BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Tensions ran high at a recent Bucyrus City Council Committees meeting as confusion and accusations of deception swirled regarding the potential purchase of a skating rink adjacent to the fire station. Angela Fishpaw, a Bucyrus resident, took the floor during public participation to accuse Council President Kurt Fankhauser of misleading the council and the community about the status of the purchase, suggesting that it was already a “done deal” and possibly conducted without the full council’s knowledge.
An investigation by Crawford County Now revealed details of the purchase agreement, showing that the agreement was signed on July 24, 2024, with only Mayor Truka’s and the seller’s signatures on the document.
Fankhauser discussed the purchase of the building during an August 12th Public Lands and Buildings committee meeting. That discussion led to a motion to draft legislation for the purchase. Both Committee Chair Aaron Sharrock and member Zyan Hickman voted to draft the legislation, with Hickman making the motion. However, both seemed surprised at the agreement.
Further scrutiny of the agreement uncovered discrepancies, including alterations to the closing date without the initials of the buyer and sellers. The council discussed purchasing the property contingent on council approval. No notations of those contingencies were in the agreement. The original closing date was set for August 14, 2024.
Complicating matters, Law Director Brian Gernert was arrested on August 10, 2024, for suspicion of OVI, rendering him unable to fulfill his duties. The City Administration is now working to secure legal representation to fill the void, leaving the city unable to proceed with any legislative actions in the meantime.
To view the purchase agreement and the minutes from the August 12 Public Lands and Buildings meeting, click the link below.
