You're PROUD Of That?!?!

The Martin Chronicles is biding its time until the release of the Villa Hills' survey results tomorrow. As we have been telling you, we are enjoying the tumult and unhappiness being expressed by the Martinites and others on Facebook. We are guessing that these pinheads are staying indoors posting Facebook messages because its just too darn hot to be running around stealing "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" signs.

There is one Facebook poster who really has us laughing. This person exemplifies one of the major reasons someone as corrupt and incompetent as Mike Martin now sits in the mayor's office. The posts are barely literate, but what they lack in spelling, syntax, grammar and coherence is more than made up for with oh-so-sweet irony.

What does this poster write? Well, in a literal "nutshell", the poster proudly proclaims "I don't support Martin. I don't not support Mike Martin. I didn't even vote."

Well GAAAAAWWWWWLLY, Sarge!

[EDITOR'S NOTE: We are still investigating the resignation of Counciltwit Mike Pope.]

It's The FIRST Amendment For A Reason

The Martin Chronicles continues to enjoy the indefensible indignation being expressed by the Martinites on Facebook. We wonder what these paragons of propriety thought during the days of meto3130, kentoncounty1, skittel and all the various and sundry anonymous bloggers who spent a great deal of LIBELOUS time on cincinnati.com back in their heydey? No comment? We didn't think so.

By the way, The Martin Chronicles DOES know Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin. We know there is a lot more to this little man than trips to Haiti. We know Martin desperately wants to be someone he can never be. We know the only way he can build himself up is by LIBELING, SLANDERING and DEFAMING others. We know he does run an unlicensed electrical and plumbing business. We know he has committed multiple counts of official misconduct. We know he has lied time and time and time again about matters large and small. We know he is in several leagues over his head. No amount of charity work papers over his dishonesty or his incompetence.

Some Martinites showed their true colors by their reaction to the "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" signs. What was that reaction? Well, some decided to go on the private property of others and STEAL the signs. How do we know that? Because some have been caught doing so.

Others simply engage in Facebook whining about the signs. For those of you who would simply prefer to "turn the rock back over", please keep in mind that all of the terrible things that were discovered under that rock are still there and will remain.

These whiners shouldn't worry too much about any negative impact the signs have on the community either. What the heck? People have moved back to Villa Hills from as far away as Washington, District of Columbia.

Vulgar? Disgusting? Guess what? The First Amendment applies to ALL political speech. Not just the speech you agree with. We're moving on. Get over it.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Did Councilschmo Mike Pope stay or did he go?]

Global Warming News And Notes

The Martin Chronicles wonders if the "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" thieves did enlist the services of Spiderman to steal the 4' x 8' banner that was in the large pine trees at the corner of Buttermilk and Western Reserve? The banner is missing. If so, these bandits are very determined First Amendment squelchers. If not, we'll try to learn what happened.

Speaking of signs, our reporters have been unable to locate the alleged large "MARTIN LAWBREAKER!" sign sources advised us of yesterday. A Facebook poster reportedly saw it. We'll spend some more time today trying to track it down. One wag quipped, "Why not just put up a sign that says, 'THE SUN CAME UP TODAY!'?" We agree. It's equally obvious.

Next up, multiple sources say that Villa Hills Councilman Tim Sogar feels as if he was thrown under the proverbial bus at the last council meeting. It appears the three other "pro-even-the-mayor-should-obey-the-law" councilmen knew something that Mr. Sogar was not privy to. Honestly, we can't blame him if he is more than a little hot under the collar. Especially in this weather.

Is the council preparing to prefer charges against Martin in preparation for a removal hearing? If so, we suspect they may want to do it soon. Why? Because the vacuum created by no news is being filled by a steady-and false-drumbeat by Martin and his cohorts that the council spent taxpayer money just to send Special Counsel on that dreaded witch hunt.

Just for the record, we know that isn't the case. There is no witch hunt. Bilious Blowhard County Boss Steve Arlinghaus has always been wrong about that. But people are waiting to see the evidence.

131 days and counting. The clock is ticking. Quickly.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Has Councilmashugana Mike Pope changed his mind about resigning? Yet ANOTHER flip-flop? We continue to investigate.]

MARTIN LAWBREAKER!

The Martin Chronicles is enjoying all of the irate Facebook posts. We think it is worth noting that only first names were mentioned in our little riff about the Civic Club yesterday. We think it is the height of hubris for anyone to automatically assume that they were mentioned. Unless of course you are Slip, Whitey or Sach.

Additionally, we strongly encourage all Facebook posters to proofread your entries before posting them. Nothing makes you look more like a Martin operative than dreadful spelling and grammar.

And now that the issue of anonymity has been raised, have any of the numerous people who have been stealing the "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" signs come forward to take credit? With, of course, the notable exception of those who were caught.

The Martin Chronicles is going to continue to tell the truth. And we will do so in anonymity for now. Why? Because we know what Martin and his cronies are capable of.


We are also working to confirm multiple reports that a 5' x 8' sign simply saying MARTIN LAWBREAKER! has been erected somewhere in Villa Hills. We will follow-up with a full report when we locate the sign.

Finally, we picked up a report on our police scanner earlier today that someone was actually trying to steal the "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" banner at the corner of Buttermilk and Western Reserve. We are trying to track down the name of the licensed professional or the practice they work for. We will keep you posted.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: We are also still unable to confirm the date when madcap Councilman Mike Pope's resignation took effect.]

Our Beef With The Civic Club

The Martin Chronicles wants to make it clear that we hold many Villa Hills Civic Club members in high regard. Some in the leadership work very hard to make the club a community gathering place that bucks the current trend of many locales where residents stay home alone, safely tucked away in their own "cocoons".

But we hear some very troubling things about the Club even today. Some people who have recently joined report that when they walk into the Club, the vine-swingers in the bar stare at them as if they have walked into the middle of an illegal drug deal. It's fair to say that what some have dubbed "Dead Pecker's Row" do not make the Civic Club a welcoming place.

There is of also the undeniable fact that the low-brow members of "Dead Pecker's Row" are a major source of corrupt Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin's dwindling base of support. Many of these troglodytes commiserate with Martin. They want to believe that their complicity in the Civic Club's huge embezzlement scandal is much like Martin's forgery arrest from a few years ago. They want to believe that neither they nor Martin did anything wrong. But that is self-delusion.

When Martin comes in to the Club and, after several beers, launches into his (EXPLETIVE) him, (EXPLETIVE) them, (EXPLETIVE) her, (EXPLETIVE) it, (EXPLETIVE) this, (EXPLETIVE) that, (EXPLETIVE) me routine they chuckle along in the false belief that the entire world has conspired against him, and by extension, them.

But that is malarkey. "Dead Pecker's Row" is almost as corrupt as Mayor Martin. Almost. That gang sat by and did nothing while others nearly put the Club out of business. Some were even part of it. There is a running joke that asks, "Why did (NAME WITHHELD) only take nine cases of beer out of the Civic Club cooler? The punchline? "Because that's all they had." And (NAME WITHHELD) is one of Martin's biggest loudmouth supporters at the Club.

The Martin Chronicles holds Lou, Louie, Louis, Chuck, Chuckles, Charley, Charlie, Charles, Leo, Leon, Leonardo, Anthony, Dee Dee, Dee, Lady Di, Mary, Marie, Antonio, Tony, Fat Tony, Edward, Ed, Eddie, Scot, Scott, Scotty, Scottie, Dilbert, QBert, Filbert, Filibuster, Buster, Busboy, Lurch, Stretch, Greg, Gregg, Gregory, Dell, Della, Duluth, Bennie, Benny, Benny and the Jets, Jet, Lady Suffragette, General Zod, Lex Luthor, Luther, Lute, Jerome, Gerry, Jerry, Spud, Bud, William, Will, Willie, Willy, Bill, Billy, Slip, Whitey, Satch, Bobby, Bobbie, Rob, Bob, Brain, Brain-Dead, Brainiac, Wilma, Betty, Barney, Fred, Robert, Roberto, Gomez, and all the rest of the "Dead Pecker's Row" pinheads in low regard because they are almost as venal as Martin.

These lunkheads are going to serve as loud mouthpieces for the Martinites who are going to try to strip away any opposition to their corrupt pal Mike Martin in the November 6 election. They can be intimidating. Most people cave under the pressure. These people may just buy their BULL(EXPLETIVE).

