The Martin Chronicles would be remiss if it did not do some analysis on some of Mayor Mike Martin’s “unusual” comments captured in the wonderful February 16 cincinnati.com story reporting on the Villa Hills council meeting.
First, the section recounting Martin’s pathetic, unprofessional mismanagement of the police department which has led to the squandering of more than 150,000 taxpayer dollars (the equivalent of 5% of the City’s total annual budget).
How did this happen? Martin said he “would rather spend a little overtime” than hire the eighth police officer that both the Police Chief and the sane members of council have been requesting for more than a year. Despite the explosion of crime, Martin insisted that six officers cover the City for much of the last twelve months.
Despite the disastrous result, Martin still insists in the February 16 article that he will not hire the much-needed eighth officer. Why? Well, he told cincinnati.com that he will not say. Again, why? Because he is afraid “he will forget something important”. Is that a fact? Martin is the CEO. Not hiring the eighth police officer was his decision. He advised everyone to “get over it” because he was “moving on”. Even still, he “might forget something important” in his attempt to explain a decision. Perhaps the City’s insurance company has advised his to shut the (EXPLETIVE) up.
Second, Martin’s comment that he has “only” 2.485 MILLION DOLLARS TO SPEND! This is a joke, right? The wealthy publisher of the Martin Chronicles says he wishes he could say he “only has 2.485 MILLION DOLLAR TO SPEND” tracking down the endless scandals, foul-up, bleeps and blunders that are what we laughingly refer to as the Martin Administration.
Let’s see. It’s February. The City is nearly eight months through its fiscal year. Martin still has $2.485 MILLION to spend out of a $3 MILLION dollar budget. And he can’t find the more than $150,000 in unnecessary overtime he has foolishly squandered? Not surprisingly, Martin makes no sense at all. Look for mindless cuts in services and unnecessary lay-offs of employees that will lead to more costly lawsuits.
We aren’t inclined to throw a lifeline to the drowning mayor. But we guess the taxpayers would appreciate their mayor paying the overtime he has caused before the Department of Labor takes more money out of the City’s hide in the form of fines, penalties and interest.
Lastly, Martin’s bizarre comment that he “understands why people want him to resign”. Is that right? No kidding? Just because, in just fourteen months, the venal, incompetent mayor has turned what was chosen as Northern Kentucky’s “Most Livable City” in 2010 to its “Most Laughable City”?
The scandalous, shameful squandering of more than $150,000 through pathetic mismanagement would be a huge story even in a much larger city. It is truly shocking in a City the size of Villa Hills. No matter the size of the City, reasonable people would of course expect the person responsible for such taxpayer money waste-in this case the "CEO"- to do the right thing and resign.
As a councilman, Martin became infamous for always cloyingly proclaiming he was “elected by the people" to (fill-in-the-blank) before he cast virtually any vote. As mayor, Martin may want to adhere to the same philosophy-do what the people want-and get out while the getting out is still good.
But then, what would our fine staff of reporters do nearly around the clock after Martin departs?
