WEEKENDER: We CAN Believe All This Stuff Is Going On.

The Martin Chronicles first posted about this very odd twist of fate on January 9, 2012. We were looking back at an article published in The Kentucky Enquirer on December 30, 2000 about the turmoil engulfing Villa Hills at that time. Then-Mayor Steve Clark ignited a forest fire of public backlash when he terminated the police chief and city clerk right before Christmas, 2000.

Then-nothing-more-than-a-mere-mortal-but-now-malfeasant Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin was quoted by reporter Patrick Crowley as saying, "I can't believe all this stuff is going on" in that article. Funny how the passing years change things. We're quite convinced that in those bygone days Martin could never have imagined that he would grow up to be yet another Mayor Steve Clark, dealing out his very own brand of "stuff".

Not to be outdone, Martin isn't settling for terminating just two employees. Oh, no. Martin is going for the brass ring. Martin wants to destroy the careers of every member of the City's police department. Social networkers are describing how very bad things are in the malfeasant Martin's present-day Villa Hills. One writer laments how it seems residents are reduced to "begging" their self-described "THE SUPERIOR" to please keep their police department.

A normal person might deem the 600 pro-police department signs displayed throughout the City as a wake-up call to reconsider-or at the very least revisit-their plans. We truly don't think Martin is one of those normal people. We are convinced that Martin is thoroughly energized by the fact that he can make a huge slice of his constituency beg him to please, please, pretty please with sugar on top keep the police department. And Martin holds their collective fate in his all-powerful hands. He-he-he-he-he.

The situation has worsened. Martin is currently attempting to terminate one member of the police department. Sources tell us that other police officers believe Martin has targeted them for termination as well. Martin may force his radical plan to disband the Villa Hills Police Department on the residents simply by exterminating it.  We'll know that soon enough.

We've looked more than a dozen years in to the past. Now lets look a dozen years in to the future. What "stuff" will people remember about "the Martin years"? We suspect people will say, "Oh, yeah. Martin. He was that little jackwagon who told LIE after LIE after LIE after LIE after LIE".

For those of you who don't pay much attention, Martin's pathological LYING hasn't ended with the election of an entirely new city council. In fact, Martin served up a smokin'-hot whopper to the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission (the home of Martin's imaginary friend President Paul DePaul) when he told the commission members that he provided his new city council with a copy of the interlocal agreement required to retain the NKAPC's services before last Friday's meeting.

You remember, don't you? Martin presided over a rushed meeting to strong-arm his new city council in to voting to retain NKAPC last Friday. And do you know what? Four members of council capitulated and voted to retain the NKAPC WITHOUT EVER SEEING THE ACTUAL INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.  Okay, raise your hand if you think the public is well-served by a council member who votes to approve a contract WITHOUT EVER READING IT? Anyone? Anyone at all? No. We didn't think so.

No, we aren't going to leave you hanging. The vote to approve the UNREAD CONTRACT was as follows:

Jim Cahill - YES

Mary Koenig - YES

Holly Menninger-Isenhour - YES

Brian Wischer - YES

Rod Baehner - NO

Amy Balson - NO

We wonder if the four council members who approved an UNREAD CONTRACT realize the potential trouble they have created for themselves. How so, you ask?

Well, the first time a resident or contractor complains that they had a problem with the quality of NKAPC's service-and it will happen sooner or later-the mendacious Martin will not take any personal responsibility. You know what will happen. Martin will blame the four council people who voted to retain NKAPC's services - WITHOUT EVER BOTHERING TO READ THE CONTRACT.

Get ready for it.

 



DEVELOPING STORY: Politics?

The Martin Chronicles has been reviewing the charges Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin is bringing against Assistant Police Chief Joe Schutzman. As we have already reported, the Civil Service Commission is meeting tonight to set a date for a hearing at which time Martin hopes to terminate Assistant Chief Schutzman.

Here is something we want you to ponder. Do you consider the mendacious Martin's radical plan to disband the police department a "political" issue? Why do we ask? Because it appears that Martin believes it is.

Consider this. Ever since his radical plan to disband the police department was revealed, Martin has been bloviating that his motivation is "budgetary". Is Martin now saying that his radical plan is really motivated by "politics". It sounds like it.

Martin is wrong either way.  He's off-base whether he believes his radical plan represents a "budgetary" or a "political" issue.

Why? Because it is an issue of THE SAFETY OF THE RESIDENTS. Pure and simple.

BREAKING NEWS: CHARGES RELEASED TO MEDIA

The Martin Chronicles has developed a solid reputation for being first with the news from malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's strife-torn Villa Hills. We're doing it again.

As you know, the malfeasant Martin suspended Assistant Police Chief Joe Schutzman without pay last week. Martin is pressing for a Civil Service Board hearing to insist that Schutzman is terminated. The Board is meeting tonight to set the hearing date.  

Jeff Otis, who serves as Assistant Chief Schutzman's attorney, has released Martin's charges against his client to the media. It is not unfair to say that these charges are very vague and potentially problematic for Martin, City Attorney Toad V. McMurtry and perhaps even the taxpayers of Villa Hills.

Why a problem for the taxpayers? Martin's actions seem to provide strong evidence of his vendetta against the Villa Hills Police Department and more specifically his ongoing retaliation against Assistant Chief Schutzman. Martin is carrying out this systematic intimidation in his official capacity as the mayor.

We have our legal eagles reviewing what we have received and will provide ongoing updates.

Better Kinda Late Than Never

The Martin Chronicles understands. We really do. Well, pretty much anyway. It generally takes a lot to get a large number of people riled up about the same issue. But we have to admit that it looks like Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin has finally struck a nerve with a very large segment of the troubled town's heretofore befuddled residents.

People were badly fooled by Martin and his hillbilly lynchmob in the 2010 mayoral election. People were badly fooled by Martin and that same hillbilly lynchmob yet again in the 2012 council election (the homemade "STOP BULLYING" sign on Rogers Road sure seems like a very long time ago now, doesn't it?). It doesn't look like Martin is fooling the residents this time. But can the residents hang on long enough to do something about it?

Prior to Martin's VENDETTA against the Villa Hills Police Department becoming UNDENIABLY CLEAR, people seemingly didn't care all that much that:

• Martin runs an UNLICENSED CONTRACTING BUSINESS, despite the fact that he is tasked with enforcing those licenses with other contractors operating in Villa Hills in his mayoral role.
• Martin LIED about the fact that he was suing the residents for $1.505 MILLION.
• Martin COMPLETELY DISREGARDS State Open Records and Open Meetings laws.
• Martin surrounds himself with TAXPAYER-FUNDED CRONY HIRES.
• Martin was CONVICTED ON SEVEN OF NINE COUNTS OF OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT AND NEGLECT OF DUTY.
• Martin cut himself a $23,000 TAXPAYER-FUNDED BONUS CHECK.
• Martin LIED REPEATEDLY about his covert, radical plans to DISBAND THE VILLA HILLS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

But now it seems different. People may finally be seeing it. Martin is not only coming after the police department. Martin is coming after the residents too. Martin is raising their taxes. Martin is making them less safe. Martin is suing them. Martin is threatening to have them silenced. Martin is threatening to have them arrested and jailed.

