BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Tensions escalated during Tuesday night’s Bucyrus City Council meeting as members and the 0audience engaged in a heated discussion about the agenda, particularly surrounding the invocation, a moment of silence, and a resolution denouncing violence in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
City Councilman Kevin Myers, a candidate for City Council President on the November ballot, proposed a motion to remove and adjust items on the agenda. This included the invocation, which has been part of the recent meetings and led by Council President Kurt Fankhauser.
Councilwoman Aaron Sharrock, who has consistently abstained from participating in the invocation, voiced concerns about inclusivity, advocating for prayers that represent multiple denominations, and her disdain for Fankhauser leading the invocations.
Myers argued that it was inappropriate for any council member to lead the prayer, despite his own identity as a professing Christian. He emphasized that he also represents constituents who do not share his faith. Consequently, he sought to remove the invocation from the agenda. He noted his primary motivation for asking it to be removed was because he believes no one on the council or Fankhauser should lead it.
Additionally, the council agenda had included a moment of silence in honor of political activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated recently.
Myers requested that Kirk’s name be omitted, suggesting instead that the moment of silence honor “all persons who lost their lives due to political ideology and free speech.”
Fankhauser countered that honoring Kirk was essential, given recent state and federal mandates to lower flags to half-staff in his memory. The council ultimately favored Myers’ amendment regarding the moment of silence.
The altercation continued over the invocation as Fankhauser called on resident Bill Stuckert asking him to pray, a request Stuckert declined. Councilwoman Vicki Dishon expressed her disapproval of Fankhauser leading the invocation, stating, “The invocation is fine… but not from you! I feel like I’m listening to the devil!” Dishon said.
Fankhauser responded by pointing to a figurine of Jesus on the table before him, to which Dishon quipped, “You are so laughable, it’s unreal.”
In a vote that culminated in the invocation being removed from the agenda, the measure passed four to two, with Councilwoman Clarissa Slater and Councilman Chris Mauritz opposing the removal. Following the vote, Fankhauser declared that council had removed God from the meeting.
During the public participation segment, Bill Stuckert expressed gratitude for the opportunity to pray and shared his belief that God should play a role in the city’s decision-making processes. He suggested involving local clergy and church members to lead invocations. The meeting also revealed that Fankhauser, Myers, and Law Director Gobrecht are all licensed ministers.
Fellow resident and Council President candidate Greg White concluded his remarks with a heartfelt tribute to Charlie Kirk, stating, “Charlie Kirk, you will never be forgotten; your message will live forever because I stand for the flag and I will kneel for the Cross.”
The revised moment of silence was duly observed, honoring all those who have lost their lives due to political ideology and free speech.
Myers additionally requested the removal of a proposed resolution to renounce violence in light of Kirk’s assassination, citing the cost of advertising it as an improper use of taxpayer dollars. Resident Terry Spiegel urged the council to proceed with the resolution to universally denounce violence, aligning it with the revised moment of silence.
A discussion is scheduled for Thursday’s committee meetings.
Clergy or volunteers interested in leading an invocation should contact city hall for further participation details.