BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The Bucyrus City Council convened for their usual meeting on Tuesday evening, where Council Clerk Miranda Wise shared an email from Councilwoman Carolyn Shireman explaining her recent absences from council and committee meetings. In the email, Shireman requested to donate a portion of her salary back to the city to make up for her absences.
Shireman disclosed that her absences originated from filing a petition for a civil protection order against resident Clarissa Slater, a regular attendee at council meetings. Slater has also filed for protection order against Shireman. The two are set to face off in court in late September. Shireman expressed her desire for the council to excuse her absences due to the pending court order. “I would like this all to be over,” Shireman emphasized. She also apologized for the situation, stating she did not want the council to be negatively portrayed.
While council salaries are fixed and cannot be donated back to the city, a 2% deduction can be made for unexcused absences. Councilwoman Vicki Dishon contested Shireman’s request, citing that Shireman has not yet been granted a protection order, so that in itself cannot be used as grounds for an excused absence. The council agreed. The council voted to declare Shireman’s recent absence as unexcused and planned to deduct the appropriate amount of $137.27 from her salary. Shireman also received an unexcused absence from the July 23rd council meeting. Deductions can only be applied to regular council meetings and do not include committee meetings.
Interim Law Director Brandon Gobrecht recommended Council President Kurt Fankhauser notify the city auditor of the unexcused absences to initiate the salary deduction process. Fankhauser said he would prepare the letter immediately. Dishon addressed the negative social media comments, urging individuals on council not to engage. “I plead to everyone to stop posting unkind social media comments. If you find you are the subject of these postings, please do not reply. By not replying I have to believe the situation we have all been put in will stop. Please prove me right,” Dishon said.
During public participation, Clarissa Slater proposed utilizing Ohio Supreme Court’s mediation services to address absenteeism and inappropriate behavior among elected officials. Slater, one of the council’s most outspoken critics, advocated for private discussions (through executive session) to prevent further public scrutiny.
The council decided not to excuse Shireman’s absence or to accept her letter of explanation. Councilman James Mee successfully motioned for Shireman’s removal from the Ad-Hoc committee he chairs for property maintenance codes and revisions.