These wingnuts support the lawbreaker Mike Martin. For any number of wrong-headed reasons. That is exactly our beef with the Civic Club.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: We are still trying to confirm exactly when Councilpsycho Mike Pope's resignation begins.]

You Can't Intimidate Everyone

The Martin Chronicles appreciates courage. Especially when it flies in the face of a phony propaganda effort trying to whitewash the misconduct and illegal business activity of Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin.

There is a long time resident who lives at the corner of Buttermilk Pike and Collins who no one with a shred of honesty could question for her patriotism and community service. We have learned that she grew tired of Martin's thugs stealing "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" signs off her private property.

What has this solid citizen done? She has placed a four foot by eight foot banner in her tall pine trees that reads, "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now." It will be interesting to see what Martin's goose steppers do to take her First Amendment rights away this time. Perhaps they will retain the services of Spiderman.

We know with certainty that the peaceniks and hand-wringers from St. Joke's and elsewhere are going to have their bowels in an uproar over the banner. They will say foolish things and boo-hoo that their sensibilities are offended. Oh, well.

Before these bed-wetting cry-babies get too carried away, there is something they should know. They should know what Martin's henchmen have done.

They didn't steal the sign off the resident's private property one time.
They didn't steal the sign off the resident's private property two times.
They didn't steal the sign off the resident's private property three times.
They didn't steal the sign off the resident's private property four times.
They didn't steal the sign off the resident's private property five times.
They didn't steal the sign off the resident's private property six times.

Martin's operatives stole the sign from the resident's private property SEVEN TIMES!

That total does not include the time Phil and Regina Harmon were caught stealing her sign. The police retrieved the sign from the Harmon's later the same evening. Martin has gone on the record saying the Harmon's didn't steal the sign. Then perhaps The Little Man From Norwood could explain why Phil Harmon admitted it to the police? Perhaps The Little Man from Norwood could also explain why, if the Harmon's didn't take the sign, how it was that it was in their possession? Lies, lies and more lies.

Another individual wearing a ball cap and hoodie was photographed stealing a sign. This thief was too clever by half. His car was also photographed. The police know who he is and plan to have a nice heart-to-heart chat with that thief very soon.

The Martin Chronicles salutes the resident for having the courage to put up her banner. She is defending her rights-and standing up for law and order. Something Mayor Martin completely disregards. For all of the whiners-deal with it. It was her decision. She's moving on.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: If anyone can confirm when Councildolt Mike Pope's resignation from council took effect we would appreciate you letting us know.]

"If It Ain't Broke . . .

The Martin Chronicles knows how most people would finish the statement in the title of this post. Of course the rest of the statement for most people is . . . Don't Fix It!"

Our publisher broke bread with a long time Villa Hills political observer yesterday who quipped that mismanaging Mayor Mike Martin has a slightly different version of that wise old saying. Martin's version goes something like this . . .

"If it ain't broke . . . I can break it!!!"

This pundit is amazed by the reaction of those people who have the "Mayor Martin-We Support You" signs in their yard. Are these people pleased that Martin has taken a City that had been voted the NUMBER ONE CITY in Northern Kentucky roughly two years ago and driven it over the proverbial cliff? More likely, it is simply a matter of blind loyalty. Nothing can be done about that.

More troubling are all the peaceniks and hand-wringers who seem to want to blame anyone but Martin for the mess. Or, simply want to paper over the corruption and incompetence with a few bars of "Michael Row The Boat Ashore". Something can be done about that. It's called laying out the facts, LOUDLY and CLEARLY for people to see. We still hope that happens. Before it is too late.

To get a sense of where the mindset of the Villa Hills populace really is, our publisher has enlisted the assistance of a political science professor from one of our local universities. He has commissioned this professor to use his summer students to do a poll of registered voters in Martin's City to find out what people really think.

We hope to have the survey results for you in one week. It should be interesting.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: We are still trying to confirm when Council-loon Mike Pope's resignation took effect. The only other possibility aside from resignation is that he is simply insane. We must tell you that, to a person, our staff believes that Pope is simply insane.]

Throw The Bums Out?!?!

The Martin Chronicles reads the same things you do. News headlines saying that Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin is facing criminal charges. Absurd cincinnati.com letters to the editor completely devoid of fact mixing the details around Martin's 2007 forgery arrest with his current misconduct and corrupt business practices. But best of all? The mindless battle in the very pointless Facebook.

We have a question and a comment for a fellow who's name calls to mind an expensive kind of sweater. How can you criticize someone else of allegedly using a fake name when you tell everyone on Facebook that you live in "Washington, District of Columbia"? And if you do live in "Washington, District of Columbia", we respectfully suggest you fixate on your own mayor, Vincent Gray.

Then there are the posts that call council "grudge holders" and suggest wiping the slate clean. Here is the problem with that "St. Joe's" mentality. Martin has committed misconduct. Martin is running an illegal contracting business. The facts have been presented.

Take the "St. Joe's" approach. Vote everyone-including Mike Pope-out. Then what have you done? You have given the lawbreaking Martin a free hand to run wild for another two years. Frankly, that is worse than pathetic. Perhaps it should  be called "St. Joke's".

Would you be prouder of your council if they turned a blind eye to corruption and criminality? It's not about whether you do or don't support Martin. It is about whether or not you support the law. The majority on council certainly does.

The Martin Chronicles completely understands "Martin fatigue". We didn't launch this blog until eight months of Martin's "Reign of Error" had gone by. Since October 8, 2011, we have caught Martin in lie after lie after lie after lie. We have uncovered many, many examples of misconduct. We discovered the evidence of Martin's illegal business practices before the Special Counsel did.

We don't care even a little bit what Martin's venal cronies from that dungheap called a Civic Club say. They are just like Martin. And we part ways with the Martin apologists like "sweater boy" and the "throw-the-bums out in 136 days" crowd from St Joke's and elsewhere when it comes to the true solution to the problem.

The majority of city council doesn't need to go. They were there-and serving the people of Villa Hills extremely well-before Martin arrived on the scene. The only one who truly needs to go is the Little Man From Norwood.

Looking In To Our Crystal Ball

The Martin Chronicles is still checking into whether or not-allegedly former-Villa Hills Councilman Mike Pope followed through on one of his purported positions for once. Because if he has, he is no longer a member of the city council.

We are also still checking into whether or not the rest of the city council who surrendered several hours of their lives last night preparing the inept Mike Martin's budget for him did indeed move to publish an expensive line-item budget. Why is that important? Because if they didn't, the incompetent Martin will be able to squander taxpayer money in any maladroit way he chooses. Given the mess he made of the City's finances over the last fiscal year, isn't that a comforting thought.

We are also exploring the seemingly messy situation with plans for a removal hearing for the corrupt Martin. There was a lengthy, heated discussion-mostly amongst the "good guys"- last night about the proper process for moving forward with such a hearing. We aren't sure if anything is happening beyond that.

It appears that some of the common-sense members of council feel that they are hamstrung over whether moving forward jeopardizes the City's position in a very serious lawsuit that has been filed against the Martin and the City. The Martin Chronicles doesn't really understand that concern.

The matter of Martin's document burn has already been addressed in court. And, Martin has already received a stinging judicial rebuke for his wanton act of lawlessness. Besides, his subsequent attempt at covering up his malfeasance is the real case for misconduct. How much worse could the City's position be if an attempt to put the truth before a currently sleepy populace is pushed ahead?

We already know that there is a witness who is more than prepared to say that Martin gave him the order to proceed with the document burn. That under-cuts any defense trying to blame the entire mess on MARY HARDMAN. Whether she wants to fall on her sword or not.

We also know that Martin was in his office on January 6 with MARY HARDMAN and the endlessly interim City Clerk, on a conference call for the purpose of creating a falsified document that Martin hoped would provide the necessary cover-up. There is a witness prepared to testify to that as well. That part of Martin's misconduct has little if anything to do with any lawsuit.

So who cares if the requisite 6-0 vote for removal isn't achieved? Jim Noll is gone. In point of fact, he was never there. And Mike Pope? Nuff said. The objective of a removal hearing is to get the truth of Martin's rampant misconduct and corruption before the drowsy public. If that doesn't happen, look out.

