The Fog Of War

The Martin Chronicles has been following the recent-sometimes heated-exchanges in a Facebook comment stream. At issue? Did a current councilperson make an insulting gesture while a former councilperson was addressing the assembly from the podium during the July council meeting?

As dreadful as Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin-run meetings are, we decided to gut it out and take another look. After our review, the Facebook comment stream appears to be a case of what famed Prussian military analyst Carl von Clausewitz famously described as "the fog of war".

How so? There seems to be a case of misidentification. It was actually former Councilman Scott Ringo-not Tim Sogar-who addressed the very serious issue of a reprimand that somehow managed to disappear not long after it was read in to the record at Martin's October, 2012 removal hearing.

That misidentification in no way lessens the seriousness of the issue being addressed, however. Keep in mind that a judge gave very specific instructions and a stern warning to Martin in mid-2012 that no City records were to be destroyed after concerns about a document "shred-fest" surfaced at the City Building in the midst of an ongoing lawsuit. That lawsuit is still ongoing. So, might the disappearance of the reprimand be in violation of the judge's instructions? That will be for others to decide.

That is not the only potential problem created by the vanishing reprimand. As we have already written, it also appears to betray a Martin double standard. Why? Think about it? An employee whose testimony aided Martin during the removal hearing has a reprimand disappear while Martin goes full force after someone who testified against him last October, Assistant Chief Joe Schutzman. That too will have to play out.

Then there is the matter of a councilperson who campaigned on the need for what she described as "civility" demonstrating insulting behavior towards a resident who doesn't share her "world view". Yes, it's offensive. Yes, it's unprofessional. And yes, it betrays an arrogance that derives from misinterpreting her election as some kind of mandate to do whatever she pleases (a delusion Martin has suffered from since he took office). Hopefully, that will be resolved in the 2014 election. Once again, we'll be watching that play out.

There are other items of interest contained in the Facebook comment stream. Let us once again preface the following observations with our traditional homage to the First Amendment. We are obviously huge supporter of and believers in that sacred right to Free Speech. We are also perfectly fine with people who don't share our "world view". That is what makes the world go 'round. Well, at least the "free world".

We do find it amusing though that a handful of people seem to think the fact that the mayor serving way back in the 1990's took his hard-working public works crew to the restaurant they requested-yes, the infamous Hooters-somehow justifies all of the current disasters. Would it have been okay if that mayor took his employees to dine with Burger Chef and Jeff more than fifteen years ago?

• Does that oddly infamous Hooter's lunch more than fifteen years ago justify spending tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on lawyers and lawsuits today?
• Does that oddly infamous Hooter's lunch more than fifteen years ago justify all of the horrendously vindictive attacks being launched by Martin and his cronies on the Villa Hills Police Department today?
• Does that oddly infamous Hooter's lunch more than fifteen years ago justify pouring fifteen thousand taxpayer dollars in to a park that abuts the properties of two current council members today?
• Does that oddly infamous Hooter's lunch more than fifteen years ago justify all of the financial turmoil and uncertainty that besets City government today?
• Does that oddly infamous Hooter's lunch more than fifteen years ago justify Martin signing a purchase order that paid him the equivalent of ten years of mayoral salary in advance (more than twenty-three thousand taxpayer dollars) today?

We obviously don't agree with the Facebook posters who are trying to create this "moral equivalency" as some kind of justification for Martin's rampant corruption and mismanagement today. These posters are entitled to their opinions. But we aren't required to agree with them.

Oh, one more thing (as the great Lt. Columbo used to say). Those who still carp about the money that was spent on the Special Counsel investigation of Martin's wrongdoings (he was convicted on seven of nine counts of Official Misconduct and Neglect of Duty in a proceeding overseen by respected Judge Mickey Foellger but wasn't removed from office because two former council people "went in the tank" for the diminutive dictator), they should be mindful of one thing. Not one single dollar would have had to be spent if Martin had simply been forthcoming. Martin's "dodge-dip-duck-dive and dodge" tactics are what caused the investigation. It's as simple as that.

