(4-30-24) Small town politics can be very cruel. In a heated Mayor’s primary election in Urichsville this past year the incumbent Mayor Mark Haney lost to current Mayor Jim Zucal.

Uhrichsville is a city in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, United States. The population was 5,272 at the 2020 census.

Zucal, who was a sitting council member, beat first-term incumbent Mayor Haney in the November Democratic primary election 295-143.

After the primary Zucal was asked by the Times Reporter about his win –

“Our team feels that, you know, we took the high road. We stayed high. We never got off the track or focus of winning. We stuck to our key talking points. We kept it clean and respectful.” 

‘Clean and Respectful’ seems to have taken a back seat last week…when Haney’s son was not rehired for a city summer job.

Community Members Ask Questions of Uhrichsville Council

Stephanie Haney was concerned about her teenage son allegedly being discriminated against as he seeks to be rehired at the Uhrichsville Waterpark.

The Water Park opened in June 2008. It has heated pools and features slides, waterfalls, buckets, and a water jungle-gym.

Mayor Zucal  responded by saying-

“if someone doesn’t get hired at the city of Uhrichsville it’s because it’s not in the best interest of the city.”