*Note: This is a reader-submitted opinion piece. Opinions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@crawfordcountynow.com
Dear Editor,
Once again some of our elected officials of Bucyrus City Council don’t want to tell the truth about the YMCA. Clearly, you would think that these people would have got their act together by now. However, they just keep on hiding behind the closed door and think no one will know about it. The sale of the YMCA to the city has been played out, and it is a done deal. Voted on not to purchase this building. But several of these council members forget that once executive session or in this case the deal is over, the door is open. It is what I believe to be true, that during the 3 executive sessions in which; all Council members, the Mayor, the Auditor, Safety/Service Director and the former Law Director were present.That these council members verbal approved to give the mayor the right to negotiate and sign the contact with the owner of said building. When during the Special Public Lands and Buildings committee, after they approved the minutes of the last meeting minutes. Mr. Hickman made the motion for draft legislation to purchase said building and was voted on and approved by all members. Then basically came out and blamed the mayor for everything gone wrong with this deal and they didn’t know anything about this. Remember, that this is all on record for the public to watch.
In the mayor’s statement, said it plain and simply. I did everything that the council wanted me to do on the purchase of this property with their approval. I totally believe that this is true. Why would this mayor do something that would be illegal? Plus, the former law director would have stepped in to stop this from the beginning. Why did the auditor cut a check for $1,000.00 for earnest money? This check was given towards the purchase of said property and was cashed by the seller. Was all of this money returned to the city or does the city lose this money?
Now council members want to sell the North End Fire Station, why? There is nothing really wrong with this building, the roof has been replaced and maybe some minor repairs need done. The Fire Chief and the Union stated that they need more room to
store equipment and for training (during the purchase of the YMCA building). This property is easily accessible to them, but the council wanted them to store this equipment at the city garage on Irving Street. More travel time, unlock a gate, get into the building and then lock up behind them. That takes more time, in an emergency, time is someone’s life. This property is more valuable than the $263,000.00 that was stated on the value of this building. Even one council member wanted to sell this for less than this price. The city could not afford to purchase land and build another building like this one. Under today’s standards, it would be around 1 million dollars. Now that is using the taxpayers money wisely. Is there a council member and some other members using their position to help make sure that this property is sold? Is there some sort of a back door deal going on? Could a member of council end up with this property, if it would go up for auction or bid? Maybe a friend of a council member wanted this to happen?
Time will tell us the true facts in this case, but it will be at the taxpayers expense.There is a lot more to this story, and other things that are going to come out very shortly. Stay turned, because I believe that citizens should know what their elected officials are doing.
Respectfully submitted, Greg White
1125 Hillcrest Drive
Bucyrus, Ohio 44820