Enough of this for now. Our reporters are fanning out to follow more leads.



So Who Is Really Benefitting?

The Martin Chronicles thinks you ought to know who is benefitting most from the endless stream of -costly-to-the-taxpayers-legal actions being filed by Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin. We think we know. If you don't know, just check the closest 'lilly pad".

 



More On Martin's Lawsuit

The Martin Chronicles' reporters have been working the phones and e-mails digging in to Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's latest-wasteful-lawsuit. It seems that the malevolent Martin is suing Schutzman Inspection Service, LLC for "breach of contract", alleging that City records were destroyed.

So, it appears that Martin-who clearly appears to have breached the City's contract with Schutzman Inspection Services, LLC for failing to provide 30 days notice of termination-launched a pre-emptive strike against Schutzman. Sure sounds like harassment and retaliation to us.

This story is still developing.

[PUBLISHER'S NOTE: To the twits who think it's okay for vile ancient crocodile Councilman Mary Koenig to be rude to a former council person just because he lost an election-go swallow some more of Martin's corrupt Kool-Aid.]

Martin Files Another Lawsuit?!?!?

The Martin Chronicles is getting to the point were we are no longer surprised by anything Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin does. His Reign of Error has been one foul-up, bleep or blunder after another. So the fact that the diminutive dictator is spending even more taxpayer money on yet another lawsuit is really not a surprise.

We are hearing that Martin has filed a lawsuit that in part claims someone destroyed City records. Isn't that rich? Martin is the guy who was dressed down by a judge for well, uh, you guessed it-destroying City records.

If he wasn't spending so much taxpayer money on lawyers and legal actions we would find this comical. Instead, we just find it shameful.

We'll have more details on Martin's new lawsuit soon.

WEEKENDER: Gaming 2014

The Martin Chronicles staff spent some time "gaming" the 2014 election in malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's terribly embarrassed City of Villa Hills. It would be easy to write off a dreadful lawbreaker like the low-IQ Martin as a "dead duck". But almost to a person the staff believes that the election may very well be far more complicated than that.

What will the City's political landscape be when the election cycle begins roughly one year from now? There are many factors.

• Will Villa Hills still have its own local police department or will Martin have successfully completed his vendetta seeking revenge against the VHPD for his 2007 forgery arrest?
• Will there be one, two or perhaps even more people running against Martin next year? Rumors are swirling around a number of potential candidates who want to take on the malfeasant Martin. The more people that attempt to oust the diminutive dictator increase the odds that the unworthy liar will be re-elected and given an undeserved new life to "unleash his lawlessness" on the City.
• Will the election be about the past, settling old scores? Or, will the election properly be framed by the undeniable fact that all of the previous four years will surely have been a miserable failure that needs very little reminder with almost all the focus on the future of what could again be one of the preeminent Cities in Northern Kentucky?
• Will the mendacious Martin roll-out some draconian cost-cutting measures to try to deflect the voters away from the waste and abject failure that exemplifies most of his failed term? Most on our staff believe that is very likely.
• Will some voters fall victim to the proclamations made by elected officials who inexplicably prefaced so many serious questions about Martin's mismanagement with the nonsensical comment, "this isn't about Martin?"-when of course it's all about Martin. 
• Will some voters still buy in to the hateful and tired-out venom about "good old boy networks" and "unauthorized spending" that will certainly be spewed by the vile, ancient crocodile Councilman Mary Koenig-who herself is a leading figure in "the bad old boys network?
• Will anybody still believe the dim-witted nitwits who continue to roll out the bilge that Martin "does wonderful things for people" or foolishly proclaim that they "trust this (dishonest) mayor"? Most of our staff suspects at least some voters will buy it.

You see, The Martin Chronicles believes that if the voters perceive the 2014 election's focus is on the past, and on Martin and all the negativity that surrounds him, the little bastard might actually be re-elected.

