by Logan Andrew | FreeWire Magazine — Your News, Your Voice
BUCYRUS — A lively but civil evening at Baker’s Pizza brought voters face-to-face with nearly every candidate running for Bucyrus City Council in November. Organized by the Bucyrus First PAC, the “Meet Your Candidates” event drew residents from across the city who were eager to hear the contenders’ priorities and visions.
PAC Treasurer Fred Fischer opened the night by thanking everyone for coming. He noted that every candidate had been mailed two invitations to attend and said he was disappointed that some invitations — as well as repeated outreach to Crawford County Now and The Telegraph-Forum — received no response.
Over the course of the evening, six candidates — from long-time public servants to first-time office seekers — took the microphone. Here’s a look at what each of them said:
Kevin Myers — Council President Candidate
Kevin Myers, the Republican candidate for Council President, emphasized turning down the “noise and negativity” that has surrounded City Council and focusing instead on moving Bucyrus forward. A veteran of eight years on council, Myers highlighted his service as Finance and Health & Safety chair, his time as Council President Pro Tempore, and representation on boards from the Crawford Park District to the Bucyrus Tourism & Visitors Bureau and director of the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival.
He framed his leadership as less about party labels and more about fiscal responsibility, economic development, affordable housing, and restoring respect and decency to the Council President’s office. Myers also spotlighted the need for improved infrastructure and strong public-safety forces. He ended with, “Let’s get Bucyrus back to business. Our families, our neighbors, our friends and our future depends on it,” Myers told the crowd.
Terry Spiegel — Ward 3 Write-In Candidate
Spiegel, a write-in candidate for Ward 3 running against Gary Daiber, drew on his 45-year career with the city — 20 years as Wastewater Plant Superintendent and four years as Utilities Director. Having stepped back into council in June after Zyan Hickman moved out of the ward, Spiegel pitched himself as a stabilizing force with deep institutional knowledge.
He stressed direct accessibility (“my phone number’s in the book”) and urged the city to be open to new business so young people, like his own children, aren’t forced to leave for work.
C. Aaron Sharrock — Ward 2 Incumbent (Democrat)
Sharrock, who has served Ward 2 since first stepping up to fill a vacancy, spoke about her lifelong roots in Bucyrus and raising three children here. She argued for a culture that values all kinds of work — from factory to restaurant to professional — and makes young people feel welcome to return.
Sharrock comes from a family steeped in public service: her grandfather Clare A. Sharrock was a mayor, her father a judge, and her mother Wanda served on council. “We need people who will step up for our community, not for themselves,” she said, asking for voters’ support to continue in November.
Allison LeClair — Ward 2 Republican Challenger
LeClair, who previously ran for Council President, is now seeking the Ward 2 seat as a Republican. She told the crowd she’s “over the drama” of recent years and wants to get council back to its core work of addressing issues rather than personal attacks.
A Bucyrus resident for nearly 10 years, she works in occupational therapy at the High Road School of Bucyrus and is a swim instructor at the YMCA. She acknowledged she doesn’t have the political experience of some rivals but pledged to keep learning and stay engaged even if not elected. “I just really want our town to get back to what it was,” she said.
Cody Scott — Ward 4 Candidate (Unopposed)
At 22, Scott would be the youngest person ever to serve on Bucyrus City Council. Running unopposed for Ward 4, he told voters he hopes to bring younger people into civic life and sees himself as part of the city’s future generation.
Scott said he wants to fill empty industrial land with high-paying jobs and increase affordable housing, calling current prices “ridiculous” and promising to work for “the best of the city and the years to come.”
Alena T. Fox — At-Large Write-In Candidate
Fox, a lifelong Bucyrus resident and community organizational leader, made perhaps the night’s most detailed speech. She traced decades of volunteerism — from 4-H and fundraising for local charities to mental-health advocacy and tree-planting as secretary of the Bucyrus Tree Commission — and said she was inspired to run by a podcast quote: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”
She called for well-trained, respected safety forces; business leaders with a seat at the table; schools that prepare students for all paths and encourage them to return; and open, accountable government. “Let’s build a better Bucyrus together,” she urged, asking voters to write in her name.
Jim Mee — At-Large Candidate (Republican)
Mee, currently serving Ward 4 and now seeking an at-large seat, kept his remarks short and simple. A 43-year veteran of General Electric and lifelong Bucyrus resident, he thanked the crowd for attending and signaled his commitment to continue serving the city.
Candidates Not in Attendance
Several names on the ballot did not attend the meet-and-greet despite receiving invitations, including:
- Robert Taylor (At-Large, Republican ticket)
- Chris Mauritz (Ward 1 Republican, running unopposed)
- Gary Daiber (Ward 3 write-in candidate)
- Greg White (Council President candidate, running as an Independent)
A Night of Civility and Engagement
Throughout the evening, candidates fielded questions, shook hands, and spoke with voters about the issues they see as critical to Bucyrus’ future — from fiscal responsibility and infrastructure to housing, jobs, and restoring respect to local government.
For the Bucyrus First PAC, the event was an opportunity to foster civil conversation and transparency. More photos from the night are available on the PAC’s website, and voter registration forms were provided at the event for anyone needing them.
This article is part of FreeWire’s continuing coverage of the 2025 Bucyrus City elections.
