In the wake of Councilwoman Carolyn Shireman’s dramatic self-removal from all council committees and her subsequent censure, Freewire reached out to council members and the law director for their insights into the events and what lies ahead for Bucyrus City Council. The responses reveal a fractured body attempting to regain public trust amidst what many have described as a “three-ring circus.”
Council Members Speak Out
Councilman Kevin Myers emphasized the importance of distinguishing between the disruptive actions of one member and the collective work of the council. “Mrs. Shireman was, last night and for a majority of her time in her position, again disruptive and her actions are counterproductive to the goals of regaining public trust and doing our jobs,” he stated. Myers reiterated that most council members remain committed to addressing the city’s pressing issues and asked the public not to lump all council members together as part of the problem. He also objected to the use of descriptions like “laughing stock” and “three-ring circus,” stressing that these terms unfairly reflect on those working hard to do their jobs.
While Myers’ point is valid — Shireman’s actions are the result of an individual, not the entire council — it is also true that such behavior reflects poorly on the council as a whole. The disruptions and controversies caused by one member inevitably overshadow the efforts of the others and make it difficult for the public to differentiate between individual and collective responsibility.
Councilman Zyan Hickman expressed his frustrations both in his email response and in a public Facebook post. He did not mince words, stating, “Shireman’s actions have not changed. That has been evident since April. And she only shows signs of worsening.” Hickman’s post, which we have included in this article, further called for Shireman’s resignation, labeling her a lame-duck council member who has ceased to represent the interests of Bucyrus citizens.
Hickman also pointed out the broader implications of the incident, noting the impact on public faith: “There was already little trust in the council to start with, but people were hopeful that five new people could positively turn it around. That is now no longer the case.”
Law Director Brandon Gobrecht Emerges as a Leading Voice
Law Director Brandon Gobrecht, whose pointed questions to Shireman during the meeting drew public attention, has been widely viewed as a stabilizing voice amidst the chaos. In his response to Freewire, Gobrecht detailed the procedural steps following Shireman’s self-removal from committees and highlighted the broader need for transparency to rebuild trust.
“Carolyn made the decision to remove herself from ‘all committees,’” he explained, clarifying that her absence will leave eight committee vacancies that must now be filled by the council president. Gobrecht’s remarks underscored the challenges ahead: “The city can help fix this by being as open as possible to the citizenry. We are at a point in society where any misconception quickly snowballs into a conspiracy theory that spreads like wildfire.”
Gobrecht also addressed the importance of maintaining decorum and focus during council meetings, suggesting that the overhaul of council rules could serve as a long-term solution. Reflecting on his own approach to contentious moments, he added, “I have found great success throughout my life by not dignifying schoolyard taunts. The innate desire that some folks have in making sure they get the final word necessarily means that the conversation at hand never ends, and if the conversation never ends, nothing new can begin.”
After last night’s debacle, Gobrecht’s direct confrontation with Shireman — asking whether she was lucid or under the influence — has further elevated his profile in the community. Many now see him as the leading voice calling for ethical accountability within the council.
However, Gobrecht has not been without his critics. Some in the community have expressed frustration with his perceived unwillingness to condemn certain behaviors from other council members, including the council president’s controversial YouTube videos. For these critics, this reluctance diminishes his standing as a neutral arbiter of council conduct.
Shireman’s Response: A Controversial Approach
Councilwoman Shireman’s reaction to Freewire’s inquiries revealed another layer of controversy. In her reply, she accused this publication of harassment and stated, “I AM ASKING YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE. I AM NOT HERE TO GIVE YOU A STORY.” However, what stands out is her admission of preferential treatment from another local media outlet, Crawford County Now, where she implied an ongoing relationship with a reporter she plans to work with exclusively for future stories.
While of course Shireman is free to talk with, or not talk with as it were, any publication she chooses, it speaks to what many in the public believe to be an issue of equal importance to Council’s antics: the unwillingness of the press to accurately cover those antics, especially when they include certain Council members.
Shireman’s use of her Facebook account has also raised significant concerns. Despite using the platform to conduct official city business — such as her call for a boycott of Randy’s Tire — she also engages in personal attacks against constituents, including ad hominem criticisms of their appearance. Furthermore, she blocks members of the public from viewing her posts or interacting with her online. Given that her account functions as an official communication channel, these actions may violate First Amendment rights to free speech, adding a constitutional dimension to the controversy.
Her inclusion of her attorney in email exchanges with Freewire, while ostensibly intended to protect her interests, also comes across as ironic in light of her own potential legal vulnerabilities. By blocking constituents on a platform she uses for government communication, Shireman risks further scrutiny for infringing on citizens’ constitutional rights.
Public Perception
While some council members called for civility and restraint, the broader sentiment among respondents was clear: Shireman’s behavior has become an impediment to the council’s ability to function effectively. Councilman Hickman’s call for her resignation and Councilman Myers’ emphasis on distancing from her actions reflect a growing consensus that the status quo is untenable.
This incident, paired with the increasing viewership of council meeting videos from across the state, highlights a critical juncture for Bucyrus. As the city grapples with the fallout of this latest spectacle, it remains to be seen whether the council can refocus on the work that truly matters to its residents.
Stay tuned to Freewire for continuing coverage of this developing story.
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