By: Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com
With a backdrop of holiday cheer elected officials for the City of Bucyrus took their oaths of office for their upcoming terms.
Elected Mayor Jeff Reser guided proceedings, and Municipal Court Judge Shane Leuthold administered the oaths of office as nine city officials were sworn in.
“I feel a lot more relaxed this time around,” the Mayor said, “But still excited.”
Experience was something of a theme, with only one newcomer among the oath takers. Reser rattled off the years of service for some officials, with Sis Love checking in at 12 years, Joyce Schifer at 24 years (16 as auditor and eight as treasurer), and Richard Rockwell at 14 years. As for himself, Reser was happy that this was not his first oath of office.
“That year and a half have been huge,” Reser said.
Leuthold said few words before administering the oaths, and particularly spoke of the courage necessary to run for political office.
“It requires a tremendous amount of courage,” Leuthold said, “Courage to say we’re going to do the right thing for the community.”
Daniel Wirebaugh is returning to Council after a term away as he had some paperwork issues the last election cycle. He was quick to outline where his focus would be this time around: jobs and economic development. He also spoke of his desire to be receptive to the needs of the community, and cited his belief that no one person knows best.
“I guess the one thing is I want to know what the people want,” Wirebaugh said, “Is this what everybody wants?”
The lone newcomer was Mark Makeever, who was elected to City Council in his first ever public office. Although this was Makeever’s first time in council chambers in an official capacity, he has been no stranger to City Council. He has been attending every meeting since the end of the primary in May to observe and learn.
“Being a citizen here you learn the only way to get things changed is you have to volunteer or run for office. I didn’t like the way a few things were being done so I ran for office.” Makeever said.
Leuthold expressed his optimism for the coming year.
“I’m looking forward to 2016. We’ve assembled a fine group of community leaders to lead the city.”