BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—During the Bucyrus City Council’s regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday evening at the council chambers, resident Ray Thitoff raised concerns regarding the city’s potential purchase of the former YMCA/Skating Rink property located next to the fire station, which is currently listed for sale with Katona Realty.
Thitoff expressed frustration over the city’s consideration of buying the building, citing financial concerns. He questioned the logic of spending money the city does not have, especially in light of the upcoming decision on the levy and its potential impact on the city’s finances. Thitoff emphasized the need for the city to manage its finances responsibly, like any household would.
Council President Kurt Fankhauser responded to Thitoff’s comments by asking him to wait for the public lands and buildings committee reports before further discussing the matter. Fankhauser then called on Chairwoman Aaron Sharrock to present the committee’s report.
A tense exchange ensued between Fankhauser and Sharrock during the meeting, with Sharrock accusing Fankhauser of hijacking the report. Fankhauser defended his actions, stating that he wanted Sharrock to provide the committee’s perspective on the issue.
Fankhauser proceeded to explain the rationale behind considering the purchase of the former YMCA property. He highlighted the need for additional space for the fire department, particularly in light of the current overcrowding at the fire station. Fankhauser proposed demolishing the purchased building to allow for future expansion of the firehouse, citing the historical limitations of the current facility.
He also outlined the financial aspects of the proposed purchase, noting the existence of a dedicated budget line for city property transactions. Fankhauser revealed that funds from the sale of other city properties would be used to finance the acquisition of the YMCA property, with the possibility of completing the deal without additional funding.
The council deliberated on the matter, with plans to sell certain downtown lots to generate revenue for the proposed acquisition. Fankhauser assured transparency in the decision-making process, emphasizing the council’s commitment to responsible financial management and strategic planning for the city’s future.
Following Fankhauser’s report, Aaron Sharrock responded: “I did receive a phone call, immediately, I am sure. I did give you an idea of what people would say about it and gave you other options, including the fact that people were going to think you were taking away yet another landmark building. There could be another roller skating rink that could go in there and other things that could happen. I also asked if you were looking into this, would you contact the building directly behind the fire station because we are still landlocked with those two buildings. I have yet to ever hear about that. So yeah, since you spun that from 7:17 to 7:25, that short story was not quite short. That would be the end of my report.”
Fankhauser agreed that Sharrock brought up concerns about what the kids would have to do in the town without the rink. But he noted that the skating rink has struggled for years and that the person who owns it was selling it because it was hard to keep operating. Fankhauser noted that there has been talk about building a new fire station which would cost at least $5 million. He told the council:
“We are trying to do things the conservative way and be mindful of the taxpayers’ money by acquiring this building and completing any additions for much less than $5 million.”
Citizen Ray Thitoff returned to the podium, saying that the city doesn’t need to get rid of one dilapidated building and buy another.
“If the levy doesn’t pass, you are coming after the out-of-town tax credit again. The population is down, why do we need more beds? Why are we spending dollars before we have them? We are going to need that money.”
Fankhauser tried to explain to Thitoff that monies used to acquire and sell property cannot be used for any other purpose. The money from the sale of any parcels or the old station cannot be used for any operating expenses or payroll within the city.
Thitoff responded, “What you’re saying doesn’t mean squat to me because you’re coming after the out-of-town worker tax credit if this levy doesn’t pass. Just because it’s your idea doesn’t make it right.”
Other citizens chimed in as well. Angela Fishpaw, a resident for 16 years, told the council that the city does not care about the next generation. Although she said she could see both sides of the argument, she believed the city should hang onto the north end station and use it for EMS services only. Councilman Kevin Myers explained that the department personnel cross-man the equipment, so they really need to be in the same facility. He noted that the north end station is now being used for storage.
Fishpaw reiterated that she saw both sides of the issue, but that the kids in this town need something to do. Fankhauser asked her if she would like to open the skating rink and operate it herself for the kids in town.
Fishpaw replied, “Get me a loan, co-sign, and I’ll do it.”
Fankhauser responded, “Will you and Aaron run it?”
Resident Clarissa Slater took to the podium to challenge the sensibility of buying the building. Slater said she supports the building of a new police and fire station. She told the council she was empathetic to their situation and that they had inherited issues that have been kicked down the road for years. She felt they were putting the cart before the horse and that foresight is not the city’s strong point.
She also expressed her frustration with fire personnel. “If I was making six figures and making almost three times the average salary of a person in Bucyrus, and I was worried about being crowded in a building, they’re going to have to be resourceful. They are being compensated for the situations they are in.”
Slater noted that the police department has one of the smallest dispatch centers in the state and that they are outgrowing their quarters.
Fankhauser responded, “So you think we should build a brand-new combined police and fire station? Is that where you’re heading with this?”
Slater: “Yes. It’s going to be a long-term problem that needs a long-term solution. I know it’s going to be expensive. I didn’t say that it wasn’t but tearing down another historical building…”
And in what became an intense disagreement, Fankhauser said that he believed the tearing down of the old YMCA and the additions needed to the fire department would cost well under $1 million. He also told Council that he felt like this move is a long-term solution for space at the fire department. The entire exchange may have been for naught. No legislation can be drafted without a law Director. Currently, Bucyrus is without an interim Law Director in the absence of Law Director Brian Gernert. The city continues to work on a solution to that that dilemma.