People all over Villa Hills want Martin gone now. It won't happen. Martin was inexplicably spared by former Councilmen Pope and Noll last October. Now it's too late. That window is closed.

But a lot of people now see beyond the simple-minded hillybilly ass hat-generated smoke and mirrors. Here is the truth. You CANNOT trust this mayor. He does TERRIBLE things to people.

Martin has also insulated himself with a TAXPAYER-FUNDED GOON SQUAD. He no longer has to answer questions. He no longer has to be accountable.

Let's face it. These TAXPAYER-FUNDED GOONS have no real motivation to bring about the "lawfulness" and "normalcy" they promised. Why? Because the more turmoil Martin generates, the more money they make. It's really just that simple.

Martin has a great deal of support from at least three council people: Koenig; Menninger-Isenhour and Wischer. Maybe more. They will do nothing. That is except to serve as enablers for Martin.

The next chance the voters have to fix Martin's mess is November 4, 2014. The voters need to send some council people packing as well. But that is still 523 days away.



The Timeline Of Martin's Deceit

The Martin Chronicles wants to acquaint-or reacquaint-our skyrocketing readership with the flow of events that has led to Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's suspension of who most of the rest of the media is describing as "Assistant Chief' Joe Schutzman. This timeline serves as an arrow pointing directly at Martin's vendetta against the police department he blames for his 2007 FORGERY ARREST.

2005 - Newly-elected Councilman Mike Martin launched a secret, one-man investigation against Police Officer and Building Inspector Joe Schutzman. Martin inaccurately claimed that Schutzman was "double-dipping", falsely alleging that Schutzman was doing his separately-contracted building inspection work while on duty as a police officer.

There are those who are now absolutely convinced that Martin launched an attack on Schutzman to prevent the building inspector from uncovering Martin's illegal, unlicensed contracting business practices. It has now become clear that virtually none of Martin's Villa Hills' contracting customers applied for permits with the City. Why? Perhaps because that work would have to have been inspected. It would have then been discovered that Martin was performing UNLICENSED ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING WORK. For the uninitiated, that is illegal.

2006- At the conclusion of his secret, one-man investigation, Councilman Martin laid out his baseless concerns in a meeting with the mayor and city attorney. The city attorney advised Martin that Schutzman was performing both his police and building inspection services in accordance with his contract and the law.

Despite what the City Attorney told him, Martin and his friends continued to spread false stories of Schutzman's "double-dipping".

2007- Following up on an inquiry from officials from the Hamilton County, Ohio Fraud Unit, the Villa Hills Police Department investigated then-Councilman Mike Martin. It is discovered that Martin was signing a deceased person's name on that deceased person's checks and cashing them. Martin avoided numerous requests to sit down and talk with the police. County Attorney Rob Sanders drafted an arrest warrant signed by Judge Doug Grothaus. Martin was charged with FORGERY.

2008- Shortly after Martin's FORGERY case is dismissed, the Councilman files a $1.505 MILLION LAWSUIT against the taxpayers of Villa Hills, Police Chief Dan Goodenough and Detective Joe Schutzman.

Martin spends the next three years spinning a colossal web of LIES describing a huge conspiracy to frame him for FORGERY. Martin speciously claims that the mayor, police chief and detective were targeting him because of his own investigations.

The simple-minded, wahoo ass hats from the civic club become Martin's main spokespeople. They happily pass along Martin's endless stream of LIES to an inattentive public. Over time, their non-stop deceit takes its intended toll.

2009 - Martin's $1.505 MILLION LAWSUIT against the taxpayers of Villa Hills, Chief Goodenough and Detective Schutzman is dismissed.  Martin's attorney files an appeal of the dismissal and Martin and his simple-minded wahoo ass hat friends continue to falsely allege a conspiracy to get the "crusading councilman".

Martin and the simple-minded wahoo ass hats from the civic club step up their deceit. The plan is beginning to become clear. Revenge, revenge and revenge.

2010- Martin is narrowly elected mayor after running one of the most dishonest, dirtbag campaigns in Northern Kentucky small-town political history. Step one of his revenge was now complete. Next he set his sights on the police department he hates so much.

Martin's vendetta becomes clear as he steadfastly refuses to bring the police department up to proper staffing levels. Martin's vendetta triggers a huge, still-continuing, crime wave in Villa Hills.

2011 - Martin's $1.505 MILLION LAWSUIT against the taxpayers of Villa Hills, Chief Goodenough and Detective Schutzman is dismissed yet again. Judges derisively wrote that what Martin did fit the very definition of FORGERY and that "Martin is barking up the wrong tree".

Martin covertly begins to step up his plans to disband the Villa Hills Police Department. This represents his next option for getting revenge against Chief Goodenough and Detective Schutzman.

2012 - Martin is CONVICTED ON SEVEN OF NINE COUNTS OF OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT AND NEGLECT OF DUTY.  Martin claims he is the victim of a witch hunt. Martin's defense attorney Toad V. McMurtry-who now serves as City Attorney-accuses Chief Goodenough and Detective Schutzman of criminal activity during Martin's removal hearing that led to the SEVEN CONVICTIONS.

Voters take out their frustrations with City government on the incumbents running for re-election to City Council. This not-so-well-thought-out action surrounds Martin with a more-compliant council - including the vile, ancient crocodile Councilman Mary Koenig. Martin is no longer hindered from doing whatever he pleases.

2013- Martin quickly surrounds himself with a TAXPAYER-FUNDED GOON SQUAD who insulates the mindless mayor from inquiries from the council, employees, residents and the media.

Martin finally admits his radical plans to disband the Villa Hills Police Department. Despite strong public reaction against his radical plan, Martin says he is pressing forward.

Martin issues an Executive Order giving him sweeping power to have residents arrested at council meetings. Kenton County law enforcement vehicles also make themselves visible at all public meetings.

Offering what has been described as a vague and poorly-written letter, Martin suspends Schutzman without pay the day following May's only public City meeting. Martin accuses Schutzman of "gross misconduct" and "political activity".

Martin also immediately terminates Schutzman's company's building inspection contract. Amazingly, the normally perpetually ill-prepared Martin is fully prepared to ask council to approve his plan to turn inspection services over to the County planning commission LESS THAN THIRTY-SIX HOURS AFTER TERMINATING SCHUTZMAN'S CONTRACT.

Just as Martin had done when he defamed the poor city clerk he suspended in October, 2012, Martin heaped unsubstantiated criticism on Schutzman Inspection Services. Reaching the height of hypocrisy, Martin cloyingly says "the residents deserve better . . .".

