3 min read
Jan 22, 2025
By Logan Andrew | Editor-in-chief, FreeWire
From transparency advocate to polarizing figure, can Kurt Fankhauser reclaim the promise of his early activism?
Editorial: A Step Forward for Kurt Fankhauser?
Yesterday, Kurt Fankhauser surrendered in the voter fraud challenge and changed his address, avoiding a hearing altogether. It’s a step forward — one that resolves an issue Bucyrus didn’t need hanging over its council president. Yet, as with many of Fankhauser’s actions, this move doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
If Kurt were to speak on the matter, he might claim the city has more pressing concerns than determining his residency. But it’s a tough argument to make for someone who’s built a reputation on scrutinizing others and, at times, amplifying allegations that crumble under even the slightest scrutiny. His focus on these issues has often overshadowed the valid work he’s done, leaving many to see him as the “boy who cried wolf.”
This perception isn’t baseless. Kurt has a long track record of taking actions that, intentionally or not, have political undertones. Whether it’s recordings of council members like Vicki Dishon and Aaron Sharrock, or hearsay about figures like Kevin Myers, these controversies have framed him as someone who acts less out of principle and more out of strategy. To what extent this is true may be up for debate, but the pattern has eroded trust and made it difficult for people to view his work without skepticism.
Take last night’s suggestion to disable public comments during council meetings. His reasoning? That businesses might see those comments and decide against investing in Bucyrus. On the surface, it seems like a pragmatic concern. But it’s hard to ignore the irony: without the citizen activist version of Kurt Fankhauser — who once taped and shared council meetings online — public comments might not even exist in their current form. Now, as council president, he’s proposing to silence the same voices he once amplified.
Public comments are far from the top reasons why businesses hesitate to invest in Bucyrus. But you know what might be? A council president whose public actions frequently blur the lines between governance and political self-interest. The allegations he pushes on platforms like YouTube often distract from the legitimate issues he raises, like the budget. Worse, the way he disables comments on his own videos sends a message that he’s more interested in controlling the narrative than fostering true dialogue.
And yet, it would be a mistake to dismiss Kurt Fankhauser’s legacy entirely. When he created the Citizens for a More Transparent Bucyrus Facebook page, he struck a chord with residents who were tired of feeling left in the dark. Much like the political figure he fashions himself after, Donald Trump, Kurt garnered significant support by shining a light on the city’s “swamp” — the backroom agreements, the handshake deals, and the proverbial cigar smoke-filled rooms. His work as a citizen activist gave Bucyrus residents a window into the inner workings of local government, empowering them with knowledge they didn’t have before.
Kurt’s insistence on transparency was refreshing, even revolutionary, at the time. He tapped into something real — a frustration with business-as-usual politics and a yearning for accountability. That passion earned him supporters and even a seat on the council. It’s important to remember that these accomplishments came from a genuine place of wanting to improve the community.
There’s still potential for Kurt to rediscover the version of himself that sparked such a movement. Resolving the residency issue was a step in the right direction. Now, he has the chance to focus on the issues that matter most and lead in a way that reflects the ideals he once championed. The question is whether he’ll embrace that opportunity — or let it slip away.
We’re waiting, Kurt. Maybe, just maybe, there’s still time for your heart to grow back three sizes.
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