The Martin Chronicles is receiving dozens of phone calls, e-mails and texts from several sources that Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin is doing everything he can do to derail the removal hearing that is now scheduled to begin on Monday, October 8. As one local observer put it, "Martin is doing everything but acting like a man who hasn't done anything wrong".
We do want to correct something from a recent post. Martin has actually retained attorney Todd McMurtry to represent him in the upcoming proceedings. Mr. McMurtry has a solid reputation. His challenge? He is operating with only the information provided to him by Mike Martin. Chances are that some, most or all of that information is-to be kind-unreliable.
It is fair to say that Mr. McMurtry's initial written salvo to Special Counsel and City Council was pretty much boiler-plate, pro-forma sabre-rattling designed to buy time.
Through his attorney, Martin insists that he should preside over the removal hearing. Again through his attorney, Martin has gone so far as to lay out the format for the hearing. How does Martin want the hearing to proceed? Martin says he will "give" Special Counsel and McMurtry each fifteen minutes to make whatever statements they choose. Then? Six residents will be given up to ten minutes to speak. We can only surmise that it would be Martin choosing the six residents. Let's guess. The "Let's Save Martin's Biscuits" council slate of Dale Schaber, Mary Koening, Holly B. Isenhour-Menninger, Brian Wischer, Herman Goering and Jim Cahill will each be given ten minutes to peddle their "witch hunt" fable.
There are some problems with Martin's megalomaniacal power grab. First, Special Counsel gets fifteen minutes to lay out the case for nine charges of misconduct and neglect of duty? C'mon, man! It is our understanding that eight witnesses have been subpoenaed by Special Counsel as well. Fifteen minutes to present the case and deal with eight witnesses? No way, right? No way, right? Right?
While it is substantial, Martin's "fifteen minutes of shame" time schedule isn't the only troubling issue. There is also certainly a problem with Martin presiding over his own removal hearing. Can anyone say, "conflict of interest"?
Villa Hills Ethics Ordinance 1994-2 Section 2 (B) speaks directly to Martin's obvious conflict.
"The vitality and stability of the government of this city depends upon the public's confidence in the integrity of its elected and appointed officers and employees. Whenever the public perceives a conflict between the private interests and public duties of a city officer or employee, that confidence is imperiled."
Remember, Martin lives from moment to moment. So what is Martin trying to accomplish now? Well, it appears he simply wants to hold off the removal hearing until after November 6. It appears Martin is banking on his council candidates prevailing and delivering him from the "evil" of finally being held responsible for his actions.
Martin has had far more than ample time to retain legal counsel and to answer the many questions his behavior has raised. His delays have dragged the investigation out for many months and wasted thousands of taxpayer dollars.
The time has long since come for Martin to come out from hiding and tell the truth.
