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.
