Council tensions rise, legislation stalls, and a long-serving police chief prepares to retire.
by Logan Andrew, Editor-in-Chief | FreeWire
The Bucyrus City Council gathered Tuesday evening, April 22, beginning with a moment of silence for former Councilman Bill O'Rourke. What started as a routine session quickly turned into one of the most contentious and emotionally charged meetings in recent memory.
A Walkout, a Breakdown, and a Boiling Point
The biggest headline of the night wasn’t a vote or a policy—it was Councilwoman Vicki Dishon walking out of executive session, visibly upset, after a tense public dispute with Law Director Brandon Gobrecht earlier in the evening.
Dishon has long been known for her meticulous attention to detail, but this time, it clashed head-on with Gobrecht’s brisk approach to legislative drafting. Their disagreement, centered on the accuracy and preparation of council legislation, came to a head during a prolonged exchange over ordinance language. Gobrecht defended himself on the floor, stating, “I got bitched at for doing the legislation the right way when you requested it wrong, now you're unhappy that I did it exactly how you requested it but it wasn't what you meant to do,” before being cut off.
Councilwoman Clarissa Slater tried to keep things from unraveling further. “I have the utmost respect for Vicki—she’s like my council mom, and I’ve learned so much from her. Since April 2024, I’ve said the same thing: she’s so detail-oriented that sometimes the bigger picture gets lost. Brandon, on the other hand, has pushed out more legislation than any law director in recent memory, but he can miss the finer points. They’re complete opposites, and that’s not a bad thing. If we can get them working together, it would be a huge win for the city.”
Dishon’s absence didn’t just split the room emotionally—it also split it procedurally. When a vote was later taken on whether to formally excuse her absence, Councilwoman Aaron Sharrock and Councilman Zyan Hickman voted yes. The motion failed, 3–2.
Sharrock later told FreeWire, “Nobody should have to deal with what she was and has been dealing with.”
Hickman added, “My colleagues made their choice, and I made mine. I have to respect that, just as they have to respect my choice.”
Council President Reverses Course
When council returned from executive session, tensions remained high.
Council President Kurt Fankhauser attempted to move forward with a vote on ordinances relating to manpower raises and fire department staffing, despite the absence of two council members. Slater moved to table the vote until all members could be present—a motion seconded by Councilman Jim Mee.
Fankhauser objected, claiming council was trying to delay the vote. That caught many off guard.
Just three weeks ago, when Sharrock was absent, Fankhauser had made the exact opposite argument—insisting that council delay the vote until every seat was filled. Slater had agreed with him at the time. But now, with Councilman Chris Mauritz (some would argue a political ally of Fankhauser) absent, he reversed course and accused others of obstruction. Sharrock even pointed this out, saying, "Either we were actually worried about that, or it was a personal attack on one member. So are you admitting to a personal attack?"
Fankhauser, appearing frustrated, then claimed, “I’ve never personally attacked any member of council.”
That remark drew silent disbelief from several in the room. Fankhauser has routinely criticized fellow members on his YouTube channel—sometimes harshly—particularly those who have challenged him publicly. His frequent targets have notably excluded Mee and Mauritz. A Facebook group dedicated to the "Shenanigans" of Fankhauser put together a 25 minute video of the council president doing exactly what he claims never to have done.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FgHA4pdBP
Water Bills and 75 Cents of Fury Resident Roger Rush took the mic to voice his frustration over ancient water bills—one of which totaled just $0.75 but was over a decade old. He claimed he never received the bills, only to be told years later that payment was still expected, or service would be cut off. The city said it would investigate the situation.
Economic Development: Progress, But Challenges Remain Interim Director Greg Timberlake of the Crawford Partnership gave council a clear-eyed look at where the city stands on attracting new industry. He laid out the hurdles, including lingering perceptions of a limited workforce and the need for better infrastructure to host visiting developers.
His presentation included visuals on key development sites, workforce statistics, and grant opportunities. Councilman Kevin Myers praised it as “probably the best presentation I’ve seen from your organization in my seven years on council.”
Timberlake also briefed council on the county’s $1.5 million EPA brownfield grant, which will help identify and plan cleanup for dozens of neglected properties across the region.
Police Chief Neil Assenheimer to Retire After 25 years of service, Police Chief Neil Assenheimer will officially retire on May 30.
Myers said, “Chief did a great job leading the department the last five years and was a marvelous asset to the department and the community for the past 25 years.”
Sharrock called him “amazing,” while Hickman added, “I wish Chief Assenheimer the best of luck. I'd like to thank him for his service and dedication to the city.”
City Finances: Holding Steady, But With Warnings City Auditor Kali Lewis reported that the city received $1.5 million from a general obligation bond and again earned national recognition for financial reporting. Still, she warned that if the street levy fails, the city may face project cuts and even layoffs.
While the levy funds can’t be used directly for salaries, its loss could shift more pressure onto the already stretched general fund—potentially impacting staffing in critical departments.
Other Legislative Business
- Ordinance 23-2025 (snow removal) was sent back to committee.
- Ordinance 25-2025 (fire staffing) was tabled again.
- Resolution 212-2025 (Cruisin’ with the Cops street closures) passed without opposition.
New Referrals and Final Notes Council sent the topics of tiny homes and hotel bed taxes to committee. A special meeting is planned for Thursday to finish up the work they couldn’t get to Tuesday.
As council adjourned just after 10:30 p.m., there was no mistaking the tension that lingered in the room. Whether that tension signals change—or collapse—may depend on what happens next time everyone shows up.
One thing is certain: Bucyrus politics never lack drama. And on Tuesday night, City Hall felt more like a pressure cooker than a government building.
