BUCYRUS—At Tuesday night’s regular Bucyrus City Council meeting, Council President Kurt Fankhauser, temporarily passed the gavel to President pro tempore Bruce Truka. Fankhauser approached the podium that is used by the public to address the council. He then read the following letter:

It has recently come to my attention that there most likely is an active criminal investigation regarding the Council Office. Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the parties involved, and the fact that the office itself may very well be a crime scene the office can no longer function properly. Therefore effective immediately I am closing the office pending any and all investigations so that said investigations can be concluded swiftly and un-fettered.

Due to possible conflicts of interest and ulterior motives regarding the City Administrations’ control over the Bucyrus Police Department and the City Hall building I am requesting that the Crawford County Sheriff take over any and all complaints pertaining to these matters so that an independent and unbiased investigation can occur. I am also turning over all keys to the office to the County Sheriff until the investigation is concluded and cleared by the County Prosecutors’ office.

I also have reason to believe that the security of the office itself may have been compromised due to a device capable of violating the Ohio Wiretapping Law (O.R.C. 2933.52) being present in the office that was placed there by the Bucyrus City Administration. I expressed these concerns to the Bucyrus Police Chief on March 24th however seeing no action taken regarding that complaint I am requesting that the Crawford County Sheriff take over investigating that issue as well.

Finally, I want to apologize to the Citizens of Bucyrus and especially the Council Clerk for the inconvenience that will be caused by the temporary closure of the Council Office. It was not my wish to do so as I want nothing more than to carry on the city’s business that the voters elected me to do however because of the seriousness of the allegations this is the only option that can be done to ensure the integrity of that office. Also, I am more than willing to work with the current city administration to take care of city business and put all the bickering behind us.

Sincerely,

Kurt Fankhauser, Bucyrus Council President

Fankhauser then sat back down and continued with the meeting. A sign has been posted on the Clerk of Council’s office giving instructions on what to do if you have needs regarding the Council.