Reser says he will not seek reelection as Bucyrus mayor

Jeff Reser announced Friday that he will not seek a third term as Bucyrus' mayor.

"When I was appointed to fill the remaining 18 months of Mayor Roger Moore’s term, I promised the Republican Party that I would complete Roger’s term and run for the office for two terms," Reser said in a statement issued Friday morning. "When I complete my current term at the end of 2023, I will have become one of the longest-serving mayors in the 200-year history of Bucyrus. The time has gone very fast."

Reser, a Bucyrus native, initially was appointed to his office in June 2104, following Moore's sudden death from a heart attack. He was sworn into office on July 1, 2014. In 2015, Reser was elected to his office for the first time.

He was elected to a second term in 2019, fending off three challengers in the Republican primary before facing Ron Bores, a Democrat, and Dan Wirebaugh, an independent, in the November general election.

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"I am thrilled," Reser said after winning election to his second full term with almost 55% of the vote. "I am highly honored and humbled. I'm so happy to have this election behind me."

The city will elect a new mayor in 2023 for a term beginning in January 2024. Reser said he has no intention of stepping down early.

He offered no suggestions as to who should lead the city next.

"I hope the next candidate has the best intentions for the citizens of Bucyrus," he said. "If they have that in their heart, they will be good leaders."

Reser encouraged people to consider running for city offices.

"We are going to need people to step up and run for city council in the future; very important," he said. "If we can get more people to run, that would be great."

Reser credits his team for success

In his statement, Reser said citizens have shown great confidence in his administration.

"That is because we have a top-notch team in place — a team that cares deeply about serving as well as planning for a bright future," he said. "My success as your mayor is due to the people who lead each department as well as our outstanding workforce."

Reser wants a plan in place by end of this year

The mayor also looked ahead to the remaining 14 months of his term in office.

"Bucyrus competes every day for new businesses and residents and it is imperative that we continue to improve our quality of life — to make our town as attractive as it can be," he said. "That is why we have focused on the appearance of our streets and neighborhoods but especially our city parks."

His goal is to work with Bucyrus City Council to ensure the sustainability of city services, Reser said.

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"Additional revenue will be needed to keep the same level of quality that our safety forces and our streets crew provide," Reser said. "City parks operate on a shoestring budget and this must change if we are to attract young families to Bucyrus."

Reser said he has provided options for council members to improve the city's financial outlook, and he and Joyce Schifer — the city's auditor, who has announced she will retire at the end of this year — have asked them to make a decision on a plan by the end of this year.

"Difficult decisions need to be made for the future success of our community," Reser said.

Finances have been biggest challenge

Reser graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1972. He and his wife, Gayle, moved back to the city in 1993 to raise their children, according to previous news articles. He operates the family business, Lee's Comfort Shoes, on South Sandusky Avenue. The family has been in business since 1948.

Reser said his proudest accomplishment in office has been being financially responsible, keeping the city on steady footing.

"The biggest challenge that we've had, as well as the biggest accomplishment, has been to be able to balance the budgets and improve the city in a time of slow growth in tax revenue," he said, crediting Schifer for her work. "I'm not sure people realize how much belt-tightening we've done."

Reser said he and Gayle are grateful for the support they have received.

"We have been honored to lead our hometown — one of Ohio’s premier small towns," he said. "Our administration has worked diligently and will continue to work to make it even better. May God continue to bless Bucyrus."

ggoble@nncogannett.com

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Jeff Reser announces he won't seek another term as Bucyrus mayor