BUCYRUS—Former Bucyrus City Council President Kurt Fankhauser filed as a write-in candidate on the May primary ballot. Fankhauser seeks to rejoin the council as President. As of today, this is the only candidate that has filed for the position now held by Jenny Vermillion. Vermillion has filed to run for Mayor vacating the Council President’s seat.
Fankhauser filed just days before the deadline for write-in candidates, Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
In an exclusive statement to Crawford County Now, Fankhauser wrote:
“Right now, our city is facing a looming financial crisis. Several long-serving administrative positions are retiring, such as the Auditor and the Mayor. In addition, several outgoing council members with much-needed council experience are leaving. It has created a void of knowledge in our city government. I feel someone with my experience is needed to step in, at least for a short time to help transition the next set of elected officials in the upcoming 2024 terms. After serious consideration and the lack of any other candidate stepping up to run for city office, “I have filed with the board of elections to run for the Bucyrus City Council President as a write-in candidate on the May 2, 2023, primary election as a Republican. I look forward to working with the new Mayor, auditor, and the rest of the council on the issues that face Bucyrus. I want to help continue making our city the best it can be.”
Fankhauser said a deciding factor of whether or not to run for office was the letter Mayor Jeff Reser and Service Safety Director Jeff Wagner sent to Fire Chief Chad Schwemley directing him to reduce personnel.
Fankhauser pledges to do whatever is necessary to keep police and fire services at full staffing: ” The EMS (ambulance) plan only works with six fireman on duty,” Fankhauser said.
Crawford County Now will continue to provide necessary election updates.