If council does nothing it creates a political void that will quickly be filled by Martin and his dwindling hillbillly lynchmob. As we say time and again, inaction will allow this calumnious clan to say that Martin has been unfairly persecuted. He will once again falsely say he has done nothing wrong. He will once again falsely say that he is being set-up by law enforcement and a group on council who just don't want to work with him.

We can see Election Day, and the ramp-up to it, now. Election booths on several street corners manned by Martin lynchmob fatties passing out bogus literature. Martin telling lies all over town. Wrong-headed railroad engineers wearing "Cat In The Hat" paraphrenalia passing out "Mayor Martin, We Support You" signs to inattentive residents. Facebook loons who lie about living in Washington DC posting dreadful propagnda.That venomous snakepit hilariously called a Civic Club spewing lie after lie after lie after lie. In effect, a repeat of Martin's successful 2010 dirtbag mayoral campaign. It worked then. It may very well work now.

If council remains vapor-locked in what they incorrectly perceive as "responsible behavior", disaster looms just 137 days from today.

Some Thoughts On Last Night

The Martin Chronicles has the utmost respect for Villa Hills' Councilmembers Sogar, Ringo, Bruns and Kilburn. While we don't always agree with them, we understand that they have given thought to their positions and believe they are doing what is best for the City. That is all you can ask.

We just aren't clear about why they decided to do Mayor Mike Martin's work for him. The mayor of any City is required by law to prepare and present a budget to council annually. Martin began the process of ramming his mish-mash of a budget through about two weeks ago.

Last night the majority of council called out Martin's budget for the con game that it was. All well and good. But then they proceeded to waste several hours of their life constructing a budget of their own. Here is where we begin to part ways. Why? Because unless council publishes each line of the budget-a very expensive proposition-Martin remains free to spend the money however he wants.

Does anyone on council think that passing a budget is going to change anything? While we hope that if they do believe that they are indeed correct, we simply aren't so sure.

The Martin Chronicles fully expects a slate of "Mayor Martin, We Support You" candidates to file to run for council by the August deadline. They will spin a false tale of how Martin is being persecuted because the majority of council is sore over the results of the 2010 election. They will say Martin has done nothing wrong.

Martin and what remains of his hillbilly lynch mob will be out campaigning for this group of venal crony-wannabees. It will be a replay of his own 2010 dirtbag campaign. He'll repeat all of the lies he first told in his Unahandyman Manifesto. And the pinheads from that over-flowing septic tank laughingly called a Civic Club will be right in the thick of it as well. If the results of 2010 mean anything, this effort will probably be successful.

There will also be others who run. They will represent the "throw the bums out" school of thought who want to elect a bunch of conflict-averse candidates who will simply "make nice". This effort will also probably bear fruit.

The result? The odds are increasing that Martin will be surrounded by a majority of sycophants and sissies come January 1, 2013. The next two years will be full of unchecked fumbling stumble-bumming and corruption.

You Go First

The Martin Chronicles is preparing analysis of last night's council meeting, which was described as "a comedy show" by one long-time observer.

As reported, Pope expressed his intention to resign. But he attached a crazy condition-there's a shocker. He wants everyone to resign. Great idea. If you're insane.

Our respectful suggestion? Go ahead Mr. Pope. Make our day.

NEWS FLASH: Pope To Resign Tonight?

The Martin Chronicles has confirmed that loony Villa Hills Councilman Mike Pope has placed one of the smarmy "Villa Hills Council Please Resign Now" signs in his front yard. The consensus? Mike Pope will be announcing his resignation from city council at tonight's monthly meeting.

In an odd way, we will miss Mike Pope. His antics have been highly entertaining. Now who will turn minutes into hours at council meetings by asking pointless question after pointless question after pointless question? Who will foul-up the City's finances? Oh, that's right. Crony-hire, $47.50 per hour clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber is still around. At least for now.

Hey, look on the bright side. Maybe now Pope will get back in the "alternate-reality" website business. He can now write about a Villa Hills' crime wave-that Martin has caused by decimating the police department. He can now tell harrowing tales of secret meetings-that Pope himself presided over. Pope can now rail against the $40 PER CAR UNFAIR STICKER TAX-that Pope himself voted to continue. Pope can pen horror stories about out-of-control spending-that he fully supported. Won't it be great?!?!?

Our publisher isn't convinced. He thinks this is just another crazy move by the highly eristic Pope. For all of you blockheads at the Civic Club who don't have a clue what eristic means, "From the Greek word Eris, meaning wrangle or strife. Given to or characterized by disputatious, often specious, argument".

For the meaning of any other words you are on your own.

Budget Baloney

The Martin Chronicles has talked to several sources about tonight's council meeting. It will most likely be another lengthy set piece of fear and loathing. It almost always is. We can also already confidently predict that whatever happens will be spun by the dense drones from the Civic Club, St. Joe's and the rest of the mindless Martinites as "infighting", "bickering", "groinpulling", "wrangling", "(EXPLETIVE)busting", "squabbling", "backbiting", "shinkicking", "gutpunching", "mouthsmashing", "politics", "grandstanding", "blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah", "yada-yada-yada".

There will be plenty of time for those pinheads' standard, nonsensical hooey. What we want to know is what in the wide, wide world of sports is going on with Martin's new budget proposal? Even in a town as torn asunder as Villa Hills, the majority of residents should want to know how their "CEO" plans to dispense with the tax dollars he is collecting from them. You can't know too much right now. No discussion of Martin's budget has ever been televised. All we know is he has been busily "tweaking" now for months. In fact, Martin didn't start the process of trying to ram his mysterious budget through until about ten days ago.

We have learned that council offered several proposals and attempts at compromise to "The Little Man From Norwood" at the recent caucus meeting. Despite what the previously-mentioned gaggle of hand-wringing nitwits will tell you, council is trying to work with the little fella to actually pass a City budget for the first time in two years.

We have also learned that, at our publication deadline, Martin has yet to reply to councils' suggestions. Oh, well. It makes for great television, if nothing else.

Council Meeting Tomorrow Night

The Martin Chronicles just took a glancing look in the rear view mirror. The ho-hum City Fiftieth Birthday Party is disappearing into the dusty distance. That mess has been cleaned up. There is another-much, much larger-mess still to be dealt with.

Sources have been telling us that City Council is working to schedule a removal hearing for Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin. The common sense majority on that council have had enough of the misconduct, criminal activity and incompetent mismanagement that has been the hallmark of Martin's "Reign Of Error".

A judge lambasted Martin for doing great harm to the Villa Hills residents by his illegal January 5 records barbecue on April 26. His destruction of City records and subsequent cover-up is a big deal. State statute says it could be a CLASS D FELONY. It is far more than "burning some papers".

It is time for Martin to answer questions about that egregious bit of misconduct. Special Counsel laid out proof of many more examples of Martin's misconduct and criminal activity on April 30. Martin callously explained he was not given the opportunity to explain his misdeeds to Special Counsel's "company". If that was all it took to clear everything up, why has Martin declined every opportunity to talk to Special Counsel ever since. The time has well since past for Martin to be held accountable.

The hillbilly lynch mob, peaceniks, Civic Club dipweeds, St. Joe's holier-than-thou's and crazy Facebook posters can say whatever they want. Let them defend corruption. Let them explain away the misconduct. Let them trivialize criminal activity. Let them disregard Martin's countless lies. Let them support Martin's non-stop LIBEL, SLANDER and DEFAMATION. Council needs to move ahead.

The Martin Chronicles believes that all of the evidence should be laid out. If now-State Senate candidate Jim Noll or Martin sycophant Mike Pope wants to vote against removal, let them explain "WHY" they think Martin's misconduct and criminal activity is okay to the residents of Villa Hills.

And they will certainly get the opportunity to do so.

MONDAY COMMENTARY: Back To Reality

The Martin Chronicles says farewell to Villa Hills' fiftieth birthday party. It was just one day-and now it is quickly disappearing in the rear view mirror. It's time for our reporters to get back to the work of chasing down leads on what is really important.

We are hearing rumors from several corners that a push is underway to schedule a removal hearing for Mayor Mike Martin. Despite the PR stunts and trumped-up demonstrations of support, the majority of council seems to clearly understand that they are the ones who must decide whether or not Martin will be removed from office.

If one was to base their estimation of public opinion on spectacles and sideshows, it would have been fair to conclude that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker was going to lose his recent recall election in an epic landslide. Instead, Walker won handily. Most voters told pollsters that they believed the only reason elected officials should be removed from office is misconduct.  

