The Martin Chronicles knows that many people are remembered for things they said at a crossroads moment. When you hear the name Patrick Henry, you think of "Give me liberty, or give me death!" Harry Truman? "The buck stops here." Neil Armstrong? "That's one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind." Reds utility infielder Chico Ruiz? "Bench me or trade me." You get the picture.
Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin may well be remembered for things two other people said. At Thursday's evidentiary hearing regarding Martin's wanton destruction of City documents, the judge emphatically asked, "Why, why, why would anyone think destroying documents in the middle of a lawsuit is a good idea?!?" The Kentucky League of Cities attorney's response? "I don't have an answer, your honor."
We all may look back at Thursday's hearing as perhaps one of those "crossroads moments". This is the first time Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin has had to face a question about an action he took that he will have a tough time blaming on someone else. Not that he won't try.
While she did not go into the court room, there is a reason why Martin's crony-hire, $15 per hour endlessly-temporary City Clerk who handled money while not being bonded was in the building. She may not be all that bright. She may have the personality of a door knob. But she certainly doesn't need a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing.
The fact that Martin did not include a tortuous explanation for his now-infamous January 5 "City records barbecue" in his recent Unahandyman Manifesto is telling. He can't blame that action on the previous administration. He can't hand what he did to a council that won't work with him. He can't point a finger at his former attorney in the mayor's $1.505 MILLION lawsuit against the taxpayers. He can't tell us that a bank teller advised him that it was okay to burn documents in the middle of a lawsuit that was entering the discovery phase. This is all on him. If the dog ate Martin's homework, it is only because he mixed his homework in with Rover's Alpo.
County Boss Steve Arlinghaus may not think contractors really need to get occupational licenses. Civic Club pinheads may think it doesn't matter that Martin was slapped with a "confidential reprimand" by the Villa Hills Ethics Board. The disgraced former chairman of that Ethics Board may be able to slough off the City's budget problems to "infighting". Embittered old tree-huggers may be able to fault Martin's opponent in the 2010 election for exercising his First Amendment rights as the reason for the "infighting". But even these yahoos can't offer up an excuse for Martin's document destruction that will not ring quite hollow.
Previously disengaged residents are beginning to wake up. They see the trouble that Martin is sending their way. They are coming to council meetings. Several even came to Thursday's hearing. The Martin Chronicles hopes a large number come to River Ridge on Monday evening. Despite the fact that Martin never saw fit to post the meeting on his "transparent" City website.
The judge rightfully pointed out that Martin's document destruction has HARMED the residents of the City he was elected to serve. The City's already-precarious position in a serious lawsuit was severely damaged by what will correctly be presented by the plaintiff's attorneys as a brazen attempt to tamper with evidence. Who will get the "invoice" for Martin's reckless actions? The taxpayers of Villa Hills will be stuck with it.
The Kentucky League of Cities attorney's answer was not entirely accurate. You see, there is an answer for why someone would burn City documents in the middle of a lawsuit. But that answer is not a good one.