Yes they do. The residents deserve AN HONEST MAYOR. Despite the fact that a slim majority of those residents elected the very dishonest Martin in 2010.

Many suspect that Martin is using the suspension and possible termination as an excuse to press ahead with his radical plan to disband the police department and do an end-run around the public opinion that is running very strongly against him.

What's Going On Right Now?

The Martin Chronicles reporters have been talking to several sources-including our court house snitches-who tell us that Villa Hills police officers were working on a very serious investigation that may also involve two unnamed council people. Sources say the investigation began less than three weeks ago.

What's Next?

We have received word that organizers are putting together what they call "A March On The City Building"" to protest Martin's radical plan to disband the local police department. We'll bring you details as we receive them.

The residents have no real recourse until Election Day, November 4, 2014. By then it may be far too late.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: As previously reported, the misanthropic Martin is being annihilated all over the internet. Where are skittel, meto3130 and kentoncounty1 when Martin needs them most?]



Social Networks Buzzing

The Martin Chronicles is watching the latest meltdown in malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's Villa Hills. We have to admit that this has become so bizarre that we are beginning to understand why some people think the depth of Martin's deceit and disarray just can't possibly be true. But it is. And more deceit and disarray is on the way.

As Special Counsel Phil Taliaferro accurately predicted, former council members Mike Pope and Jim Noll's odd refusal to remove Mike Martin last October-despite the mountain of evidence-has unleashed Martin's lawlessness. Martin has now further insulated himself with his TAXPAYER-FUNDED GOON SQUAD and the voters provided Martin with a far more compliant council last November. The end result has proven toxic.

Martin may have violated City employees' First Amendment rights when he issued a blanket Executive Order prohibiting employees from speaking to any media outlet. We'll see how and if that ever plays out.

But let's see what the people who-at least for now-are safe from Martin's iron hand are saying on various websites. Following is just a small sampling of the outrage being displayed by Martin's latest move. We wouldn't be surprised to discover that Martin is trying to silence these people as well.

Here we go:

"We were happy and proud when we moved to Villa Hills ten years ago. Now I am embarrassed to tell people where I live, thanks to Mayor Martin."

"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Get out of here Martin, your(sic) destroying Villa Hills! The time is now to impeach your pathetic a** and get this city back on track!"

"This thing is so blatant that Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles can see right through this charade."

"We moved here two years ago and now I wish we hadn't. The mayor should have been removed during those hearings last year and now because he wasn't we all get to see him retaliate against everyone he thinks wronged him. He doesn't care about one single resident and anyone who believes he does needs a reality check. He is pure ego and about what is good for him not Villa Hills. If it is possible to impeach then it needs to be done . . . otherwise we will be looking for a new place to live."

"The ones who voted for him are getting what they deserve, the rest of us don't deserve it."

"Time for an internal investigation!"

"All I can think about is how far this city has fallen in such a few short years. Its extremely embarrassing . . . and no one seems to care . . . because it just keeps getting worse."

NEXT IS THE ONE WE BELIEVE BEST HITS THE NAIL SQUARELY ON IT'S HEAD. IT ALSO EXPRESSES OUR SHARED AMAZEMENT THAT THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY "TRUST THE MAYOR" AND PRAISE HIM FOR DOING "WONDERFUL THINGS FOR PEOPLE". ENJOY . . .

"How in the world can a city that was once considered the most liveable(sic) be such a laughing stock!! What an embarrassment. Assistant Chief Schutzman was part of the reason we achieved the great title . . . along comes Mayor Martin and we get the MOST LAUGHED AT CITY AWARD. . . I am appaulled(sic) at the people who do not see Martin for what he is!!! People I always respected. Mr. Martin you need to collect your toys and go back home. You have done enough damage and spent enough taxpayer money on lawsuits. There is no room for petty juvenile games here . . ."

In fairness to Martin, one-yes, only one-pinhead has come to Martin's defense. This poster claims Martin has "uncovered wrongdoing". Oh, really? Is that a fact? Did Martin tell this poster what he is alleging? Because Martin hasn't told the media a damned thing.

Sounds like this may precipitate the next wave of mayhem.

LONG WEEKENDER: Connecting The Dots

The Martin Chronicles has confirmed that Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin has suspended Detective Joe Schutzman without pay pending a hearing when Martin will be pressing for Schutzman's termination. According to other news sources, Martin is accusing Schutzman of "gross misconduct" and "political activism". That should be one amazing hearing.

Worse yet, Martin's actions have left the already-crime-challenged streets of Villa Hills protected by only 4 police officers. How long will it be before we hear Martin cloyingly claim that he has no choice but to bring in another police agency to protect his residents?

As we have warned you, Martin is hell-bent on getting his revenge against the police agency he blames for his 2007 FORGERY ARREST. We suspect that the 600 signs and the large number of vocal supporters of the Villa Hills police caught Martin a bit off guard. Impatient, we believe he has decided to take a more direct route to force outsourcing.

But what were Schutzman's acts of "gross misconduct" and "political activism"?Are they so serious that they warrant leap-frogging over the normal practice of progressive discipline? We guess we'll find out.

This is not the first time the malevolent Martin has taken this path in an attempt to terminate a City employee. Martin took the same approach with one of his poor clerks. Martin suspended her. Martin defamed her in the media. Martin had her appear before the civil service board to be terminated. The board chose to uphold her suspension but not terminate her.

Now Martin is taking Schutzman down this same, exact path. This leads us to a question. Why does Martin apply his radical brand of discipline in such an inconsistent way?

Let us explain. We learned that Martin reprimanded his interim city clerk during his October 2012 removal hearing. Martin's written reprimand charged the interim city clerk with serious violations of federal and state laws and city ordinances. Martin's reprimand also said he had repeatedly advised this clerk about her violations to no avail.

So what happened to the clerk? Not one damned thing. No suspension. No hearing. No loss of pay. In fact, when an open records request was placed for the clerk's written reprimand, the requester was advised that the City did not have it in their possession. Seriously? That is damned odd, huh?

So let's connect the dots. Why do we think that Martin pushed for termination for the first poor clerk and is now pushing for Schutzman's termination? That's easy. Both of them testified against Martin during last October's removal hearing. It's pure payback. Vicious vendetta. The Martin way.

What about his interim city clerk? Why have her serious infractions been swept under the rug. Just watch her testimony during last year's removal hearing. It's pretty obvious that Martin's follow-up actions (the disappearance of her written reprimand, for instance) are his way of telling the interim clerk, "Thank you, my good and faithful servant".

Things are about to get a whole lot worse.

UPDATE: Firings Begin?

The Martin Chronicles is trying to confirm reports we have spotted on social media that a Villa Hills police officer has been terminated. If so, the "outsourcing" debate may be resolved in a far worse way. We'll keep you posted.