The Martin Chronicles believes the majority of Villa Hills residents think the same thing. Setting aside the Civic Club morons, peaceniks, St. Joe's jerks and Facebook nut jobs, of course.

If a hearing is held, council will base their decision solely on evidence of Martin's misconduct. That is the way it should be.

Mike Martin. Mr. Truth and Integrity. What a joke.

Happy Father's Day!

The Martin Chronicles wishes all the dads out there a very happy Father's Day. While our publisher is very pleased with everyone's work covering the corruption and mismanagement of Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin's "Reign of Error", he'll be the first to tell you that being a dad is the very best job he has ever had.

A few observations from yesterday's City Birthday party. And we are going to be as nice as we can be.

First, we thought it was hilarious that the Villa Hills Public Works crew decided to drive the infamous backhoe-of safe crushing fame-in the parade. It was that large vehicle that was used in lieu of a locksmith or asking someone for the combination to the safe that led to one of the unanimous reprimands Martin received at the last council meeting. That first command decision by the little man from Norwood certainly set the stage for all the mayhem that has followed.

Second, Martin's hillbilly lynch mob was fairly restrained. We think we know why. More on that in upcoming posts.

Third, with as much respect as we can muster, the parade was a bit underwhelming. It was the City's 50th birthday shindig after all. If you blinked a couple of times you just might have missed it. There is a joke that begs to be told here. But again, we are trying to be as nice as we can be.

Fourth, we guess that the heat and humidity is what kept the attendance so low throughout the day.

Fifth, we wonder why many of the booths were unmanned much of the day.

Sixth, several people thought it was hilarious that there were only two rides available for the kids. One of the rides wasn't operating much of the day. As one frustrated English grammarian who brought his children to enjoy the rides observed, "We'll at least Martin wasn't lying when he said rides. If you have more than one ride it is perfectly fair to use the plural"! He said this moments before he gathered his brood and left in disgust.

Seventh, a nice fireworks display. One wag quipped, "we already knew Martin was good with fire". Indeed.

Let's leave it at this. The little fella  gave it his best effort. We'll leave it to others to decide if it was "shoddy at best".

Once again, Happy Father's Day!

Saturday In The Park

The Martin Chronicles says have a fun day everybody. No matter where you will be spending the day.

And don't worry, the storm isn't arriving today. The "heavy stuff" will hold off until tomorrow.

We just hope the pinheads know we will be watching.

Tomorrow Never Knows

Villa Hills is celebrating its fiftieth birthday tomorrow. Parades, rides, skirt games, fireworks. Yes, we know. The actual incorporation date is June 9, 1962. Hey, you gotta go with what you got. Or maybe just don't go at all.

Our prediction for tomorrow. Partly sunny and a high near 90 degrees. Oh, yes. Probably a few shameless public relations stunts as well. Hand-wringers wishing all of the problems would just go away. Screw balls inexplicably blaming Martin's misconduct on city council. Martinites saying that all of the turmoil is the result of the 2010 election outcome-looking past all of Martin's misconduct and criminal activity.

But when the party ends-nothing will have changed. After the dust settles and the mess is cleared away, there will still be another ever-growing mess waiting to be cleaned up.

We will probably see the Piltdown Men and Women from that rat's nest called a Civic Club continue to billow out a reeking green fog about what a victim Martin is. The reality? Martin is dishonest little fellow who is only a victim of his own corruption.

We will probably continue to read nimrods post clueless comments on Facebook about a judge "already clearing Martin of everything". Hello, is there anybody in there? You are writing-incorrectly-about Martin's forgery. That was many, many Martin scandals ago.

We will probably learn of more septuagenarian do-gooders who have lied to investigators all in the name of peace. Disgraceful. But it is Mike Martin's Villa Hills, after all.

We will probably see more dense dolts and knuckle-dragging hillbillies make fools of themselves at upcoming council meetings trying to defend the malfeasant mayor. That won't change one (EXPLETIVE) thing either.

The resolution will remain an open question with many twists and turns still to come. We may not see the first real indicator of which way Villa Hills is heading until the early days of August when we see how the race card fills out for the looming council election on November 6.

Let's hope tomorrow is a good day for everyone anyway. No matter where they choose to be.

Violating His Oath?

The Martin Chronicles suggests you check out Section 228 of Kentucky's Constitution. There you will find the oath of office Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin took on December 15, 2010.

It begins, "I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth, and be faithful and true to the Commonwealth of Kentucky so long as I continue a citizen therof, and that I will faithfully execute, to the best of my ability, the office of mayor according to law". Can Martin honestly say he has kept his oath?

How can Martin say with a straight face that he has been "faithful and true to the Commonwealth of Kentucky" when he brazenly operates an unlicensed electrical, plumbing and commercial business? You see, State statutes require that anyone doing electrical, plumbing or commercial work have the proper licenses. Martin does not have those licenses. If Martin is not faithful to the Commonwealth's laws, a reasonable person can think it is therefore impossible for him to make the claim that he is faithful to the Commonwealth itself.

Martin wantonly destroyed City records on January 5-and he can blame it on MARY HARDMAN all he wants. But when the Public Works Director contacted Martin about the records barbecue, Martin gave the order to continue and assumed full responsibility. That action is potentially a Class D Felony. For all you pinheaded Civic Clubbers-Class D Felonies are generally not in accordance with the law.

Martin participated in a cover-up of his document destruction the very next day. Martin was joined by MARY HARDMAN and the interim City Clerk as they sat in on a conference call with an attorney trying to piece together a falsified document in a ham-handed attempt to extricate themselves from the jam they were-and still are-in. "According to the law"? Not hardly.

How will Martin explain the January 3 date on the falsified document when it wasn't created until January 6? Time travel perhaps? And act of his god? Or more likely, a continuation of the misconduct. The public has the right to hear his explanation. Some will say it doesn't matter. They are fools.

We suspect the "We Support You" crowd won't care that Martin lied to council twice when he was asked if the trumped up document he provided them falsely listing what records were destroyed. The council is picking on him, after all. Those guys actually expect Martin to obey the law and adhere to his oath.

We sincerely hope Villa Hills has a great 50th birthday party. Enjoy it while you can. Because if the majority of its residents now believe that their mayor is above the law-the city's days are numbered.

40,000 And Counting

The Martin Chronicles wishes Villa Hills a happy fiftieth birthday. Despite all of division, scandal and turmoil, that is quite a milestone. Things are bound to get better sooner or later. They always do.

Speaking of milestones, The Martin Chronicles will host unique visitor 40,000 very early today. We are very pleased about the rapid growth of our audience. Believe it or not, we wish we didn't have to report on the dreadful mismanagement and misconduct of Mayor Mike Martin.

But we do. Because you want us to.

So Now Laws Don't Matter?

The Martin Chronicles is truly enjoying the "sign wars" currently underway in Mayor Mike Martin's scandal-plagued Villa Hills. The latest? More money has been wasted printing signs that say, "Villa Hills Council, Please Resign Now". Simply because the majority of council is deeply concerned about the misconduct of the mayor? But what else would you expect from the Martinites?

Council members talked to Martin about rumors of his unlicensed business even before Martin called his very first meeting to order. Martin lied to them. Council members asked Martin to confirm that the list of documents destroyed on January 5 was complete. Once again, Martin lied to them. How does a reasonable person conclude that it is council not working with Martin when the mayor lies to them time and time and time again? It is nonsensical. But the "We Support You" signs indicate that a segment of the population buys that nonsense.

The Martinites do have a distinct advantage in this "sign war". Why? Because Martinites have shown no reluctance to steal the signs asking Martin to resign. In fact, it appears they are quite enthusiastic about it. That is the Martin way, after all. If all else fails-throw enough muck against the wall hoping something will stick. That has carried the little man from Norwood quite a long way.

We are wondering if the Martinites plan to politicize the City's Fiftieth Birthday Bash this Saturday as well. Will we see Martin's hillbilly lynch mob lining the parade route carrying placards and shouting their undying support for the corrupt CEO? For the purposes of full disclosure, we certainly hope so.

No jury-rigged show of support can change the fact that Martin is running an illegal business and has committed multiple counts of official misconduct. Martin will still be operating a "shoddy at best", illegal business without the proper licenses. No documents will be "unburned". No falsified documents about the destroyed records will suddenly become true. No $47.50 per hour clerk/bookkeepers will suddenly not be crony-hires. None of the SLANDER, LIBEL and DEFAMATION Martin and his co-defendant Dale Schaber are being sued for will magically become true. Martin will still have misused City resources and personnel and then lied about doing so. The list of Martin's lies and corruption is quite long.