Why? Because we know exactly what kind of campaign that "little bastard" Martin will run. Martin will falsely talk about all of the money he has "saved" the residents-despite his reckless and profligate waste.

Additionally, Martin's die-hard-and dwindling-surrogates will spread all manner of false allegations against his 2014 opponent. Much as these same doofus clowns did against his 2010 opponent. And why not? As all good football coaches know, run the same damned play until your opponent figures out a way to stop it.

So here is how a successful Martin opponent stops it. We firmly believe that the candidate who focuses solely on the future of a recently-proud City, and simply assumes that the voters understand that Martin is an unmitigated disaster- while almost never saying it-will be a hands-down winner.

Yup, the little bastard will lose in a landslide of epic proportions if his opponent runs the correct kind of campaign.

Records Retention Training? Yeah, Right . . .

The Martin Chronicles continues to sift through the rubble that was the Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's July City Council meeting. As is almost always the case when sifting through even the worst wreckage, things of value are found.   

Last night's meeting was no exception. Remember when Martin was caught red-handed illegally destroying City documents in January, 2012? That colossal screw-up led to a judicial dressing down-and stern warning-for Martin not too much later.

Martin began promising to get his administrative staff training on records retention laws almost immediately after getting caught. The diminutive dictator claimed it was their fault, after all. But, every time Martin was asked about it in subsequent meetings, he offered up some implausible excuse for his failure to get that task completed.

Perhaps the most ridiculous excuse was Martin's unsubstantiated claim that the training "cost $200". Given his current profligate waste on attorneys and legal fees that will end up being a substantial six-figure bill for the taxpayers, even if the $200 fee is accurate, it seems like one helluva bargain.

Well, Martin was asked about it again last night. He admitted no training has yet to be held. But, he claims its "on the schedule".

Here's our guess. Go to your calendar. Find the date when it says hell freezes over. The Villa Hills' staff will likely be scheduled for records retention training the following day. 

As Abraham Lincoln once famously said, "The true test of a man's character is to give him power". Martin has miserably failed that test.                                                                         

MEETING FALLOUT: Another Police Officer Leaving?

The Martin Chronicles has been told by multiple sources that another police officer is on the verge of leaving the Villa Hills Police Department. No one can only blame the officer if it is true. The local police department has been battered and bashed by malfeasant Mayor Martin since January 1, 2011. Matters have only gotten worse for the police with the election of new council members Koenig, Menninger-Isenhour and Wischer.

Martin has spent years-well before his election in 2010-shamefully painting a false picture of a local police department that ran roughshod over his Constitutional rights. Martin and his cronies have accused police officers of committing perjury and planting evidence. Now the City Attorney is offering up hearsay claims of police intimidation and the City Clerk charges he was the victim of selective traffic enforcement, despite the fact that the Clerk was never stopped much less given a citation. We will never see proof of any of these things-because they never happened.

These incessant attacks on the police department have undeniably taken a terrible toll. There is no doubt that some people now believe Martin's never-proven claims. There is also no doubt that these scurrilous attacks have done damage to the morale of the police officers themselves. They do a great job. But let's face it. They watch the mismanaging mayor, City Attorney, City Clerk and some on council ridicule them and lie about them constantly.

We wonder if anyone will be able to repair all the damage that Martin has done if the diminutive dictator does leave office on December 31, 2014. Worse yet, what is still to come?

Council Meeting Snapshot

The Martin Chronicles is sure you are no more surprised than we are that Martin and his three amigos: Koenig; Menninger-Isenhour and Wischer made their plans for the future of the Villa Hills Police Department about as official as possible at last night's council meeting. They did so via a vote against hiring two full-time police officers to shore-up Villa Hills' sorely depleted PD.

Those who have been saying that Martin and his pals plan to have this wrapped up by this fall see this as further proof. Martin and his pals can spend a fortune on unnecessary legal fees and improvement of land that abuts their personal property. But they continue to hammer away at the police department.

But why? It appears all four have some personal issue against the police. They have never made a compelling policy case for their radical plan. Oh, except for the vacuous, "we want to save a whole bunch of money" nonsense. Which of course they won't.

