NEWS

Dems facing off in mayoral race

Todd Hill
Reporter

BUCYRUS – Two Democrats who have previously occupied the mayor's office in Bucyrus will face off in Tuesday's primary election for the right to run against the current mayor, Republican Jeff Reser, in November.

Daniel F. Ross, 62, and Michael W. Jacobs, 69, are vying for the seat. Reser is unopposed on the Republican line in Tuesday's primary.

Ross, who won the office in 2004, resigned in 2010 amid allegations he no longer lived inside the city limits (he does now), a requirement for Ohio mayors.

Ross was replaced by Jacobs, an appointee of the Democratic Central Committee. A year later, Jacobs ran for the mayoral seat against Roger Moore, who won the office. After Moore died in office last May, Reser was appointed to replace him.

Ross was also a Bucyrus firefighter for 26 years, the last eight as chief of the department. Jacobs previously served on City Council for 14 years.

"It wouldn't be fair to me to criticize what's being done now, but people are down on the city and we have got to find ways to make people believe in Bucyrus again, without spending a lot of money," Jacobs said.

"Back in January and February when I was working on my petition, I had a tremendous number of people in the community come up to me and tell me they'd like me to be mayor again," Ross said.

"Working for the people is something I've done most of my life. It's one of the things I like doing, learning what people want and need."

Dan Ross
Michael Jacobs

Jacobs said that during his time as mayor the city completed a downtown street project on time and within budget, reduced the cost of electricity to the city by $200,000 over three years, completed a sewer project on the north side of town on time and within budget, and added new playground equipment at Lions and Harmon fields without taxpayer money.

"I believe I can still make a difference," he said. "I think we need to spend time with other communities working on ways to reduce the cost of operating the government."

Ross said his experience with the Fire Department, as well as his years as mayor, taught him how to work within budgets as well. He noted that the city obtained $13 million in grant funding when he was mayor.

"I don't have a list of things I would change. But I would sit down with employees, unions and department heads and ask them how things could be done better. That way workers feel they're part of the program. We have a lot of good things going for us," he said.

Both candidates emphasized that illegal drug activity is among the city's biggest challenges today, and said the administration needs to work harder at cleaning up or demolishing abandoned properties.

In addition to Reser, several people will appear on the ballot Tuesday in uncontested races.

Three Bucyrus residents are running for three at-large seats on the City Council. On the Democratic side, Wanda Sharrock, who currently sits on council, and Daniel L. Wirebaugh, a former councilman, are running, while Mark A. Makeever is running on the Republican ticket.

Two at-large councilmen, John Walker, a Democrat, and Richard E. Rockwell, a Republican, are retiring this year.

Several Republicans now ensconced in the Bucyrus city building will appear in uncontested races on the primary ballot as they attempt to remain in their positions, namely council president Sis Love, city auditor Joyce Schifer and law director Rob Ratliff.

Current council members Bruce Truka and Monica Sack, both Republicans, will appear on the ballot unopposed as they seek to retain their seats in the 1st and 2nd wards, respectively.

Meanwhile in Crestline, Gerald Dowell, one-time police chief there, is the only Democrat running for mayor of that village on the Crawford/Richland county line.

thill3@nncogannett.com

419-563-9225

Twitter: @ToddHillMNJ