Some people are actually publicly saying that what Martin has done does not impact the residents. First of all, if people think that a corrupt mayor who has time and again proven himself to be a stranger to the truth doesn't impact them that is an alarming proposition. Secondly, a lawsuit was filed very recently that clearly states that Martin's January 5 document destruction should be a major factor in his case. Martin's total disregard for the laws surrounding records retention and destruction will be an issue forevermore.

Even if the hillbillies and ne'er-do-wells successfully dupe the voters (once again) and the four solid council members are sent packing on November 6-Martin won't be any less of a liar.

Ready Or Not, Here It Comes

The Martin Chronicles is convinced that if the majority of city council sits on the mountain of evidence of misconduct by Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin, the voters will buy into the "infighting" and "bickering" malarkey and punish them at the polls in a mere 148 days. You can already see Martin's strategy taking shape.

Martin's list of excuses we laughingly refer to as his Unahandyman Manifesto paints a mildly compelling, but totally false, picture of all of the challenges he "has had to endure an overcome". In Martin's imaginary world, he has done no wrong. He wasn't even left a Post-IT Note or paper clip. He was strapped with the awesome burden of a Civil Service Commission. He was faced with a council bitter about the results of the last election. Compelling, yes. But a total lie.

Martin's co-defendant Dale Schaber is supposedly recruiting fifteen candidates to run in a Banzai charge against the incumbents. Schaber (and Martin's) real intention? To muddy the waters just enough to get at least three of their fellow venal pinheads elected to make the little man from Norwood bullet proof. If council doesn't act, it may very well work.

You see, Martin has spent much of his life re-writing history. Remember all of his lies. He didn't know he was commiting forgery then, but he knows it now. The bank teller told him to do it. He was a do-gooder, good-government zealot victimized by a massive conspiracy. He was happy to tell the taxpayers he wasn't suing them, but he was. He wasn't operating a criminal business without proper electrical, plumbing and commercial licenses, but he was. The only computers he removed from the City Building after-hours were in storage, but they weren't. He found $30,000. He had no idea who placed the "Pro-Road Tax" flyer in the Voice of Villa Hills. He didn't order the destruction of City records on January 5, but he did. The list of Martin lies goes on and on and on and on.

Still, he might convince a sleeping populace once again that he is an innocent victim. And they could reward him with a council majority that would allow him to do whatever he wants to do.

For those of you who doubt what we say, you do so at your own risk. If you don't think Martin and whatever remains of his hillbilly lynch mob won't be going door-to-door campaigning for their cronies, you're fooling yourself. You'll hear Civic Club cronies talking about the money council wasted investigating Martin. And you will hear all of the venal pinheads from the Civic Club whining about the need to give Martin a council who will allow him to "show what he can really do". A pretty picture.

If you doubt that, look at the signs in people's yards gushingly saying they support "Mayor Martin". Despite the fact that there is solid evidence that Martin is guilty on several counts of official misconduct and the undeniable fact that he has been brazenly operating an illegal business for several years. While his support has undeniably eroded, those that remain are almost fanatical.

The council needs to hold a removal hearing. They need to make Martin answer for everything. The best case for misconduct? Martin's wanton destruction of City records and his after-the-fact, criminal cover-up. But there are several more examples of Martin's complete disregard for the law.

Council needs to stop worrying about the St. Joe's jerks and the Civic Club crooks. Stop caring what the disgraced former chairman of the Ethics Board says. Stop fretting about the hand-wringers and peaceniks. Stop worrying about the drowsy populace. Don't stall because Pope and Noll may not vote for removal. Let those two go on the record in support of glaring misconduct. Move forward with a good-faith attempt clean up Martin's mess.

If the council sits back, overly cautious about law suit implications or how Pope and Noll will vote, they will be playing right into Martin's hands. That will be a huge mistake with serious consequences.

SUNDAY COMMENTARY: Something Martin Will Never Have

The Martin Chronicles really does understand. It has got to be tough on the decent majority of Villa Hills City Council. Dealing with loons like Mike Pope, dipsomaniacs like Jim Noll and, worst of all, incompetent crooks like Mike Martin has got to take a terrible toll.

Then you have the likes of Janet Martin, Ken Kennedy, Mary Koenig, MARY HARDMAN, and all the rest of the hillbilly lynch mob from that rats' nest known as the Civic Club and the "all show and no go", sanctimonious, holier-than-thou louts from the St. Joe's Heavy Drinking Men's Society to contend with.

What do these corrupt pinheads plan to do? They hope to convince a sleepy public that Martin is a victim of a majority on council who are wasting taxpayer money to undo the results of the 2010 mayor's race. The lies worked for Martin in 2010. So why not run the same play?

Add to that all of the basically decent people who complain bitterly about the mess Martin is making, but run like scared rabbits whenever they are asked to help. As one wise man recently said, "A lot of people love to whine. But there is no traction and no action."

Scott Ringo, George Bruns, Greg Kilburn and Tim Sogar have something that Martin will never have. In fact, judging by Martin's actions, we don't think the little fella even wants it. What is it we are talking about? It's really quite simple Ringo, Bruns, Kilburn and Sogar HAVE THE TRUTH ON THEIR SIDE.

Even if all of the venal, mindless Martinites, clueless cranks, judgmental jugheads and knuckle-dragging ne'er-do-wells that currently infest Villa Hills decide to "clean house" on November 6, they will not be able to take THE TRUTH away from those four men.

Because you see, Martin is incredibly dishonest. Making matters worse, Martin is hopelessly incompetent. No matter how many yard signs Phil Harmon and the rest of Martin's cronies steal, they can never change those TRUTHS.

TOMORROW'S TEASE: Something Martin Will NEVER Have

The Martin Chronicles sees the very small smattering of stupid signs. We know the counter-offensive of calumny has begun. Our sources even tell us that some Martinite lunatic was standing at the intersection of Buttermilk and Rogers waving silly signs on Friday.

We respectfully suggest you dial up the Old MC tomorrow to learn what we are certain Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin will never have on his side.

Rabbit Ears

The Martin Chronicles has to make an admission. Unlike Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin-we are more than happy to fess up. This has been so much fun we almost feel guilty about it. Almost.

Whether its Janet Martin's sister wearing her "witch hunt hat", $47.50 per hour, crony-hire, clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber SHOCKING THE WORLD by writing a letter-to-the editor in support of the little fella who hooked her up to the taxpayer-funded feed bag or the crazy guy in the intersection of Buttermilk and Rogers waving signs, it's sure been something to see! In the Martinite world, it's "all hands on the slippery deck"! And The Martin Chronicles is loving every last minute of it.

We have to admit we got a huge belly laugh out of the pathetic response to our gigging about the home-made "Support Mayor Martin" signs that were jury-rigged and distributed  to a very few spots around town in support of the "Misconductor-in-Chief". You know, the ones in thin-skinned response to the very polite "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" signs that the dwindling number of Martinites keep stealing?

Now these poor scallywags have rushed out and spent good money on some real nice, red, white and blue "Mayor Martin, WE SUPPORT YOU!" signs. Nice try. Pretty funny. You gave it the old kindergarten try. You would probably be better off starting a legal defense fund though.

For whoever was foolish enough to waste a whole lot of hard-earned money on those signs, we'd like to say we are truly sorry. But we can't. We are too busy laughing our (EXPLETIVES) off.

Poor Martin. He sure likes dishing out the lies. But he doesn't seem to be able to handle the truth. While we are disinclined to offer any advice to the little man from Norwood, we think it was a huge mistake for him to reveal his rabbit ears.

Isn't this fun?

Riddle Me This

The Martin Chronicles continues to get a chuckle everytime we re-read Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin's mendacious Unahandyman Manifesto. A real piece of work by a real piece of (EXPLETIVE) - or perhaps some slightly more literate piece of (EXPLETIVE) ghost writer.

The Unahandyman Manifesto is a treasure trove of Martin's pathetic self-pity. He has "endured and overcome tremendous obstacles"? Is that a fact? You don't say? We guess in a twisted way it is quite a challenge to totally (EXPLETIVE) up a City that was rated the best in Northern Kentucky in a little more than seventeen dreadful months.

