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?
