Sandusky woos Wobser in hopes he'll stay

SANDUSKY — In a last-ditch effort to sway Sandusky's city manager from leaving, community members showed their sincere appreciation for him. About 25 people participated in a surprise support rally, on Monday afternoon outside City Hall, for Eric Wobser. Blake Harris — a city commissioner, who organized the event with his friend and fellow local resident Spencer Farrar — escorted Wobser outside, where the crowd greeted him. "I was surprised and touched," Wobser said. "If a time ever does come where I leave Sandusky or have an opportunity to leave Sandusky, that is never a decision I would ever take lightly," he added after it ended. "This is a great reminder about why it would be so hard to leave." Wobser is among four finalists vying for a top-level administrative government position with Ann Arbor's city council in Michigan. Wobser attended law school at the University of Michigan. The rally's theme centered on convincing Wobser, credited as Sandusky's quarterback amid its ongoing rejuvenation, to stay put. "I wanted to move from Cleveland and be with my family, but the big hindrance was the condition of Sandusky," said Farrar, who firsthand witnessed Wobser's work as an economic development director in Ohio City. "I saw what Eric did in Cleveland, helping rebuild the area. And when I found out he was coming to (Sandusky), I was like, 'I'm going home. I'll get to see Sandusky rise to its greatest potential.'" Farrar believes Sandusky "isn't quite there yet. "We are making leaps and bounds in this beautiful city," Farrar said. "But there is a lot more work to do, and I would like to see Eric here for that." Harris wholeheartedly agrees. "It's important that people in leadership roles are aware that others do appreciate you and that there are people who will support you," Harris said. "On this beautiful day, we just wanted to take that opportunity to say, 'Hey Eric, we love and appreciate you.'"