Who still doubts that malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin is conducting a vendetta against the people he blames for his 2007 FORGERY ARREST?

May Council Meeting News and Notes I

The Martin Chronicles knows we have to wait out the next eighteen months until the next election. It's the next and best opportunity to get rid of Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin. The restoration of the reputation of a City that was ranked "The Best City in Northern Kentucky" as recently as June 2010 (before Martin was elected) can only happen after the miscreant Martin is shown the exit.  The problem? Just how much more damage will the miasmic Martin do between now and then?

In the meantime, we will do our job. Part of that job is to report on Martin's monthly mish-mosh of mismanaged council meetings. Last night was no exception. The meetings have changed though. They now have a sinister feel to them. What is now happening goes well beyond Martin's incredible incompetence. What is now happening is a manifestation of a malevolent Martin no longer held accountable by a council with the clear courage to question him.

Martin has surrounded himself with goons who use intimidation to get their way. The first sign last night? Two Kenton County Police Cruisers and a Sheriff's unit were sitting in the City Building parking lot to serve as a stern warning to any dissidents who might consider stepping out of line.

We also saw Toad McMurtry push back against legitimate Open Records requests for his invoices and letter of engagement, saying that the information is covered by "attorney-client privilege". Excuse us? Who is paying your invoices, Toad? Why, that would be THE TAXPAYERS. And they don't have the right to see your invoices? We'll see about that.

McMurtry was asked if the implementation of Martin's radical plan to "outsource" police protection could be done unilaterally by Martin or would it require approval by council. Surprisingly, McMurtry said he didn't know. Despite the fact that the issue has been discussed for months. Some conclude that McMurtry was simply waiting for the question to be asked, thus allowing him TO BILL THE TAXPAYERS FOR HIS RESEARCH.

The meeting was filled with more ham-handed attempts to embarrass the police department as well. Vile ancient crocodile Councilman Mary Koenig claimed she contacted police agencies all over Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati and none of them have their first and second-in-command on duty at the same time (an obvious shot at Chief Goodenough and Detective Schutzman).

To his credit, Chief Goodenough told the sea-hag Koenig that she was incorrect. Goodenough then asked Koenig is she had bothered to inquire if the first and second-in-command at these other police agencies patrol the streets (as Goodenough and Schutzman do). Koenig's stunned silence was all the answer needed.

Oh, you knew that Holly Menninger-Isenhour had to say something stupid. She didn't let us down. After getting flummoxed as she was asking questions about the police home fleet, she looked at the mendacious Martin and asked, "You did want me to bring this up, didn't you?" If she wasn't so dangerous she would be hilarious.

Finally for now, the best line of the night was uttered by a woman leaving the council chambers at the conclusion of the meeting. She shook her head and said, "That Martin is disgusting. He looks like A GOOFY BEAVER sitting up there chomping on his gum with that (EXPLETIVE)-eating grin on his stupid face".

[EDITOR'S NOTE: We are simply reporting what was said at the conclusion of last night's meeting. We mean no disrespect to the Tri-State area's lovable beaver population.]

Council Meeting Tonight

The Martin Chronicles will provide a full report on tonight's Villa Hills City Council meeting. As always, it should be interesting. We suspect that many more questions will be raised than answered. The potential for fireworks? There is no way to know.

Our sources are telling us that some of Villa Hills new council members are already deeply discouraged. Why? Because it has become presently clear to them that their new council can't fix the mounting problems of malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's troubled town. This realization comes only six months in to what voters desperately hoped would be Martin's "Golden Moment". Instead? Just more of the same-or worse.

We bet you can guess what hasn't changed. New council members are dismayed by Martin's almost reflexive habit of telling LIE after LIE after LIE after LIE after LIE. And when Martin isn't LYING? Well, he simply isn't replying to any of their huge back log of requests for information.

The conclusion? The election that will be held on November 4, 2014 is the next, best hope to get the once well-run City back on track. That  can only happen if the voters show the mismanaging Martin the exit.

Why the frustration with Martin? There are many examples. Let's look at just one.

You don't have to drive more than 100 feet to pass a "Keep OUR Villa Hills Police Department" yard sign. Even still, Martin is pressing full speed ahead with his radical plan to disband the Villa Hills PD. He has stocked all of the relevant committees with his hillbilly cronies and hate mongers, guaranteeing that he will hear nothing but support for his reckless radicalism.

The malevolent Martin has taken several provocative steps designed to squelch public opposition to his plan as well. He signed an Executive Order giving him sweeping, unprecedented power to have people arrested at meetings. He has his TAXPAYER-FUNDED GOON SQUAD issuing threats against employees, employee's family members, elected officials and residents. The abuse of power is astonishing.

There is also the question of the "audited" police payroll numbers that are being circulated around town. It seems that the only people who can't get a copy of those payroll numbers are the same people on council who came out strongly opposed to Martin's radical "outsourcing" plan at the recent public hearing. That seems very strange.

There is also some question about who actually gathered the payroll numbers. Those council people who seem to be supporting some version of "outsourcing" are claiming it was one of the other council people who supports "outsourcing". Why are these people suddenly running from the numbers that they have been distributing all over town?

Some are theorizing that these council people know the numbers aren't accurate. Were the numbers compiled simply to get the residents upset with the police department? It's unclear if we will ever know the answer to that question.

As one observer recently commented, "If Martin was telling the truth about outsourcing to save money, why did he just hire a City Administrator and another public works employee? Why did we (EXPLETIVE) money away on a stupid FUNFEST? This is a vendetta, plain and simple". We agree.

Even if the demise of the current police department is-as Holly Menninger-Isenhour has been telling anyone who will listen-"a done deal", the strong show of public support for the department should continue. In fact, many more people should get involved.

Unlike the new council who have already grown weary of dealing with the dishonest and inept Martin, the public must stay engaged. They must continue to work hard all the way until Election Day, 2014, when they can give Martin the final boot he has long-deserved.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: How ironic that Villa Hills wasted SEVERAL THOUSAND TAXPAYER DOLLARS co-presenting a "FUNFEST" with Crescent Springs. First, how many other Kenton County Cities actually subsidized the "FUNFEST" for the Kenton County 911 Memorial with taxpayer dollars? Second, a 911 Memorial generally honors the bravery of First Responders. You know, like police! Crescent Springs Mayor Jim Collett has already ditched his local PD and the mismanaging Martin is well on his way to disbanding the Villa Hills PD. Boy Howdy!]







Martin's Big Bonus Still Unresolved

The Martin Chronicles wonders if Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin is actually happy about all of the turmoil he has created with the discovery of his no-longer-secret, radical plan to disband the Villa Hills Police Department? That may seem strange. But remember, we are talking about a very strange Martin.

