The Martin Chronicles has caught wind of a new theory about why Villa Hills Councilman Mike Pope has taken down his “alternate reality” website. This theory doesn’t contradict the view that the author of the recent “Dear Mayor” e-mail we shared took the site down because he is about to be served with a lawsuit. It simply layers another reason on to Pope’s fear of the pending litigation against him.
So why else would Pope suddenly decide to take down his site? Could it be because the councilman’s “man crush” for Mike Martin was in full view for the entire world to see? The site lovingly heaped praise on Martin for his frequent “Haitian vacations” and tried to explain away his now-tossed-out-of-court lawsuit against the taxpayers. Could it be that Pope has finally realized that Martin isn’t really his “dream boat” and that the councilman is scrambling to distance himself from the exploding mayoral mess?
If this theory is accurate, The Martin Chronicles wonders what event caused the flame of Pope’s love to extinguish itself. Which of the towering mountain of screw-ups and scandals finally made Pope decide his affection was misplaced? Could it be that Pope has finally realized that his mentor Mike Martin has been mendacious even to him?
The Martin Chronicles has learned that the one allegation against Martin that Pope has said he could not tolerate was the mayor doing unlicensed electrical work. Could it be that Special Counsel Phil Taliaferro has provided Pope with solid evidence-because it exists-that Martin has indeed been a serial unlicensed electrical worker? Or did Pope do some digging on his own to learn that grim reality?
While such unlicensed work is a serious matter-and grounds for removal from office, why would that be the tipping point for Pope? Why has Pope so ardently defended the mayor’s wanton violations of Kentucky Open Records statutes? Why has Pope tried so desperately to justify Martin’s inexplicable destruction of City records in the midst of a serious lawsuit?
Sometime in the not-too-distant future may be looming a vote to remove Martin from office. Given the most recent news of serious sexual harassment allegations that include witnesses eliminating the “he said-she said” defense, another Martin council ally may be leaving under the cover story of running a campaign for a new job in Frankfort even before that. If so, all eyes will be on Pope. If the evidence against Martin is as damning as sources tell us it is, just how far will Pope be willing to stick out his neck to defend the indefensible?
