The Martin Chronicles predicts quite a council election in Villa Hills this year. It will certainly be fun to watch and report on the crowded field. Who knows? A few decent candidates may actually win. Here is our initial "quick take" on the candidates. We have listed the candidates in alphabetical order. Much more to come.
1. Rod Baehner - Our sources tell us that Rod Baehner is a good guy. Described as bright and articulate and very concerned about the current direction of City Government. We look forward to learning more.
2. Amy Balson - A CPA who has demonstrated a sincere desire to help the City. An interesting candidate with a "good-government pedigree" deserving strong consideration.
3. George Bruns - Villa Hills "lifer". Loves the City. Longtime member of the volunteer fire department. Will be a target of Villa Hills Mayor Martin's hillbilly lynch mob for daring to question "The Little Man From Norwood".
4. Jim Cahill - Very community-minded. Gives endless hours to St. Joke's festival. CPA who has served on City Finance committee for nearly fifteen years. Some sources privately complain that Cahill has kept too quiet as Martin destroyed the City's finances. As one observer put it, "Martin is the ringleader. But Cahill has been driving the get-a-away car through his silence". Another potential shortcoming? Very reluctant to deal with conflict of any kind.
5. Greg Kilburn - Serious-minded and hard-working. A good community servant. The fact that he is "The Father of the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX" may make him vulnerable.
6. Mary Koenig - Her tenure on council in the '90's earned her a well-deserved, terrible reputation. She is described as mean-spirited and vindictive. The architect of the last "mayoral meltdown". Terrible candidate.
7. Holly Menninger-Isenhour - We have learned that Ms. Menninger grew up in Villa Hills. Some sources also say she is a Martinite who has been harshly critical of the decimated police department. If true, the City needs no more of that. We will continue to do our research.
8. Scott Ringo - Far and away the smartest candidate in the field. Excellent work for the fire authority and with recreation. But, he has not ignored Martin's mismanagement and malfeasance. Look for Martin's obese hillbilly lynchmob to spend many a day waddling door-to-door, portraying Mr. Ringo as "Public Enemy Number One".
9. Dale Schaber - Husband of the "snout in the taxpayer trough" Cordelia. Martin's co-defendant in a LIBEL, SLANDER and DEFAMATION lawsuit. We'll have to get back to you on this one. We all just threw up in our mouths.
10. Tim Sogar - A very good guy who speaks his mind. No one can question Mr. Sogar's community spirit. Mr. Sogar has willingly taken on every assignment. But the fatties on Martin's sordid hillbilly lynch mob most certainly will. Why? Because, once again, Mr. Sogar declined to roll over in the face of Martin's mismanagement and corruption.
11. Brian Wischer - Serves on the City's Administration committee. Attended a police officer's retirement party with outgoing Councilman Jim Noll in tow last fall. Sources also believe Wischer is a Martinite. We are still sorting this guy out.
Initial analysis: Martin and Schaber failed to piece together their "15 candidate slate". A field of eleven candidates makes it a bit of a crapshoot. Why? Because Villa Hills voters sometimes take all of about thirty seconds to pick their six choices. They elected the corrupt and incompetent Martin in 2010 after all.
The solid candidates must mount a strong campaign focusing on the serious problems the City faces. These candidates need to do everything they can to engage the voters. Why? Because Martin's bloated hillbilly lynchmob will be spreading lies like Kudzu between today and November 2.
There appears to be four Martinites in the eleven-candidate field. The departure of Jim Noll and Mike Pope means Martin and his cronies will have to "thread the needle" to get a working majority.
The Martin Chronicles is convinced that the Martinites will be working very hard to thread that needle. We'll be working very hard as well. And, unlike the Martinites, we will tell you the truth.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: In all the excitement we almost forgot to mention that there is a council meeting tonight. The buzz is that there will be some fireworks. Do you feel lucky today?]
