BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Bucyrus City Law Director Brandon M. Gobrecht expressed his concerns about the escalating tensions among the City Council, citizens, and the Administration in a letter he read at Tuesday’s regular city council meeting.

Gobrecht read his letter as part of his regular report to the city.

Since taking office three months ago, Gobrecht told the council he has observed troubling behavior characterized by drama, personal attacks, and a lack of constructive dialogue. Gobrecht emphasized the importance of civil discourse, noting that while disagreement is a part of democracy, it should not lead to personal animosity.

He called for both officials and citizens to engage respectfully and avoid personal attacks.

He highlighted positive actions taken by individuals, such as the Mayor’s personal financial commitment to support the city, noting that when the Mayor felt the sellers of the former YMCA got a raw deal, he personally purchased the building with plans to donate it to the city. Gobrecht told the council he watched the deal, participated in the efforts, and ensured everything was done legally and above board. He further criticized the negative responses these efforts have received.

Gobrecht stressed the essential role of open dialogue in resolving conflicts and expressed disappointment at the harassment directed at those trying to assist the city.

Gobrecht asserted his impartiality, stating he is dedicated solely to the interests of Bucyrus, and urged all parties to take a step back and collaborate to improve the city’s situation without resorting to harmful tactics..

Gobrecht’s letter:

Date: 11/19/2024

From: Bucyrus City Law Director Brandon M. Gobrecht

Greetings of The Day,

The current situation with Council, citizens, and the Administration is getting completely out of hand. I have some thoughts and opinions on the matter which I believe ought to be said publicly. I have been doing the Civil Law Director job for just shy of three months, and I have seen some very troubling things in an incredibly short period of time.

I was dropped into a situation fraught with drama, school yard taunts, and petty conduct.

The situation appeared to level off there for a couple of weeks, but the situation is becoming inflamed again. Efforts were made attempting to bring everyone together onto the same page and open a dialogue, but it appears that is not what people wish to do. It seems like people WANT to fight. This is most evident in the dispute about whether the five minutes of initial public participation could be “split up” based on other peoples’ public participation.

I have seen people on the official side of the railing say a bunch of nonsense, and people on the public side of the railing say a bunch of nonsense, I have heard threats of lawsuits and investigations from both sides, I have heard fist pounding and temper tantrums be thrown all around. I have seen actions be taken out of spite that are beyond the pale from both sides. What I have not seen though is people acting like adults. It is alright to have disagreements with each other. In fact, it is encouraged in a democratic system. I would like to state unequivocally though, just because you disagree with someone does not make them your enemy. We are all Citizens of Bucyrus, and at the end of the day, we are all going to sleep in the same town and are all going to be waking up in the same town.

This is not to say that people should not criticize their elected officials. Politics is a contact sport, and any elected position is meant to come with criticism. However, I would like to note that everyone here is trying to do their best to govern the City of Bucyrus. I have not seen anyone attempt to sabotage the City of Bucyrus in any way. Are some ideas arguably misguided?

That isn’t for me to decide. I am here to call balls and strikes when it comes to the law. Whether something is misguided is up to the public to speak on, and to do so in a calm and collected manner WITHOUT resorting to primitive tactics and embarrassing behavior.

The flip side of that coin is that the government is supposed to be here to listen to the opinions, comments, and grievances of the public. The public gets to convey these things whether any official likes it or not, and it is beholden on any public official to take criticism with dignity and a certain amount of class. Personal attacks from the public side of the railing are embarrassing and should come to an end, however any personal attacks coming from the official side of the railing must come to an end, because in my opinion, it is not the place of any official to personally attack any citizen. In that regard, I believe it ought to be a one-way street.

Since my time here at the City of Bucyrus, I have seen a lot of folks in the City do things that they don’t have to do, for no other reason than to try and better the City of Bucyrus. The Mayor is a perfect example. When I came onboard the City was dealing with the YMCA purchase contract debacle. The Mayor, in his private capacity, thought that the buyers got a raw deal and that the City ought to have the building. He used his own money to purchase the building and will be donating it to the City of Bucyrus. I watched as the Mayor was accused of hellacious and outlandish things that impugned his reputation. Instead of expressing gratitude to the Mayor, people attacked him. Nothing was illegal, and everything was above board.

Besides the Mayor, I have seen employees who are postponing retirement due to the City’s current situation, while other employees have come out of retirement to offer their assistance. Above and beyond that, someone gave up a job offer to leave this mess behind specifically because they believe it is improper to abandon ship while it is sinking. I have worked with committees and we are churning out legislation and addressing issues as rapidly as possible. The real upshot to this rapid return on legislation is that the Councilmembers are devoting far more time to these tasks than they should, given that the role of Councilman is supposed to be a part time job.

It is not just people within the City that have extended a helping hand to the City either. I have seen local businesses try and assist, only to be met with ridiculous insults and disparagement of their businesses. People will lament as to why “nobody wants to run” and “nobody wants to do anything”, but in the very next breath viciously attack anyone who does ANYTHING to try and help. In my opinion, you do not get to have it both ways. Nobody is going to want to help, or stick around, or come to the City if they know the only thing that will happen to them is name calling and muckraking.

As an aside, I would like to address the rumor regarding me being “bought and paid for” and the notion that I have some sense of loyalty to any individual or group, because it makes me giggle. I’m not on anyone’s side except for the City of Bucyrus. I have said this since day one: I am an attorney. Nobody typically gets to tell me what to do. I do not respond well to threats or blackmail, and my ethics and morals cannot be purchased.

It is important to note that, in my private capacity, I am also an arbitrator and have experience mediating disputes, albeit nothing as melodramatic and petty as this type of situation that the City is currently facing. When I say that nothing will get done without a clear and open dialogue between everyone involved, I mean that. I have spent a considerable amount of effort trying to quietly resolve conflict, but it appears that when one conflict is resolved three more conflicts pop up. It is time for everybody to take a breather and relax. Following people home, going after people’s employment, schooling, businesses, etc., and trying to ruin people’s lives is just abhorrent behavior. It makes me disappointed.

At the end of the day, I am just an advisor to Council. My job in this capacity is to call it like I see it, explain the law, and explain the likely consequences of a potential course of action. If I had a dollar for every time a client didn’t take my advice, I would already be retired.

A closing sentiment from my old Criminal Procedure professor is very on point for this situation. While I don’t remember the exact wording, his closing advice for the class was that at the end of the day, all of this (the law) is just opinion. Nobody really knows what is going to happen with precedent. Opinions are, and should be, subject to change. My request is that you apply that sentiment to your thoughts and actions moving forward, and everybody take a breather so we can get the City sorted out before things deteriorate passed the point of no return.

 

Sincerely,

Brandon Gobrecht

City Law Director

500 S. Sandusky Ave, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820