By Logan Andrew |Freewire Magazine — Your News, Your Voice
BUCYRUS — After years of serving the city from a council-at-large seat, Kevin Myers has stepped into a new role as council president. But even before he officially picked up the gavel for the first session of the year, Myers was already working behind the scenes to change the way Bucyrus City Council operates.
Knowing that the window between the November election and the January swearing in offers a unique legal opportunity, Myers organized an informal gathering for incoming council members. Because the new members were not yet sworn in, the gathering allowed for open dialogue and team building without the procedural constraints of a formal public meeting.
A Rare Opportunity for Unity
For Myers, the initiative was about more than just a social hour; it was a strategic move to ensure the newest faces on council, Cody Scott (Ward 4), Ray Thitoff (Council-At-Large), Robert Taylor (Council-At-Large), and Allison LeClair (Ward 2) felt prepared from day one.
“I’m excited to work with these newcomers, along with returning members Mee, Spiegel, and Mauritz,” Myers said. “I hope we can all work effectively together as a team to move forward the best version of Bucyrus we can provide.”
While veteran members Chris Mauritz and Terry Spiegel were kept away by work and personal commitments, Jim Mee, who successfully transitioned from his Ward 4 seat to a council-at-large position this term, was able to attend portions of the session to provide institutional knowledge.
“I’ve been fielding a lot of important questions from the future members of council,” Mee said, noting that the goal was to prepare them as much as possible for the next two years. “One of the unwritten rules I gave them is to know what you’re voting on. Each council person has the right to stop the meeting at any time and say, ‘Explain this to me,’ or ‘I’m not comfortable with this; let’s put this back to committee and explore this further.’”
Behind the Scenes of the City
A major pillar of Myers’ initiative was a “boots on the ground” tour of the city’s vital infrastructure. The group spent time visiting the Fire Department, the sewage plant, the wastewater plant, the service garage, and the Bucyrus/Crawford County Airport.
“I had a great experience touring the city’s facilities and meeting the people who work there,” said Scott. “It was very informative on how everything is run. I’m very optimistic this council will put the best interests of the citizens first.”
Allison LeClair agreed, noting that the tours provided a perspective most citizens never see.
“Getting to know current and new council members along with their thoughts on current issues and concerns was a good way to start this term,” LeClair said. “I’m new to all of this aside from watching the meetings, so it was good to be able to openly ask questions to get a better grasp on how the processes work. It’s helped me build more confidence starting this term.”
A Different Vibe for the New Term
Beyond the technical training, the meeting appeared to establish a culture of camaraderie that members hope will define this legislative term.
“It was very informative and hopefully relieves some of the anxiety of our first official meeting,” said Robert Taylor. “It also showed leadership from the council president and Jim Mee, taking time to help make the transition smoother for the new members.”
Ray Thitoff echoed that sentiment, suggesting this council is entering the year with a unique energy.
“It showed we are a team, and I think everyone can feel that,” Thitoff said. “We can laugh together and we can disagree with each other at the same time. This group has a very different vibe from past councils. You may see some difference in opinions now and then, but at the end of the night, we are all still going to work together as a team to do the best job we possibly can for the City of Bucyrus.”
With a mix of seasoned veterans and a fresh, optimistic class of representatives, the focus remains on moving Bucyrus forward—a goal Myers clearly believes starts with building a strong foundation outside the council chambers.
Last night marked the first official meeting of the 2026–27 Bucyrus City Council. Based on the early collaboration, preparation, and positive momentum already shown, the new council appears to be off to a strong start.
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