Why would this turmoil make Martin happy? Think about it. When people are spending their time fretting about Martin dismantling their PD, they aren't thinking about the $23,000 TAXPAYER-FUNDED BONUS CHECK THAT MARTIN RECENTLY PAID HIMSELF.  The mendacious Martin is betting that the wahoo ass-hats who comprise the bulk of his support can't multi-task. It's obvious that Martin really doesn't care what the rest of us think. Just look at how he is ignoring the public's wish to stop his push to outsource.

It takes a great deal of raw nerve for an insipid, sanctimonious scandal-monger like Martin to sign a purchase order authorizing a $23,000 TAXPAYER-FUNDED BONUS PAYMENT TO HIMSELF. Say what you will. It certainly has at the very least the appearance of impropriety. Some on council continue to ask Martin for proper documentation of this transaction. None has been produced. We don't expect it ever will be produced.

If Martin has learned anything over the dreadful two-and-a-half years of his mis-administration, he has learned that council can't really compel him to do anything. The previous council certainly had no luck convincing him he should do something as obvious as obeying the law. Why should he worry about something as trivial as proper documentation for his $23,000 TAXPAYER-FUNDED CASH EXPLOSION BONUS?

Martin believes the current council will be extremely reluctant to press him too hard on HIS TAXPAYER-FUNDED BONUS. He may be right. The memory of his loony hillbilly lynch mob bullying the previous council at other public forums is most likely fresh in each one's memory. Who wants to listen to backstabbing pinheads wax ineloquently about the "wonderful things" Martin does for people?

But why wasn't this handled less controversially? Sure, Martin's personal-and now also TAXPAYER-FUNDED CITY-Attorney Toad McMurtry's billings seem extremely high either way. But if Martin had simply authorized the City to pay McMurtry the $23,000 directly it would have made a lot more sense. Toad could have then reimbursed the miscreant Martin for any amount that the itinerant handyman had already paid.

No, this issue has not been resolved. Nor has it gone away. Things around town are about to get much, much worse.



Word Games

The Martin Chronicles feels compelled to write it again. Nobody supports our men and women in the armed forces more than we do. No reluctance. No hesitation. And, we support the construction of the 911 memorial. Unequivocally.

But when Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin claims that his troubled town can no longer afford to protect itself, how can he justify spending THOUSANDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS on something called a "FUNFEST"? Does that make sense?

We don't care that Holly Menninger-Isenhour was already slurring her words during the announcement about the water balloon toss, telling people "first served, first come (?)". We don't care (too much) that vile ancient crocodile Councilman Mary Koenig did an unnerving version of the Cha-Cha. We don't care about any of that.

But we do care about the fact that Martin, Menninger-Isenhour, Koenig and others DON'T SUPPORT the people that keep them and the rest of the residents safe every day. We do care about wasting money on "FUN" when Martin, Menninger-Isenhour, Koenig and others say we can't afford "SAFETY". Talk about gross mismanagement.

Don't be fooled by what was said at the recent public hearing. Want a great example? Koenig slyly said she would only support "outsourcing as a last resort". Martin and the rest of his slippery supporters have been vacationing at that "last resort" since his dirtbag 2010 mayoral campaign. In Martin's low-voltage mind, the police department is already gone.

Beware of another trick Martin and his cronies have up their sleeves. They are playing word games. Martin and his cronies are changing "Keep OUR Villa Hills Police Department" to "Save OUR Villa Hills Police Department." It's a distinction with a difference. Check it yourself. Councilman Wischer actually changed the sign he has in his yard to read that way.

So why are they doing that? That's easy. Martin is going to fire Police Chief Dan Goodenough and Detective Joe Schutzman. As we told you weeks ago, he will then claim he has "SAVED" the Villa Hills Police Department, kicking off his 2014 re-election campaign oddly portraying himself as the City's "saviour".

Better yet for Martin? He will finally have his long-sought revenge against the two police officers he blames for his 2007 FORGERY ARREST.

WEEKENDER: It Takes A Village Idiot?

The Martin Chronicles is more than mildly pleased that our plucky little blog is ticking off Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin, his TAXPAYER-FUNDED GOON SQUAD and his dwindling band of hillbilly supporters. We're glad they're ticked off. Because we and a lot of Villa Hills residents are ticked off too. Why? It's about the rampant incompetence and corruption that is the last two-and-a-half years of the miasmic Martin's Reign of Error.

Oh, there is more. Martin's TAXPAYER-FUNDED GOONS have launched a REAL, TAXPAYER-FUNDED WITCH HUNT. They have issued threats to employees, elected officials and residents in a thuggish attempt to prevent the truth about the malevolent Martin from reaching the light of day.

These slack-jawed street-brawlers think that one person is making life miserable for them. They couldn't be more wrong. As we have been telling our readers since October 2011, The Martin Chronicles has a full staff of professionals tracking down the many stories of the malevolent Martin's mayhem. The Martin Chronicles also has a large network of informants and sources all over the Tri-State area.

Rest assured that:

• Whenever Martin cracks open a safe with a backhoe-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin walks away from his promise to repeal the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin whips the civic club ass clowns in to a wahoo frenzy with his "F" him, "F" her, "F" them riff - we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin torches, shreds or otherwise illegally destroys City records-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin foolishly ignores allegations of sexual harassment-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin violates State Open Records statutes-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin surrounds himself with TAXPAYER-FUNDED CRONY HIRES-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin RAISES YOUR TAXES BY THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT ALLOWED BY LAW-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin misuses City personnel and resources-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin files a false police report-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin hires his personal attorney-Toad McMurtry-to also serve as TAXPAYER-FUNDED City Attorney-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin hires a City Administrator disguised as a City Clerk-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin's SECRET, RADICAL PLAN TO DESTROY THE VILLA HILLS POLICE DEPARTMENT is uncovered-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin sparks a near-riot at a council meeting resulting from his complete lack of professionalism-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin cuts himself a TAXPAYER-FUNDED $23,000 BONUS CHECK-we'll be there.
• Whenever Martin turns loose his TAXPAYER-FUNDED GOON SQUAD to squash the residents' freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and right to petition government for the redress of grievances-we'll be there.
• And, The Great Spirit willing, when Martin gavels his final, miserable meeting to adjournment in December, 2014-we'll be there.

And we'll be throwing one helluva party.

Martin And His Fellow Bullies

The Martin Chronicles is watching Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin and his hillbilly lynchmob run their PD scam. It's not very good. In fact, its extremely ham-handed. But Martin is betting it all that the public remains as ill-informed as when they elected him in 2010. It's a bet he just might win.

So what's going on? Let's look at some of the elements of Martin's PD scam:

#1. Martin has kept the police department under-staffed for his entire dreadful two-and-a-half years mismanaging the City. What has followed? A huge spike in crime.

Now Martin's goons are using the crime wave Martin himself has caused as twisted justification to get rid of the police department. Why? The goons say because the police department can't protect the City. Twisted logic, yes. But it may just work.

#2. Martin and his personal-and now TAXPAYER-FUNDED City-Attorney Toad McMurtry have spent a great deal of time DEFAMING the Police Chief and Detective.

