BUCYRUS — Two republican candidates for Bucyrus City Council president recently answered questions pertaining to how they plan to act in the position if they are elected and what life experiences will help them in the role.

The candidates’ answers are published as they were submitted.

Q: Please give your background information including details of why you believe you would be the best choice for the position you are seeking.

Kurt Fankhauser: I started my business Wavelinc Communications 15 years ago in Bucyrus at the age of 17. I manage 2 full time employees with that business in addition to myself. I know how to balance budgets and anticipate expenses long into the future. Growing up I was in FFA at Wynford and have experience running meetings doing parliamentary procedure as far back as the 9th grade. I was a volunteer fireman serving in Crawford County for over 10 years and through that have gained a lot of knowledge on what it takes to provide quality EMS and Fire services to the community. I am very well connected and in touch with the citizens of Bucyrus and other business owners in Bucyrus because of the daily operations of my business and am very accessible to the public through that.

Terry Spiegel: Joined the Bucyrus Lions Club in 1983 and have been president 3 times was elected to District Governor in 1998 where I presided over 65 clubs. I visited every club in that year. My wife Linda and I are members of Good Hope Lutheran Church. I was elected to church Council for six years and served as council president for 2 terms. With this experience I know that I can do a great job as City Council President by the experience I have from running meetings.

Q: Do you believe supporting locally-owned businesses outweighs bringing chain businesses to Bucyrus? Please explain.

Kurt Fankhauser: ABSOLUTELY! The locally owned business’s keep any profits they make local versus those profits going out of town for a non-locally owned business. They will use local contractors when they do building improvements and will shop local and make other major purchases locally. In the past I have seen the city bend over backwards to bring out of town chains in and bend zoning laws for them but when a local person wants to do something similar they have to fight an uphill battle. It should not be that way, the city should be supporting the locally owned business’s over any out of town chain. Recently the city purchased McFarlands trailer park and is trying to sell that to a fast food chain. I believe that since public money was used to buy that property it should first be offered to the public for a locally owned business before it is offered to an out of town franchise.

Terry Spiegel: Yes. I believe that locally owned businesses have more of a personal feeling than a chain store does. With local business you know the owner and they are more likely to help you when you are in an emergency.

Q: Do you believe in following a “majority rules” mindset when making decisions, or are there times to go against the majority? Can you give examples?

Kurt Fankhauser: I believe that I would be representing all citizens of Bucyrus and I should do what those citizens want regarding any decisions that are made. A recent bike lane was proposed by the administration on North Sandusky Ave and after they asked the public to submit their comments there was not a single resident of Bucyrus that wanted to see that bike lane put on North Sandusky. The only comment the city received in favor was from someone that lived 5 miles outside of Bucyrus. Elected officials should do what their constituents want not any personal agenda’s they may have. I see no reason when the majority of the citizens want something that we should not follow those citizens’ wishes.

Terry Spiegel: I firmly believe that all of the time majority rules.

Q: What do you believe is the main role of the position you are seeking?

Kurt Fankhauser: The council president is the main representative of council at whole and is to be a driver for what direction the citizens want the city to go in. The council president needs to make sure all the council members have full knowledge on all issues at hand and are well prepared far in advance of the issues that are being voted on. The council president should make sure that the citizens voices are heard at council meetings by giving those citizens opportunities to speak at the meetings. Public entities operate in a glass house and should have full transparency with everything they do. All meetings of the city should be recorded and placed on the city website for review of its citizens.

Terry Spiegel: Work with Law Director and Auditor for Compliance of City, State and Federal rules. Follow Protocol for everything from money allocations for Projects BZA changes Zoning and Alley Vacations to name a few Follow state regulations for records and Records retention. Keep council informed everything so that are not blindsided on anything. Do public Notices. Work with the Administration so that city can run as efficient as it can. Set up the council committees. Run the most efficient meeting as possible. Vote only if there is only a tie.

The 2019 primary and special election is May 7 and polls will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.