BUCYRUS — Republican primary election candidates for the positions of Bucyrus mayor and council president met up with each other at Bucyrus High School recently to answer questions from the public during a Meet the Candidates event.
The Bucyrus Firefighters IAFF Local 1120 sponsored the question-and-answer-style event.
“We wanted to provide an opportunity for people to get to know the candidates for the primary election on May 7. We will hold another event in the fall for the general election,” said Greg Hershey of the Bucyrus Fire Department.
James Massara, news director for Crawford County Now, Iconic Rock Q92.7 WQEL and Country Legends 1540AM/107.5FM radio stations in Bucyrus, was the moderator for the event, posing questions to the candidates that were submitted by Bucyrus residents.
During introductions by each of the four Republican mayoral candidates, former Crawford County Commissioner Jenny Vermillion said she would fight for the citizens of Bucyrus.
“I will have an open-door policy just as I did as a commissioner,” Vermillion said.
Katona, owner of Katona Realty and a U.S. Veteran, said he has worked in law enforcement and has been an Eagle Scout.
“I am president of the board at Camp Michael and have worked with United Way,” Katona said.
Current Mayor Jeff Reser said he appreciates the other candidates who are willing to serve the city.
“I love being the mayor of Bucyrus. We have moved Bucyrus forward in a lot of ways and have many plans for the next four years,” said Reser, who is the owner and operator of Lee’s Shoes.
Mike Allonas, who owned and operated Mike’s TV and Appliance for many years, said he is committed to making Bucyrus better.
“I want to support the local business people. I know how important that is. We need to shop here instead of Mansfield and Marion to support our local tax structure,” Allonas said. “I am listening to what the residents of Bucyrus want.”
Massara said the event is a question and answer style, not a debate, and that all four candidates are there because they believe in the success of the city.
The first question posed to the candidates by Massara was, “How do you feel you support locally owned businesses and how do you plan to continue to support local businesses if elected?”
All four candidates said they shop and dine in Bucyrus and want to create tax incentives to help new businesses and foster growth of established ones.
The candidates also agreed there needs to be a focus on attracting people to the city to increase the tax base and to become water customers.
Massara said, “Utilities bills, such as water and sewage, are large concerns for local residents. Do you have a short or long-term plan that will affect lower rates for residents of Bucyrus?”
All four candidates said expanding the customer base and increasing the population of the city are the two best ways to decrease the utility rates for residents.
During the question and answer period for the two Republican council president candidates introduced themselves.
“I worked for the city for 47 years. I was the superintendent at the waste water treatment plant for 20 years the last three years I was the utility director on the water side,” said candidate Terry Spiegel, who was a long-time water department supervisor has also been heavily involved with the Lion’s Club and past council president at his church, Good Hope Lutheran.
Kurt Fankhauser said he started his own business, Wavelinc Communications, at the age of 17. He said he worked as a volunteer firefighter for several years until he began attending Bucyrus City Council meetings to record them for local residents.
“The council meetings and fire meetings were on the same night,” Fankhauser said. “My main focus has been keeping the citizens informed of what is happening with the city.”
Both candidates said they have leadership experience through their work that includes the supervision of employees that they manage or have managed.
Massara asked how each of the candidates would make themselves available to the public and to council members if elected.
“As council president, you have an office at City Hall that is always open for people to come in and ask questions,” Spiegel said. “As council president, you have to dictate what direction you want the council on and assign what committees you want them on.”
He said council members could have different ideas but need to be on the same page at some point.
Fankhauser said his business allows him to be very accessible to the public.
“Throughout the week, I am at local businesses, talking with business owners and residents of the city, Fankhauser said.
The complete event may be viewed in the videos above.