by Logan Andrew | FreeWire Magazine — Your News, Your Voice
The September 17 meeting of Bucyrus City Council stretched late into the evening, marked by sharp procedural disputes, a complicated legal update on the city’s wastewater system, and renewed calls for accountability at the council table. What began with a clash over the agenda carried through public criticism, technical presentations, and finally a letter of censure aimed at Council President Kurt Fankhauser.
Just days before the meeting, Fankhauser posted a video on the Facebook page Citizens for a More Transparent Bucyrus — a page he had spent weeks denying he ran — declaring he was “waving the white flag,” tired of the controversy, YouTube videos, and distractions. But by Tuesday night, his handling of agenda disputes and clashes with colleagues left little doubt that his words were dubious at best.
Agenda Amendments and Early Conflict
The fireworks began almost immediately. Councilmember Kevin Myers moved to amend the agenda in three ways: broaden the moment of silence beyond Charlie Kirk to all victims of political violence and free speech, remove the denominational invocation, and strike a planned discussion of a resolution condemning violence in the wake of Kirk’s death.
What followed was a tangle of points of order and appeals, with Councilmember Aaron Sharrock challenging the president’s authority to weigh in without relinquishing the gavel. Fankhauser overruled, declaring he would “run the meeting,” prompting frustration from colleagues.
After a pause to put the motion in writing, the council voted on each item separately:
- Moment of Silence: Revised to a general remembrance, passing with only Slater opposed and Moritz abstaining.
- Invocation: Removed by a 4–2 vote, with Dishon pointedly stating she would not listen to Fankhauser pray, saying it made her feel “like listening to the devil.”
- Resolution Condemning Violence: Survived on a 3–3 split, with Fankhauser breaking the tie to keep it on the agenda.
With those amendments settled, the council held a broad moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Wastewater System Update
The first major presentation came from Louis McMahon, an environmental attorney who grew up in nearby Crestline. Representing the city in ongoing discussions with regulators, McMahon brought what he called “good news”: Ohio EPA is prepared to take over enforcement from U.S. EPA, offering a chance for Bucyrus to craft a comprehensive long-term control plan for its combined sewer overflows.
Key takeaways from his remarks:
- Bucyrus has operated under unusual federal orders requiring percentage-based overflow reductions without a full long-term plan.
- Ohio EPA will issue new state administrative orders, letting the city recalibrate its sewer model, avoid oversizing or undersizing projects, and integrate work with broader infrastructure needs.
- High-rate treatment at the wastewater plant remains on hold pending recalibration, but interim upgrades and tide flex gates on the river overflows are proceeding.
- A complete plan could take 1–2 years to finalize, though smaller projects and modeling updates will continue in the meantime.
Councilmembers pressed McMahon and wastewater foreman Tim Wood on whether money had been wasted. Both stressed prior engineering work remains useful, with Ohio EPA insisting the city “touch things once” and build only what is needed.
Public Comments
As the floor opened, criticism came swiftly:
- Greg White blasted council for inaction, alleging cover-ups over personnel matters and questioning city finances. He ended by issuing Councilmember Dishon a personal “cease and desist” to stop referring to him as a “neighbor” — even though, legally irrelevant or not, they live in the same neighborhood, fitting the definition. It’s the latest in a long line of legal buzzwords tossed around by White and his allies with little regard for what they actually mean or how they’re used. In the span of one breath, White advocates for his own free speech while attempting to curtail hers.
- Keith French accused Fankhauser of recklessly releasing confidential information online, calling for his removal. He challenged the president directly about a conversation with police over overtime costs, which Fankhauser denied.
- Robert Taylor mocked the need for a resolution against violence, calling it “common sense,” and warned against letting EPA test household taps.
- Gary Daiber announced his candidacy as a write-in for Ward 3, citing “lifelong morals and common sense.”
- Alena Fox, also campaigning as a write-in, used her time to encourage voter registration and called again for Fankhauser’s resignation, citing a culture of negativity.
The tone throughout was critical, with repeated calls for change in council leadership.
Committee and Officer Reports
Committee chairs gave updates ranging from budget preparations to property abatements. Highlights included:
- Finance committee beginning work on the 2026 budget.
- Economic development committee considering a CRA incentive program for housing and business growth.
- Service committee addressing infrastructure and public works needs.
From city officers:
- Mayor Bruce Truka welcomed Forge Fire Systems to Bucyrus and highlighted progress on a trail grant application.
- Auditor Kali Lewis presented the latest financials.
- Clerk Kelli Patterson-Tussey was reintroduced to council, returning after several years away.
Old & New Business
The night’s second major flashpoint came with a letter of censure drafted by Councilmember Aaron Sharrock. In the letter, Sharrock accused Council President Kurt Fankhauser of conduct unbecoming his office.
Little was discussed regarding the not-so-veiled attempt at separating the council president's words and actions from those of the council at large in the event of legal action, but possible censure can be taken up at any time.
Conclusion
The meeting adjourned just before 9:30 p.m. From a fiery fight over the agenda to a dense legal update on sewer compliance and a contentious censure letter, the session showcased a council still deeply divided. And for all of Fankhauser’s public insistence just days earlier that he was finished with the controversy, what unfolded left many residents convinced that surrender was the last thing on his mind.