To what end? Sure, we know Toad was trying to protect his undeserving client. But Toad has a dual purpose for accusing the Police Chief and Detective of being unethical and committing criminal acts. Martin and Toad McMurtry are fomenting ill will towards the police department. They want the residents to be as relieved getting rid of their PD as they would be scraping that last bit of dog poop off their shoe.

We have to laugh when we hear loons talk about all of the nice things Martin does for people. Perhaps those same loons should ask the City's employees about what Martin has done to them. It's both shocking and disgraceful.

So far, that DISGRACEFUL STRATEGY  hasn't worked. At least not with the majority of the residents. But that could change.

#3. Martin is painting a false picture of the cost of the Villa Hills Police Department. How so? Well, the payroll is inflated now. But why? Because of the fact that Martin's refusal to fully staff the police department has let to skyrocketing overtime costs.

Martin and others are on council are trying to foment upset against the police department by distributing a trumped-up document revealing police payroll. While we aren't surprised that the document has got the hillbilly ass-hats at the civic club whipped up, we think most people will see right through this Martin LIE.

The City Auditor offered written advice to Martin that fully staffing the police department would actually save hundreds of thousands of dollars in overtime. Martin's response? There has been none.

The Martin Chronicles was happy to hear council members Baehner, Balson and Cahill come out in strong support for the Villa Hills Police Department at last week's sham of a public hearing. But as we have written before, we hope all three of them realize that Martin doesn't need their vote to enact his RADICAL PLAN.

The rumor mill is grinding at its highest gear about Martin's "nuclear option". Koenig, Menninger-Isenhour and others have been quite open about the likelihood of Martin terminating Chief Goodenough and Detective Schutzman.

We are also working on stories that are rippling across town about an assault that Martin's team has launched on both Open Meetings and Open Records statutes. What we have learned so far is shocking.

Martin and his fellow bullies will do a whole lot more damage between now and 11-04-14.





The Degrading-est Show On Earth

The Martin Chronicles remembers the article in last December's weekly newspaper. Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin self-absorbingly pined for what he described as "good publicity". After he was CONVICTED ON SEVEN OF NINE COUNTS OF OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT and NEGLECT OF DUTY last October, one would have thought any future publicity Martin received would have to be better.

Then Martin's SECRET, RADICAL PLAN TO DISBAND THE VILLA HILLS POLICE DEPARTMENT and OUTSOURCE FOR (LESS SAFE) PROTECTION was accidentally revealed by a cub reporterette. The fallout? Martin's mischief is causing deep embarrassment for the once-proud City of Villa Hills yet again.

You probably know that P.T. Barnum is credited with making the observation that there is no such thing as bad publicity. Barnum travelled all across the globe. He saw every form of freak and oddity. Well, almost every form of freak and oddity. We suspect even P. T. Barnum would have to amend his comments about bad publicity after a meeting with the freak and oddity that is the mendacious Martin.

Channel 5 presented a news package about the latest turmoil in Villa Hills on Monday. Despite the fact that her home had recently been burglarized, one resident sung the praises of the Villa Hills Police Department. The News 5 reporter made a point of showing all of the yellow "Keep Our Villa Hills Police Department" signs lining up and down Rogers Road. We are sure you are aware that 720 Rogers Road is the headquarters of the disgraceful Martin.

The best part of the news report? Channel 5's newshound is seen leaving the City Building after unsuccessfully seeking a comment from the mayhemic Martin. The voice of Martin's assistant clerk can be heard saying, "the mayor says he's in conference". Uh-huh. If the assistant clerk could have told the truth, her comment would have been, "the mayor says he's in hiding".

Here's our prediction. Martin is going to try to have it both ways. His whole "outsourcing" push has really only been about his vendetta against Chief Goodenough and Detective Schutzman anyway. Based on recent comments by Menninger-Isenhour, the hag Koenig and others, we believe Martin will simply "outsource" the management of the police department (READ: FIRE GOODENOUGH AND SCHUTZMAN).

There are plenty of clues leading us this way. A document designed to mislead people in to believing that Goodenough and Schutzman are grossly overpaid was circulated at the recent sham of a public hearing. Sources also confirm that Martin and others have been giving the same false document to the ass-hats at the civic club in order to work those stupid hillbillies up in to a freak show frenzy.

Martin's two-and-a-half disgraceful years in the mayor's office have been a non-stop stream of incompetence and corruption. In point of fact, that stream is increasing in intensity. We are developing several stories on that.

But don't count Martin out just yet. He will stand for re-election in 538 days. We suspect he will still have the support of many of the civic club ass-hats. Martin will also mobilize whatever is left of his hillbilly lynchmob to spread DEFAMATION, SLANDER and LIBEL against whoever his opponent will be. Martin and his loud-mouthed wife will spread tales of woe about how no one will work with him to "move the City forward". In other words, it will be DIRTBAG MAYORAL CAMPAIGN 2.0.

Maybe, just maybe, the fact that Martin will also have a miserable record for voters to consider this time will make the difference. November 4, 2014 can't get here soon enough.

Creepy Cabana Boy Bohman

The Martin Chronicles says the early reviews of vile ancient crocodile Councilman Mary Koenig's Cabana Boy City Administrator disguised as a City Clerk Craig Bohman have not been flattering.Yes, we know. Well-respected denizens of Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's war-torn town like Councilman Jim Cahill and former Covington Mayor Butch Callery have given Bohman their "highest recommendation". Uh-huh. Alrighty then.

We also hear that meto 3130, kenton county1 and skittel like Bohman a lot. But the people who have actually interacted with Cabana Boy? Not so much.

We're still talking to sources to determine the problems with Bohman. We will have a lot more soon. But here is some of what we have already heard.

Bohman's very peculiar penchant for spying on City employees is alarming. Covertly tailing people and taking cell phone photos of them is not remotely normal activity for someone who is in his first week on the job. Unless of course the moon-shining Martin really hired Bohman with TAXPAYER MONEY to be his "double-naught" spy.

Some residents are concerned that the bizarre Bohman may be keeping an eye on non-employees as well. The word on the street? People should keep their blinds closed.

Words describing Bohman run the usual gamut of most things associated with the meat-headed Martin: weird; strange; odd; bizarre; peculiar; abnormal; wacky. The number one description of Bohman to date? Survey says? CREEPY.

As we have already reported, Bohman was obviously up to his ear lobes in a (not-surprisingly) FAILED stunt to end the public hearing on a pro-Martin note. How? Bohman was planning to call the handful of police-haters to the podium at the close of public comment. But Bohman and the other police-haters got a case of the goo-goos when it became undeniably clear that a huge majority of the residents in attendance are adamantly oppose Martin's radical plan to disband the Villa Hills Police Department.

