We are reminded that the City Council recently decided by a 4-2 vote to "unrestrict" funds in the City budget. Why? So that Martin's hands weren't tied by those budget restrictions as the fiscal year wound down. So what has happened? It appears that Martin has decided to spend much of those unrestricted funds on attorneys and legal actions.
Oh, and these projected costs do not include any lawsuits that will likely arise from Martin's most recent debacle. Sure, the City's insurance carrier will cover much of the expense of those looming lawsuits. But what will happen to the City's insurance premiums as a result?
One local wag recently quipped that, "Martin has to be a leading contender for the Bar Association's Man of the Year Award. He's been a real boon for local attorneys. Heck, he's using our money to pay at least six attorneys right now. Three attorneys for his Civil Service mess, one attorney to sue the residents over the license fee, one attorney to attend the Code Enforcement meetings and City Attorney Toad V. McMurtry".
The absurdity worsened when Martin informed the Civil Service Board that he was using more taxpayer money to sue them. Oh, it gets even worse. Even more taxpayer money will be used to defend the Civil Service Board from Martin's lawsuit. Look for it to get even crazier.
Many are wondering why Martin doesn't want the Civil Service Board to hear his charges against Schutzman. People want to know why Martin insists on wasting so much taxpayer money to stop the process. The rumor mill offers some possible explanations.
- Is there an odd voice message from a City official challenging someone's statutorily-guaranteed right to attend any open meeting?
- Is there some documentation that a City official has threatened to file suit against one or more elected officials?
- Have witnesses come forward saying that hearsay statements provided by a City official are false?
- Is there a recording of Martin's profane outburst against the Civil Service Board about to surface?
If these and other rumors are true it could explain a few things. Martin and others would certainly want to avoid the embarrassment-or worse-that would arise from such revelations.
Something tells us all of this will all see the light of day either way.
