BUCYRUS—What started out as a routine council meeting presided over by Pro tem Council President Dan Wirebaugh turned into a shouting match ending in a citizen’s removal from the meeting by order of Wirebaugh.
Bucyrus resident Carolyn Shireman announced her candidacy for a spot on the Republican Central Committee in Precinct 2B. Shireman said her goal is to involve her constituency in updated meetings and events. She told council she wanted people to be able to attend meetings, dinners, fundraisers and have the opportunity to meet their senators and members of Congress.
Shireman then turned her focus on the Mayor and his proposal to reduce the tax credit for citizens who work out of town but live in Bucyrus. Reser has proposed reducing or eliminating the credit to increase city revenue.
Shireman told Reser that people want him to answer why he wants to reduce the credit. She told him that many people she encountered were unhappy. “ We need more revenue,” Reser said.
Reser told Shireman that he had only received two phone calls about the issue. He pointed out that no one was at tonight’s meeting to ask questions.
Councilmember Aaron Sharrock told the Mayor that many people showed up to the finance committee meeting to express their concerns but could not because he did not attend.
Reser then told Shireman to tell citizens or businesses to give him a call, and he’d be happy to discuss his reasons to cut the credit with them.
Shireman replied to Reser’s implication that no one was concerned enough to come to this meeting: “If you are not at the meetings, people can’t ask you questions. You tell them to come to the meetings to ask you.” Shireman said.
Reser said the matter would be postponed until after the April tax season. It will now be discussed at a May meeting. He gave his word that people would receive more than a 24-hour notice of the date and time of the May meeting so they could have ample time to plan to attend.
Kurt Fankhauser, former council president, addressed the credit reduction and said that although Reser claims he is not increasing taxes if he reduces the tax credits on out-of-town workers, it translates to a tax increase to those affected by it. Fankhauser told council he had already ordered 100 signs opposing this measure. In a remark akin to their past disagreements, Fankhauser had this warning for the Mayor: “Get ready for the signs on Plymouth Street (where the Mayor resides)because it’s gonna be lined.”
“Thanks for the information,” Reser replied.
Carolyn Shireman then challenged the entire council: “ If the people are being asked to take a tax credit reduction, would you guys all be interested in a 2% pay reduction? I can tell by every one of your faces. The answer is no!”
One council member could be heard suggesting they don’t make that much money. “The people out in the city don’t make that much money either!” Shireman exclaimed.
“I’m running this meeting. Please sit down.” Wirebaugh said.
“You’re not doing a very good job!” Shireman said.
Wirebaugh then asked the Bucyrus Police Department Officer working the meeting to remove Shireman from council chambers.
“Could you please remove me? I want everyone on Facebook to see this. You’re not very well-liked as it is.” Shireman said.
After Shireman was escorted out, the council went into an executive session to discuss upcoming legislation.
In other business, Vicki Dishon advised council of advertising requirements that were not met in order to take bids on work the city plans to contract for. City Law Director Brian Gernert said the ad for bids ran four days instead of the required five days and was going to be run again.
Council then referred several upcoming resolutions to various committees.
Anyone wishing to speak to Mayor Reser may call him Monday thru Friday between 8 am and 5 pm at 419-562-6767 Extension 1.