Witnesses also say that Bohman was acting in an intentionally provocative manner towards employee family members after the public hearing. Why would Bohman act in such a bizarre way? Some say they believe Bohman is trying to provoke some sort of incident that will hand Martin and others on council the phony cover they've been wanting to begin firing people.

Bohman was overheard defending his penchant for spying on people. Cabana Boy said, "You don't have to worry if you're not doing anything wrong." So its not just Martin trashing residents' First Amendment rights. He has his City Administrator disguised as a City Clerk attacking residents' Fourth Amendment rights as well.

How so? Not surprisingly, Cabana Boy has it backward. The US Constitution expressly forbids government from spying on people without this little thing called probable cause. Every time we start to think it can't get worse, Martin finds a way to sink to new depths.

Martin has to be sent packing back to Norwood on November 4, 2014. That is now just a mere 539 days away and counting. The new mayor then needs to make sure the likes of  Cabana Boy, personal and City Attorney Toad McMurty and the $47.50-per-hour-crony-hire- bucketheaded-bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber all immediately go out the door with him.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: The Martin Chronicles will soon be welcoming its 120,000th visitor. Martin's mayhem certainly is getting peoples' attention these days!]



What's The Frequency, Martin?

The Martin Chronicles listens to Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin offer up his explanations for all of the truly inexplicable things he has done and continues to do and wonders if he believes what he's saying. If he does,  Martin fits the classic definition of PATHOLOGICAL LIAR perfectly.

How many different versions of his efforts to push his radical plan to disband the Villa Hills Police Department and contract with another City for (LESS SAFE) protection is Martin going to tell? Just read Martin's own words spewed in just the the past two months-in the order he spewed them:

• "I was approached by four different Cities."
• "I approached four different Cities."
• "I haven't met with anyone yet."
• "I just remembered that I have meet with four different Cities and Kenton County."
• "The decision's been made."
• "We aren't going to do anything until at least August. Maybe later."
• "I promise I'll come to council before I move forward to "outsource" police protection."
• "I am going to outsource police protection to have more money to repair streets."
• "I'm going to form a committee to look at outsourcing and hope to make a decision this fall."

Is Martin just a pathological liar? Has he completely slipped the surly bounds of reality? Or, is Martin just a little, tin pot dictator who is simply going to do whatever he wants.

It might be funny if it wasn't so serious.

What's it all about then?

Councilman Jim Cahill was quite clear about his opposition to Martin's radical plan to disband the police department at last week's public hearing. We are happy to see that. Cahill doesn't seem to be at all clear about the source of all of the turmoil however. That is a bit confusing and disappointing.

Who does Cahill think is responsible for the push for "outsourcing"? Who does Cahill think had been LYING about his plan for "outsourcing" until he was tripped up by a cub reporterette?

C'mon Councilman Cahill. Of course it is about Martin.

FUNFEST? Seriously?

First of all, we support the troops and 911 memorial efforts. That isn't the point. The point is, if Mike Martin believes Villa Hills cannot afford to operate its own police department, why is he spending EVEN ONE PENNY co-presenting a flippin'  FUNFEST? Why is he even opening the City to even the possibility of spending EVEN ONE PENNY? Live Bands? Fireworks? Fun for the kids?

HOW ABOUT FUNDING A FULLY-STAFFED POLICE DEPARTMENT? Where in the world are Martin's PRIORITIES?

WEEKENDER: Martin's "Texas Hailstorm"

The Martin Chronicles beloved-except by the police-hating woman who is driving our readership to unbelievable heights by her lunatic rants-publisher is an enthusiastic student of history. He shared some observations about Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's current situation at this morning's editorial meeting,

"Our boy Martin is in a real pickle. This reminds me of old Lyndon Johnson's quote about how the quagmire of the Viet Nam war tore apart the nation and destroyed his presidency. Johnson said the Viet Nam war made him feel " like a hitchhiker in a Texas hailstorm. I can't run, I can't hide and I can't make it go away".

Why was that? Because LBJ did not want to cave in. He had one side pushing him to escalate the war and the other side pushing him to end it. Seeking to appeal to both sides, both sides ended up hating him.

The pig-headed Martin also refuses to back off of his no-longer-secret radical plan to disband the Villa Hills PD and "outsource" (LESS SAFE) protection to another department. While he's most likely too stupid to realize it, he's managed to get himself stuck in a vise.

A large, visible and vocal portion of Villa Hills is adamantly opposed to Martin's radical plan. This large group is energized and most likely won't forget Martin's treachery come November 4, 2014 (at least we hope so). Martin's shamockery of a public hearing designed to make him look somehow reasonable completely backfired. His opposition is more energized-and better funded-than ever before.

On Martin's other flank are a group of radicals and opportunists hell-bent on him seeing his plan to destroy the VHPD all the way through. No matter the cost.

The opportunists? The massively-unpopular bilious blowhard Kenton Kounty Judge Executive Steve Arlinghaus is clearly one. He wants to curry favor with Villa Hills residents by riding in on his white Kounty Kruiser to save the day. And maybe save his faltering political career.

The radicals? New council member Brian R. Wischer is clearly one of those. At the public hearing he claimed he got elected to run Villa Hills "like a business". Oh really? Is that a fact?

First of all, government is not "a business". Government is obligated to provide services that private businesses usually won't.  And why is that? Mostly because they generally aren't profitable services. The "run government like a business" pap is just red meat for Tea Party goons and other government-haters. It's also mostly fantasy.

But for the sake of discussion, let's do something really crazy and say Wischer is on to something. Would a private business REDUCE ITS SECURITY while simultaneously expanding its costly clerical, maintenance and legal staff to unprecedented levels? Only if it was hoping to go out of business quickly.

If this was a serious attempt to reduce costs, why not look at Mary Koenig's public works department instead? Virtually all of the street repair work is already contracted out. Contract with a snow removal company, only paying them when you need them. Contract with someone to maintain the ballfields, only when the fields need maintaining. No, this police "outsourcing" effort is not an attempt to "run government like a business". It's a vendetta, pure, plain and simple. 

Hey, we're all for putting Martin out of business. 11-4-14 can't get here soon enough.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: One quipster says there's even more to this Viet Nam war connection with Martin. He wagged, "Martin's 'Viet Nam war movie' would be similar to a Francis Ford Coppola Viet Nam war-era classic. It would be titled A PACK OF LIES NOW". Well played, quipster. Well played.]

"The horror. The horror."



Public Hearing News and Notes: Chapter One

The Martin Chronicles was happy to see the hundreds of residents who attended last night's public hearing at River Ridge Elementary School in Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's troubled town. People are finally engaged. That is a great thing. People were taking pro-police signs and donating money to the efforts of the police supporters.

Opening the meeting:
It was obvious that Martin was more nervous than an ant at an aardvark convention at the beginning of last night's meeting. He did manage to stumble and fumble through a non-sensical introduction without (obviously) wetting his pants.