The Martin Chronicles has a few questions for the peaceniks, the hand-wringers, the sanctimonious-holier-than-thou members of the St. Joe's Heavy Drinking Men's Society, the Liberty Leaguers, the Tea Partiers, the home schoolers, the holy rollers, the yard sign stealers, the cat-haters, the embittered old tree huggers, the "Jeeves, be a good man and pull the Bentley around" raised pinky Chablis and Brie set, the disgraced former Ethics Board chairman, the grizzled old clueless cranks, MARY HARDMAN, and our favorite nitwits and ne'er-do-wells from that clip joint known as the Villa Hills Civic Club. Especially General Zod, Tony, Timmy, Tammy, Eddie, Teddy, Freddie, Leo, Larry, Lefty, Lucky, Bennie, Barney, Barry, Bobby, Billy, Denny, Donnie, Danny, Dale, Dick, Dee Dee, Gary, Gomez, Fang, Curtis, Courtis, Kurt, Chuck, Charly, Charley, Charlie, Charles, Joe, Joey, Jim, Jimmy, Jimbo, Jamie, James, J.J., Slip, Whitey, Chuck, Split Rail, Sabre Tooth, Swamp Rat and Scratchy the Wonder Chimp.

First, the set-up. For all of the past seventeen months The City of Villa Hills has been down two budgeted-for, full-time employees (the City Clerk and a police officer). For eight of the past seventeen months Villa Hills has been down a third budgeted-for, full-time employee (the seventh police officer). Additionally, Martin claims to have saved $15,000 by firing the City's accountant. Wait, there is more. Martin also claims he "found" $30,000. Here's your bonus-Martin claims his $47.50 per hour, crony-hire, clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber "found" yet another $30,000.

We know some of you may be a little shaky at math. Especially you Civic Club pinheads who somehow missed the fact that hundreds of thousands of dollars were being embezzled from your little lodge. So, we'll add it up for you.

Annual cost of two full-time employees (including benefits and retirement): $130,000
Eight months of one full-time employee: $43,000
Savings resulting from firing accountant: $15,000
The money Martin claims to have found: $30,000
The money Martin claims Cordelia Schaber found: $30,000
That adds up to: $248,000

If you have been reading the Martin Chronicles for any length of time, you also know that Martin has been desperately trying to save his wife's house(?) by coercing the council into passing a $125,000 amendment to cover a $125,000 budget shortfall.

So, it appears that, by Martin's very own version of events, there has been a negative budget swing of at least $373,000!!!!

Now, here is the first question -

What the (EXPLETIVE) did Martin do with all of your taxpayer dollars?

What say you?

Inquiring Minds

The Martin Chronicles is wondering about several "loose ends" and open questions. We'll be getting back to our series-"The Origin Of The Species"-very soon.

• Has Martin asked for Civil Service Board member Phil Harmon's resignation yet? Harmon was caught stealing yard signs after all. But then rampant lawlessness is not that uncommon in Villa Hills these days.
• Has Martin apologized to the council members he lied to back in January 2011 about having the proper electrical, plumbing and commercial contracting licenses?
• Has Martin met with Special Counsel Phil Taliaferro yet? After the Special Counsel's April 30 presentation Martin lamented that he hadn't been given the chance to meet with Mr. Taliaferro's "company". Oh wait, we learned that Martin was lying about that at the May council meeting.
• Didn't Martin say that the entire cost of his big June 16 party was paid for by "sponsors"? If so, why were Mike and Janet Martin and a smattering of hapless volunteers shaking motorists down for money at the corner of Rogers and Buttermilk on Saturday, June 2?
• While we are on the subject of Martin's big party on June 16-how is it that Martin put crony-hire, unprecedentedly-paid $15 per hour, temporary clerk MARY HARDMAN in charge of planning his soiree if MARY HARDMAN was stupid enough to order the burning of City records on January 5? Is Martin an idiot? Oh, wait. Never mind.
• Continuing on Martin's big June 16 party-we certainly hope we get to hear a speech from that bilious blowhard County Boss Steve Arlinghaus. You just know how profound that will be. 
• When was the last time Martin performed his "(EXPLETIVE) him! (EXPLETIVE) her! (EXPLETIVE) them! (EXPLETIVE) that! (EXPLETIVE) me! (EXPLETIVE) it!" routine for the amusement of the armpit-scratching ne'er-do-wells at the Civic Club bar?
• When was the last time Martin claimed he found $30,000? 
• When was the last time Martin went to Haiti?
• When was the last time Martin was president of the Villa Hills Civic Club Golf League?
• When was the last time Martin was president of the Villa Hills Historical Society?
• When was the last time Martin was president of the Erlanger Lions?
• When was the last time Martin was president of The Brotherhood Of Unlicensed Illegal Contractors (UIC) Local Number 666?
• When was the last time a private detective photographed Martin on Tony's roof?
• When was the last time a private detective photographed Martin slipping Tony a roofie?
• When was the last time Martin saw a five-sided octagon?
• When was the last time Martin saw a Pentapus with eight tentacles?
• When was the last time Martin failed to locate any Post-IT Notes or paper clips?
• When was the last time Martin got a price from a locksmith?
• When was the last time Martin falsified a document in a ham-handed attempt to cover his official misconduct?
• When was the last time Martin filed a false police report?
• When was the last time Martin filed a bogus complaint with the Better Business Bureau?
• When was the last time Martin ignored complaints from an employee that Councilman Jim Noll was sexually harassing her?
• Has Martin promised to pour taxpayer money into the swamp land bordering Mary Koenig's property yet? You know, that spongy piece of sod known as Harry Rigney Park.  
• Is Mike Pope finally planning to make a motion to repeal Greg Kilburn's UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX at the June 20 City Council meeting? What the heck? We've been waiting for forty-one months already!
• Did Martin ever go door-to-door-as he promised to do many months ago-to explain to the residents why he refuses to hire the eighth police officer? If so, we sure as (EXPLETIVE) missed it.
• Has Martin been doing any illegal, unlicensed handyman work for any Villa Hills Civic Club directors lately?
• Has Martin required crony hire, $47.50 per hour clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber-you know, the wife of Martin's co-defendant, Dale Schaber-to sign a contract yet? The City Attorney strongly recommended a contract for the bucket-headed bookkeeper at a recent public meeting after all.
• While we are talking about old Cordelia-we wonder if she realizes she has room for at least six more home-made Martin placards in her front yard? She has a lot at stake after all. $47.50 per hour taxpayer-funded, crony-jobs don't grow on trees.

Yeah, we know. We don't expect to get the answer to any of these questions any time soon. But it never hurts to ask.

Let Martin Be Martin?

The Martin Chronicles looks back with a certain sense of fondness for the departing Villa Hills Councilman Jim Noll and his amusing question, "What's a caucus?". Given all of the mayhem created by Mayor Mike Martin over these past seventeen-plus months, the dipsomaniacal Noll's unintentional hilarity frequently provided a much needed change of pace.

Villa Hills has one of those caucus meeting tomorrow night. We suspect the biggest topic of discussion will be Martin's budget proposal for the City's looming new fiscal year. Oddly, the revelations of Martin's corruption and misconduct may work in the mendacious mayor's favor in the budget talks.

How so? We are sure council members have been hearing the peaceniks and hand-wringers whine about the need to stop the "bickering". These council members have also heard the Civic Club vine-swingers falsely attack them for being bitter about the outcome of the 2010 election. Want more? The council members who have stood on the side of common sense against Martin's chicanery and incompetence have to be at least a bit discouraged when they see The Kentucky Enquirer headline writer attribute all of the chaos to mere "infighting".

These council people are also most likely reluctant to rain on Martin's 50th Anniversary parade and party that are both right around the corner. Who ever wants to play the role of the dreaded "(EXPLETIVE) in the punch bowl", after all? With the notable exception of the wacky Mike Pope, of course.

Finally, the early-August filing deadline for November's council election is rapidly approaching. Council members are well aware of Martin co-defendant Dale Schaber's efforts to recruit fifteen fellow pinheads to run for the seats they currently hold. They have also read the threatening diatribes written by the likes of disgraced former Ethics Board Chairman Larry McGovern.

