldn’t be allowed to comment on Facebook. Hilariously, those who complained the loudest when one committee meeting wasn't livestreamed are now the first to lay down their arms, even encourage the disregard for the First Amendment.

Real Issues, Real Consequences

A former county official put it bluntly: The Facebook drama isn’t a good look for Bucyrus—but it’s not the real problem.

When prospective businesses look at Bucyrus, they’re not making decisions based on who is arguing in a comment section. They’re making decisions based on headlines—like council members fighting themselves instead of the issues and allegedly taking part in crimes of moral turpitude.

That’s what deters investment. That’s what makes Bucyrus look unprofessional.

The only positive that’s come out of all this is that people are finally paying attention. The question is: What do they do with that attention?

A Call to Action: Using the Momentum for Something Real

James Mee put it plainly:

"If people put half the effort into understanding city planning that they do into arguing online, we’d be in a much better position.”

He’s right.

This city’s future won’t be decided in a comment section. It will be decided by who shows up, who engages, and who is willing to step up.

The question is, will Bucyrus learn from this moment? Or will the attention disappear—just like a shadowbanned comment?