The Survey Results Are In

The Martin Chronicles' publisher commissioned a group from a local university to conduct a survey of registered voters in Villa Hills. The purpose was to get a snapshot of the thoughts these voters have on the current turmoil in City government that has clearly spilled over to the public at large. A healthy sample size of 185 voters were polled. First we will look at the results of the survey and then provide our opinions of the results.

VILLA HILLS POLL RESULTS

Telephone survey taken June 25 thru June 27.

Question # 1: Are you definitely going to vote in the upcoming general election?

YES: 64%

NO:  5%

UNSURE: 31%

Question #2: Are you aware of the current turmoil in Villa Hills’ City government?

YES: 40%

NO: 13%

UNSURE: 47%

Only those respondents who answered YES or UNSURE were answered the next three questions.

Question #3: Who do you blame for the current turmoil in Villa Hills City government?

MAYOR MARTIN: 46%

CITY COUNCIL: 16%

BOTH: 25%

UNSURE: 13%

Question #4: Would the City be better off if Mayor Martin was removed from office?

YES: 63%

NO: 24%

UNSURE: 13%

Question #5: Would the City be better off if the entire current City Council was removed from office?

YES: 31%

NO: 33%

UNSURE: 36%

Survey based on 185 Villa Hills’ registered voters. Margin of error +/- 6%


Now, The Martin Chronicles analysis.

First, it is not at all surprising that 60% of Villa Hills' registered voters are either unsure or totally clueless about the current mess. Frankly, we are surprised that the number isn't even higher. This lack of awareness is perfectly understandable. Even if it is disappointing. People are busy trying to pay the bills and raise their children in a tepid-at-best economy.

Besides, Villa Hills has been experiencing a demographic shift over the past decade. We believe the community has now passed the "tipping point". More about that in future posts.

Second, there is actually good news for Martin in the survey results. Why? Because unlike the council, Martin does not stand for re-election on November 6. So, despite the fact that 71% of the respondents to Question #3 are assigning either total or shared blame to Martin for the current problems, he will not have to endure the blowback from voters. The council will face that alone.

If the voters want to hit the "reset button" on City government on November 6, the council will take the full measure. Nearly a third of the respondents (31%) say that the City will be better off with them gone. That is a pretty steep hill to climb for incumbents who chose to run for re-election.

You can also rest assured that Martin and his willing accomplices have already planned to send a dishonest message to these voters that City business will get done if he is given a council who "will work with him". For the record, we don't believe that is true. But we do believe that there is a better than even chance that the strategy can work.

Third, there is also an opportunity for council shown in these survey results. But they have to display the "political will" to take that opportunity. A full 60% of the registered voters in the survey know either little or nothing of the current problems. And, of those who are fully aware, 63% believe Martin's removal would improve things.

Incumbent candidates-if there are any-need to do whatever they can to stress the importance to all voters-informed or otherwise-of having a council in place who will keep a watchful eye on what Martin does over the final two years of his term in office. The Martin Chronicles is convinced that a removal hearing that lays out all of Martin's misconduct before the public and an attentive media would be an effective method for framing that argument.  

We are fairly sure that Martin sycophant and general all-around eristic oddball Mike Pope will never vote for Martin's removal. No matter how strong the justification for doing so. We are also unsure how outgoing council member-and State Senate candidate-Jim Noll will vote. That will be nothing more than a vote calculation. But that doesn't matter. What does matter is that the facts be presented in the strongest of ways. Judging by what has happened over the past few months, the media will take it from there.

A significant amount of taxpayer money was spent on Special Counsel's investigation. If the current majority on City council doesn't do everything they can do to make sure as many voters as possible are aware of the shocking things Special Counsel uncovered, Martin and his cronies will do everything they can do to ensure that the incumbents who chose to run again are sent packing on November 6. Martin and his hillbilly lynchmob have demonstrated a true zest for spreading deceit and libel door-to-door.

The survey results send a strong message to council incumbents. The decision is theirs and theirs alone.