All of this has to be at least a little intimidating. Given the silence of the huge majority of Villa Hills' citizenry regarding the proof of Martin's illegal activity and overt misconduct, you couldn't blame council members for feeling a little discouraged. It wouldn't be surprising to learn that some of them feel more than a little too far out on that proverbial "limb".

So what should they do? Maybe they should simply "let Martin be Martin". If he gains just one more council member who is willing to blindly support him in an election that is now only 153 days away, let 'er rip.

Won't that be fun?

The Origin Of The Species: Part Two

The Martin Chronicles continues its examination of the series of circumstances that has led Villa Hills to become the butt of Northern Kentucky's political humorists for the second time in roughly a dozen years. We have spent weeks conducting interviews and doing research.

As we wrote in Part One, today's situation is eerily similar to what took place during the administration of Mayor Steve Clark. Speaking on background, one long-time observer sees a major difference. "Despite the many controversial things Steve Clark did, he was basically an honest guy. Mike Martin is as dishonest as they come. He runs an illegal contracting business. He constantly lies and is unfazed when he is caught in a lie. Lying is just a way of life for Martin."

Today we explore the arrival of Mike Pope. Pope's initial foray into the public eye was the creation of a very odd website called cityofvillyhills.com (yes, villyhills). As is generally the case, Pope had an axe to grind. He was upset because a rear window in his pickup truck shattered. Pope believed that the police were not sufficiently helpful to him and used the website to attack their efforts.

Pope's big break came when a local developer decided to expand the size of what is commonly referred to as the Ameristop strip center on Amsterdam Road in 2004. Witnesses say Pope burst into a public hearing and immediately began to launch into a tirade, attacking the developer and the City. This despite the fact that Pope had no facts.

After the "Ameristop" expansion was approved, Pope stepped up his attacks on Zoning Administrator Joe Schutzman, Mayor Mike Sadouskas and the City administrative staff. Pope actually-and creepily-tape recorded a phone conversation with one of the clerks and emailed it to the council, presenting the conversation as some "gotcha moment". Pope's problem? No one else saw it that way.

Well, almost no one. First year Councilman Mike Martin decided he would help Pope. It made sense to Martin. Martin was already conducting his own investigation of Zoning Administrator Schutzman.

A third party also entered the mix. Ken Kennedy, who lived next door to the "Ameristop" expansion, was on his own personal quest to stop the development. Kennedy was arrested for disorderly conduct, creating a scene in the Villa Hills City Building before it was open to the public. Years of nuisance lawsuits and attacks on Schutzman and Sadouskas followed. It is no surprise that Kennedy was soon allied with Martin and Pope.

Several sources say that Martin planned to run for mayor against Sadouskas in 2006. These same sources claim that Martin planned to conduct a mudslinging campaign, accusing Sadouskas of all manner of wrongdoing. Martin chose instead to run for re-election to council at the last moment. Thanks to these sources, we now know his dirtbag 2010 mayoral campaign was already in the making in 2006.

Pope had filed to run for city council in 2006. He expected Martin to challenge Sadouskas. After Martin bailed out, Pope decided to instead run as a write-in challenger to Sadouskas.
It is very interesting to read Pope's campaign literature six year later. In fact, we plan to do a post on 2006 Pope versus 2012 Pope in the very near future.

One of the finer moments of the 2006 mayor's race? Pope came within a whisker of being arrested when he went over to Sadouskas' house the weekend before the election and terrorized the mayor's wife. What was Pope's motivation? We have learned that Mary Koenig falsely told Pope that Sadouskas campaign workers were stealing Pope literature. Pope flew into a rage.  

It gets weirder. Pope tape recorded his little trip and posted it on his 2006 campaign website. Sources tell us that Pope gave a running commentary of his little trip. "The light is on. The light is off. You can hear the leaves. Can you hear the dogs barking? The light is on again."

Despite his bizarre antics, Pope ran a very effective write-in campaign. He carried out the usual attacks launched by challengers-spending and taxes. Pope also focused harsh criticism on Zoning Administrator Schutzman and the Crescent Springs-Villa Hills Fire Department.

While Pope lost, he received a significant number of votes. Observers tell us there is no question that the constant attacks by Pope, Martin, Koenig, Kennedy and others were really beginning to take their toll on people's view of Sadouskas and the entire City government.

Councilman Greg Kilburn proposed the now-infamous UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX shortly after the 2006 election. It immediately became highly controversial. As we know, Pope used Kilburn's UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX as a "political hammer" to beat Sadouskas over the head with. This hammer was a major reason Pope was elected to city council in 2008.

From the moment Pope took office in 2009, he used his newly launched "alternative reality" city website and the council meetings to poison the atmosphere of City government. He attacked everything without proposing any alternative. The pieces were beginning to fall into place for Martin.

The most important thing Villa Hills voters should remember in just 154 days is that, despite all of his wailing and gnashing of teeth, Mike Pope has never-not even once-made a motion to repeal Greg Kilburn's UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX. In fact, Pope revealed his support of the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX by casting a vote in favor of the tax now being collected by the billious blowhard County Boss Steve Arlinghaus' County Court House. How can anyone who has paid any attention at all believe anything Mike Pope says.

[PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Next up. How the Villa Hills Civic Club's shocking embezzlement scandal of hundreds of thousands of dollars actually helped Mike Martin gain the mayor's office.]

The Origin Of The Species: Part One

The Martin Chronicles isn't writing about the work of Charles Darwin. That is the subject matter for another blog. Instead, we have been conducting extensive research and interviews now for many weeks in an attempt to learn how it is that Villa Hills has become Northern Kentucky's epicenter of embarrassment for the second time in about a dozen years.

The simple answer is its mayor. And that is of course true. But how is it that a City purportedly populated with people of above average intelligence elected-albeit by a very slim margin-someone as unremarkable and corrupt as Mike Martin to manage the affairs of their municipality.

The City is once again embroiled in great controversy that is very reminiscent of the Mayor Steve Clark era. Today's situation is almost eerily similar, right down to attorney Phil Taliaferro reprising his role as Special Counsel investigating the mayor. So how did Villa Hills get here?

We'll begin this story all the way back in 1998. That is when then-Councilmember Mary Koenig recruited the virtually unknown Steve Clark to run against nine-year incumbent Mayor Dennis Stein. Steve Clark was an empty slate upon which the voters could create any image they wanted. Unlike Mike Martin, Clark ran a clean campaign based on some fuzzy need for new ideas. Clark won the election-also by a fairly narrow margin-and almost immediately ran into strong resistance.

In fairness, Clark wasn't given much of a chance in the beginning. Unlike Martin, Clark actually had a council who was reluctant to work with him. Also unlike Martin, the main reason that council was unwilling to work with Clark was in large part actually based on loyalty to his predecessor. One councilman convinced the majority to name the City Building after Clark's predecessor within months of the new mayors election. While such an honor was deserved, it was proposed for the wrong reasons. Another councilman was also trying to protect his taxpayer-funded gravy train. The whole situation was a prescription for disaster.

Putting it mildly, the first two years were tumultuous. The situation legitimately turned for the worse when serious questions arose over the disposition of a $25,025 check that was cut supposedly for the purposes of sidewalk construction. This led to many months of investigation and the empanelling of a grand jury.

The $25,025 check crisis came to an end in late 1999 when the grand jury decided not to indict Clark. What didn't end was the deep division in City government. Any attempt at cooperation was over. And, reportedly spurred on by outgoing Councilmember Mary Koenig, Clark planned to "settle some scores".

The retribution began when the State Auditor was brought in and delivered a scathing report on some of the spending of the previous administration. Sources showed us copies of a shocking $800-plus, taxpayer-funded bar tab that was published in the now-defunct Kentucky Post. The atmosphere in City Government was now toxic.

Clark eventually began his undoing when he over-reached by firing the very popular Police Chief Corky Brown and another employee in December 2000. A large coalition of residents rallied in support of the terminated employees. Phil Taliaferro was hired to investigate Clark's actions. Hundreds of these residents attended several public meetings demanding that the fired employees be re-hired. Mike Martin surfaced for the first time at these meetings.

Clark finally resigned under severe pressure in March 2001. Our sources and our research tell us that a large minority of the citizenry were convinced that Clark was railroaded in part because the terms of Clark's departure were more or less undisclosed. Martin's stage was slowly being set.

Sources also say it was at that moment that now-former Councilmember Mary Koening committed herself to getting even. No matter how long it took.

[PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Next up. Koenig's two failed mayoral candidates and the entrance of Mike Pope.]

SUNDAY COMMENTARY: I'll Give You That One

The Martin Chronicles is worldly enough to understand that many politicians will bend the truth to promote their positions and agendas. We are very familiar with the practice of "spinning" a story in a favorable way. That is why history is kind to a man like George Washington for simply stating that he could not tell a lie and why the moniker "Honest Abe" separated Mr. Lincoln from so many of his contemporaries.

There is the old joke that there was a way you could tell Lyndon Johnson was lying. The punchline? Johnson's lips were moving. Lest we forget, Richard Nixon was not dubbed "Tricky Dick" for his ability to perform fantastic acts of prestidigitation. How many politicians feel so cornered that they feel they need to tell the public, "I am not a crook", after all?

But Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin is on a pace to put even the likes of Johnson and Nixon to shame. In seventeen short months Martin has demonstrated himself to be an almost total stranger to the truth. When caught in an embarrassing lie about not being asked to meet with Special Counsel when Martin actually was, he oddly replied, "I'll give you that one". Let's take just a sampling of Martin's flame-broiled whoppers.

First, let's go back to before Martin was elected. How did he say it in his LIBELOUS campaign literature and website? "I am happy to tell you that I am not suing you". One minor problem. Martin was suing you for $1.505 MILLION. Says who? The United States Supreme Court, that's who. Martin only stopped suing you on June 7, 2011 when his pathetic lawsuit was tossed out of court for a second time.

Let's stay on the subject of Martin's specious lawsuit. On June 7, 2011 Martin told the media that he and his wife prayed and they decided to DROP their law suit. No, they didn't drop it. The judges drop-kicked Martin's silly lawsuit right out of the court house. Prayer had nothing to do with it.

How about the lie about "finding" $30,000? A careful review of Martin's talks at both the 2008 and 2010 Civic Club Candidate Forums shows Martin making that bogus claim both times. He even goes so far as to say that, "I don't know how I found it." Multiple sources confirm that the reason Martin doesn't know how he found the $30,000 is that, well, uh, how to be nice? Er, he didn't find it. Even still, Martin remains enamored with that lie. He even used it to try to puff up $47.50 per hour, uncontracted-contract employee, crony-hire, clerk-bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber at one point by saying she found the $30,000!!!

On January 19, 2011 Martin threw his "Truth and Integrity" pledge out of the proverbial window by telling his first official mayoral lie. And he did it even before he called his very first council meeting to order later that night. Council people approached him seeking assurance that the rumors of his unlicensed electrical and plumbing work were not true. Martin told them he had never done unlicensed work. We now know better.

In late October 2011, Martin improperly used City personnel and resources to produce a flyer for the Voice of Villa Hills promoting his proposed ROAD TAX. A few days later Martin called a resident to chastise him for putting VOTE NO TO THE ROAD TAX signs around town. When the resident asked Martin who was responsible for putting the PRO ROAD TAX flyer in the Voice of Villa Hills, Martin replied that he "had no idea".

Perhaps Martin's most damaging lie? Well, he actually told it twice in a matter of seconds. Martin was twice asked if the falsified document he provided council truly listed all of the records he burned on January 5. Both times he answered "yes" without hesitation. We now know that wasn't even close to the truth.

A very nice but confused woman took the podium at the May council meeting to express her somewhat rambling opinions. At one point she asked, "So what's the big deal about burning some papers?"

Good question. Here is the answer. Destroying City records in the middle of a serious lawsuit is far more than "burning some papers". Especially after the Kentucky League of Cities and the CIty Attorney both advised Martin NOT to do so. There are strict State guidelines for the retention and destruction of City records. Gathering up anything you may feel is incriminating in a lawsuit and throwing what you have improperly gathered into a hastily dug fire pit does not qualify under the State guidelines. In fact, it could very well be a Class D felony. The term "tampering" also comes to mind.

Any political pundit will tell you that cover-ups are often a bigger problem that the initial crime. This is very likely true in Martin's case as well. Remember, Martin told the Public Works Director not to tell anyone about the document burn. Martin also tried to find out what records had been recovered from the fire when he quizzed the Public Works Director and Chief of Police on January 6.

We know why Martin was so intent on learning what had been recovered. He was hoping he could include those items on the falsified document he was going to prepare later that day. Later on the afternoon of January 6, Martin sat down with the endlessly interim City Clerk and the $15 per hour, temporary-hire clerk-that he is now blaming for the document burn-to craft a fallacious list of destroyed records.

A judge also completely disagrees with a shoulder-shrugging "burning some papers" assessment of Martin's misconduct. She sternly-and correctly-told Martin that his wanton actions did great harm to the residents of Villa Hills. City council must hold Martin accountable.

Nixon said he was "not a crook". Martin said there were "inaccuracies" in Special Counsel's report. We say, "same difference".

Jim Noll's Villa Hills Legacy?

The Martin Chronicles has found Jim Noll's brief time on Villa Hills City Council both troubling and entertaining as (EXPLETIVE). No matter what happens, Noll has made a major contribution to the mendacious mayhem that has exemplified Mike Martin's now nearly first two years as the self-described CEO.

Noll has been very open about his refusal to vote to remove Martin from the mayor's office. No matter the evidence. Document destruction means nothing. The refusal to abide by State Open Records and Open Meetings statutes is irrelevant. Destruction of City property is no big deal.

Two items Noll is ignoring make sense to us, believe it or not. How can Noll condemn Martin for his misuse of City personnel and resources when Noll received a "confidential" reprimand from the Villa Hills Ethics Board for being a party to Martin's misconduct? And how in the world can Noll judge Martin for disregarding allegations of sexual harassment when Noll is the one accused of doing the harassing? In a twisted way, that makes sense.

Noll evidently thinks Martin's illegal business practices are also unimportant. So what if Martin does unlicensed electrical, plumbing and commercial work? So what if Martin avoids pemits and fees. Doesn't everybody?

We think Noll spends his time listening to the armpit-scratching troglodytes from the Civic Club and the holier-than-thou, sanctimonious pinheads from the St. Joe's Heavy Drinking Men's Society. Why? Because Noll is making a cynical vote calculation. Nothing more.

We have to admit we've enjoyed Noll's council antics. Altered states of consciousness. Witnesses who mislead about time clocks. "What's a caucus?" An inexplicable obsession for mediation. It has been devilishly fun to watch.

So Noll wants to give Martin a "pass" and go on to the State Senate? So he doesn't really believe anyone should obey the statutes that are passed? If he is victorious he will certainly make things entertaining in Frankfort.

Won't that be fun?

Bandits And Bullies

The Martin Chronicles isn't the least bit surprised. The events of the past seventeen dreadful months have proven that Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin firmly believes that the law applies to everybody else but him and his venal cronies. Where to begin. The operation of an illegal business . . . the destruction of City property . . . the refusal to abide by State Open Records and Open Meetings statutes . . . the illegal burning of City records and the wanton falsification of a document to hide his misconduct . . . unabashed cronyism . . . circumvention of City bid rules . . . misuse of City personnel and resources. The list goes on and on and on.

Tinpot dictators like Martin usually attract a group of mean-spirited henchmen who also love the idea of being above the law. These people are typically simple minded and carry some twisted grudge against the world. In 2012 Villa Hills, Martin's lawlessness is being defended largely by the vine-swinging pinheads from the Villa Hills Civic Club. These log-thumpers are still smarting from their huge embezzlement scandal of just a few years ago. This is their revenge.

The most recent example? The persistent theft of the very polite "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" yard signs. Sources also tell us that people are also being threatened into taking their signs down by Martin loyalists from the Civic Club. Are Martin and his supporters really so thin-skinned? Evidently so.

Martin and his cronies had no reluctance when they falsely accused their perceived enemies of all manner of wrongdoing during Martin's 2010 dirtbag mayoral campaign. Martin has demonstrated no inhibition when it comes to filing false police reports and bogus complaints to the Better Business Bureau. 

Martin and his cronies established the rules for how politics will be done in that embattled City for years to come. The only difference between 2010 and now is that Martin's wrongdoing has been clearly proven to be true . . . supported by solid evidence.

Leaders and their henchmen who do not tolerate any opposition or dissent are generally successful for awhile. Power provides some level of protection. However, history tells us that it generally doesn't end well for them. For Martin and his coterie, it is only a question of when.