The Martin Chronicles has posted multiple times that many Villa Hills residents remain oblivious to what is happening in their City Building. It is perfectly understandable. Most people are busy trying to earn a living, raise their families and find a little time for enjoying life. The negative nature of most things “political” turns people off. What did former Cincinnati Bengal’s head coach Sam Wyche famously say after a devastating defeat all those years ago, “There is golf to play and tennis to be served up?”
So then when do people engage? It usually happens when people realize that someone is trying to reach into their wallet. Why not? Keeping up with the demands of life is already expensive enough. Who wants to have less money? This concern is why many people in this tiny community did become engaged last November and defeated the City’s Road Tax proposal by a lop-sided 70-30 margin.
Peoples’ “wallet worry” is precisely why it is now time for residents to begin to start paying better attention to the mushrooming mess at 720 Rogers Road.
· The mayor has mismanaged the police department into more than $150,000 in unnecessary overtime expense resulting in large part from his inexplicable unwillingness to employ enough police officers. Six officers are simply not enough to adequately cover Villa Hills during a time when crime is sharply increasing. That is your money being wasted.
· Sources say that the City is on track to post perhaps as much as $300,000 in excess spending-or deficit-at the end of what is proving to be a miserable fiscal year. This projection does not take into account the City’s looming legal liabilities. Given the noticeable absence of road work and a mild winter, one has to wonder what is going on. That is your money being wasted.
· The mayor’s hostility towards one City employee has provoked a very serious lawsuit. It was easy to see that coming back in 2010. But a majority of voters either didn’t see it coming or chose to ignore it. Now it has happened. Yes, we know the standard line. The City has insurance. But from where do people think the insurance money being spent to defend the City comes? From where will the money come if the City either reaches a settlement with the plaintiff or is hit with a judgment after a trial? The money comes from the taxpayers of course. That is your money being wasted.
· The mayor’s puzzling disregard for the alleged predatory behavior of a councilman has the City on the brink of yet another lawsuit. From where will the money come if the City either reaches a settlement with a potential plaintiff or is hit with yet another judgment after a trial? Once again, the money comes from the taxpayers. That is your money being wasted.
· Think of your own insurance coverage. Your rates are based on your level of risk. There is little doubt that the City’s insurance premiums will continue to increase as more mayoral mismanagement exposes the City, and the taxpayers, to even greater risk. That is your money being wasted.
· A review of the City’s baffling financial reports shows a sharp rise in billings from the City Attorney. No doubt, the attorney has his hands full trying to sort out all the problems cropping up in City government. Who is paying the City Attorney? Well, that money also comes from the taxpayers. That is your money being wasted.
· We have already posted that the decision to send the collection of the $40 per car “sticker tax” to the County Courthouse will lessen collections by giving a free pass to all out-of-state licensed “free roaders” and drivers of company vehicles. Worse yet, County Judge Executive-and Villa Hills resident-Steve Arlinghaus is charging the taxpayers several thousands of dollars to collect the tax. That is your money being wasted.
· Despite the fact that he verbally assaulted the homeowner many months later for causing all of his problems, Mayor Martin approved illegally spending your tax dollars to clean up that homeowner’s private property. That is your money being wasted.
· Councilman Mike Pope once wrote on his now-defunct “alternate reality” City website that the City could operate with “one and a half” clerks if the City stopped collecting the $40 per car “sticker tax” at 720 Rogers Road. Well, the City lets Steve Arlinghaus collect the tax now. Even still, the City employs two full-time clerks and $47.50 per hour clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber. Additionally, Martin plans to hire a third, full-time City Clerk. It would have already happened had council not voted down Martin’s candidate at the February council meeting. That is your money being wasted.
· Mayor Martin used city personnel and resources to print and distribute pro-road tax flyers right before last November’s vote. That is clearly wrong. So wrong in fact that the City’s Ethics Board is strongly rumored to be issuing a confidential reprimand to Martin and Councilman Jim Noll. That is your money being wasted.
· Mayor Martin ordered the construction of a new, expanded concrete parking lot at 720 Rogers Road that cost several thousand dollars. Why? People don’t need to come to the City Building to pay their $40 per car “sticker tax” anymore. What is the point? Additionally, the new parking lot is an unfinished eyesore. That is your money being wasted.
The Martin Chronicles believes the residents need to start asking questions. This should begin happening now. The answers to these questions should not be expected to come from City employees. And, given the way most members of council have been intentionally left in the dark over the ongoing operations of City government, it is not fair to expect them to be able to answer the questions. The answers must come from the man who frequently states he is the “CEO”. The answers should come from the man who has had no problem reminding everyone that all decisions are his. The answers should come from Mayor Martin.
If the answers residents receive are more of the same nonsense and double-talk that we have heard over these past fourteen months, perhaps further action will be required. Enter the Special Counsel.