Martin gave everyone-with the obvious exception of his few supporters who attended-three minutes to speak their peace. He frequently interrupted those who opposed him with, "you've got to wrap it up" jabs. The few who spoke for disbanding the police were never interrupted. Typical.

You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing.:
A huge majority of the attendees were clear supporters of maintaining a local police department. Several commenters spoke truth to Martin's treachery, saying that Martin's efforts have nothing to do with "saving money" and everything to do with his vendetta against the police department he blames for his 2007 FORGERY ARREST.

Sources tell us that there was an obvious scam being run by Martin, Cabana-Boy-City-Administrator- disguised-as-a-City-Clerk Craig Bohman and Martin's fellow police-haters. A few police-haters  had signed up at the end of the list intentionally, hoping to close the meeting on a pro-Martin note. When they saw the huge groundswell of support for the police, the police-haters backed off. The tip-off that it was pre-arranged? Cabana Boy Bohman-who controlled the sign-in sheet-didn't even call on the police haters.

"I trust this mayor":
The most bizarre moment-and therefore the one television media paid attention to-came when a woman spoke in support of "outsourcing", falsely claiming that's what every other Northern Kentucky City is doing. The reality? It hasn't worked well in most cases. Including in neighboring Crescent Springs.

The woman lost all credibility when she said, "I trust this mayor", ignoring Martin's LIE after LIE after LIE after LIE after LIE. The truth? This woman and her husband have received a whole lot of help-on both a professional and volunteer basis-from the Villa Hills PD over the years. How is this woman and her husband repaying the police? BY STABBING THE POLICE IN THE BACK OVER AND OVER.

We do want to thank this woman for the gobs of free advertising she provided our plucky little blog. We suspect that  thanks to her rant against The Martin Chronicles last night-we have already shattered all readership records today!

We all enjoyed the show she put on last night. We enjoyed it a lot. A whole, whole lot.

Giving credit where credit is due:
The Martin Chronicles has been justifiably hard on the new council at times. But three of them really stepped up last night. Council members Baehner, Balson and Cahill could not have been more explicit about their opposition to Martin's plan to disband the Villa Hills Police Department. We salute them. We also hope they remember that Martin can break a tie vote to disband the police department.

Kenton Kounty Kop Konnection?:
One Kenton County Sheriff cruiser and one Kenton County Police cruiser were parked on the River Ridge Elementary lot last night. Were they providing TAX-PAYER FUNDED security for the Bilious Blowhard Judge Executive Steve Arlinghaus, who was in attendance? Was it a heavy-handed attempt to intimidate attendees? We suspect it was BOTH.

So much for the "postage savings":
For some bizarre reason, Martin seems obsessed with hanging his size 5 1/4 hat on his alleged factoid that the proof he "runs a tight ship" is that he "saved a $1,000 on postage". One pundit at last night's public hearing quipped, "What a joke. The little fella already blew the thousand bucks he claims to have saved buying those 9 stupid chairs for the council chambers. Well, 8 chairs-and a stool for Toad!"

Thoughts on the other media coverage:
Over all, the other media did a nice job covering the meeting. Despite the over-attention paid to the aforementioned police-hating woman.

We do want to address a couple of things in LOCAL 12's morning report.

First, veteran reporter Larry Davis said Martin "IS going to outsource to find money to fix the City's streets." Not "hopes to". Not "wants to". The reliable Davis said, "IS". That is telling.

Next, the man riding the anchor desk added a tag at the end of the report, saying that, "Villa Hills and neighboring Crescent Springs have been sharing a fire department and life squad for several years". We don't think the anchor was being intentionally misleading. In fact, the anchor is a fine person. But his comments need clarification.

You see, the fire department that the anchor referred to EXISTED EVEN BEFORE THE CITY OF VILLA HILLS WAS INCORPORATED. This "sharing" is nothing new. In point of fact, it didn't begin as "sharing". That distinction is very important.

Besides-while the fire department and life squad provide excellent service-they do not patrol the City's streets in an effort to curtail the tidal wave of crime in Villa Hills. That job is reserved for the police department. A LOCAL, FULLY-STAFFED police department can do it best.

More coming up.

What We Know And Don't Know

The Martin Chronicles believes most of you are aware that Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin will be presiding over a special meeting at River Ridge Elementary School tonight purportedly to take public comment on his plan to outsource police protection. We certainly hope many of you will join our reporting staff at the meeting. Despite the fact that it is yet another Martin foul-up. Let’s get prepped.

Here is some of what we know heading in to Wednesday’s meeting:

1.       Martin probably won’t have any substantial plan for outsourcing available for public scrutiny, despite the fact that he has been working on his plan since August, 2010. You know. Even before he narrowly eked out his mayoral victory that was built on a veritable MOUNTAIN OF LIES.

2.       There is a huge grassroots effort underway expressing strong public support for the Villa Hills Police Department.

3.       Martin has finally admitted that he has already met with other agencies to discuss outsourced police protection. As far as Martin is concerned, disbanding the Villa Hills Police Department is a GIVEN.

4.       Councilwoman Holly Isenhour-Menninger has been telling residents that outsourcing is a “DONE DEAL”. A sworn statement about those comments and others that will most likely get her SUED (YES, YOU TAXPAYERS WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO PAY FOR HER DEFENSE) from the foolish mouth of Isenhour-Menninger herself is being secured.

5.       Martin has told several people that he is DEFINITELY putting police protection out for bid.

Here are questions we have for Martin (that we know he can’t answer):

You say you are looking to outsource police protection as a way to “save money”. If you’re goal is “saving money”, why have you:

1.       Increased the City Attorney line item in your budget by at least FORTY PERCENT?

2.       Why are you actually paying both attorneys Toad McMurtry and Robert Winters to perform work for the City?

3.       Why are you planning to hire another public works employee?

4.       Why did you hire a City Administrator disguised as yet another clerk?

5.       Why did you just spend $1,000 for new furniture you didn’t need?

6.       Why did you spend $7,000 attempting to have a City employee terminated?

7.       Why do you continue to ignore the Auditor’s advice that hiring the eighth police officer would SAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR in overtime?

8.       Why are you INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES BY THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT ALLOWED BY LAW?

Something else people should consider, before it’s too late:

Kenton County Judge Executive Steve Arlinghaus took a dog-and-pony show from City to City, promising that his plan to consolidate Emergency Dispatch Services under the supervision of the County would “save one million dollars”. The reality? To be as kind as we can be, the real savings? Timpani! There are NO SAVINGS. What the world needs now is TRUTH, SWEET TRUTH. We didn’t get it from Arlinghaus. We aren’t getting it from Martin.

You see, Martin has kept the police department understaffed for two and-a-half years. Administration can get another employee. Public works can get another employee. Martin can employ multiple attorneys to work for the City. But the police? Martin steadfastly refuses to hire the eighth officer. Interesting, isn’t it?

 

The public hearing is tonight.