We are also looking in to the story behind former Interim City Clerk Sue Bree's missing written reprimand. You know, the one that was read in to the record at Martin's removal hearing last October? Well, it seems to have vanished some time over the next three months.

Did Martin remove the reprimand from Bree's file? If so, despite all of the serious problems Martin charged Bree with, she is considered "rehabilitated" in 90 days or less? But Assistant Chief Joe Schutzman is ushered out the door with zero counseling meetings on record?

We'll have more on Martin's meeting later.

Breach Of Contract?

The Martin Chronicles asks you to think back to a couple of months ago. On the morning of Thursday, May 23 Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin and others informed Assistant Chief Joe Schutzman that he was suspended without pay pending a Civil Service Board hearing where Martin planned to ask for Schutzman's termination. Martin also informed Mr. Schutzman that he was immediately terminating the contract the City of Villa Hills had with Schutzman Inspection Services to provide building and zoning services.

We have written extensively about the many foul-ups, bleeps and blunders Martin has perpetrated since that May morning. We aren't going to revisit them in this post. But there is another, related matter that may prove costly-yet again-for the taxpayers.

Our beloved publisher had one of his favorite legal minds review the Schutzman Inspection Services' contract-a contract Martin himself proposed and signed. The contract contains wording that could add fuel to Schutzman's lawsuit against Martin. 

You see, the contract states that 30 days notice is required if either party chooses to terminate that contract. Given the events of the morning of May 23, 2013, it appears that Martin provided only about 30 seconds notice. It certainly seems that a very strong case could be made for breach of contract by Mr. Schutzman's attorneys. Just what the taxpayers need. More costly legal problems. 

Let's play a little parlor game. We'll call it, "How will Martin explain this one away?". Given Martin's propensity to play fast and loose with the facts, the diminutive dictator may say something like, "I did give Schutzman 30 days notice. He just misunderstood".

Or, will Martin come up with a produced-after-the-fact letter he'll claim he provided Schutzman Inspection Services notifying the contractor of the City's intention to exit the contract in 30 days? Martin has already done something similar. Remember when he provided the previous council with another produced-after-the-fact-and as was later discovered, fraudulent-list of documents he illegally destroyed?

That approach would most likely prove a tough sell in court. Why? Because Martin held a rushed, emergency meeting on Friday, May 24-the very next day-to convince city council to authorize him to enter into a contract with the folks at Northern Kentucky Area Planning and Zoning to provide-you guessed it-building inspection services. Sadly, four council members voted to give Martin that authority having never read the agreement. Maybe Martin will blame them, huh?

Martin does seem to have a problem understanding contracts. Want another example? The City also has a contract with a bookkeeper to provide accounting services. That contract clearly states that the bookkeeper must have errors and omissions insurance to protect the taxpayers in the event of an accounting blunder. The problem? The bookkeeper does not have the contractually-required errors and omissions insurance.

The previous council asked Martin about that at a council meeting a long time ago. What did Martin say then? He said the City Attorney told him that the bookkeeper didn't have to have the insurance.

While we have only heard rumblings about it, we suspect that the attorney was taken out of context. We suspect that the attorney said that Martin did not necessarily have to include that requirement in any contract entered in to with the bookkeeper.

The problem? That insurance requirement is in the contract between the City and the bookkeeper. Again, we suspect that the attorney did not tell Martin that he could pick and choose the elements in the contract that he must enforce.

Why is that important? Because Mr. Schutzman's attorneys could legitimately claim that it is Martin himself who is guilty of "selective enforcement". We imagine that all of the people who supposedly don't care about these things very well might when these things begin to take an even bigger bite out of their wallets.

Our legal expert pointed to one more matter of concern in the Schutzman Inspection Services contract. The contract clearly states that Schutzman is not a City Employee when providing building inspection services. If so, why were the City Attorney's hearsay allegations about something someone else supposedly said Schutzman did-while serving as building inspector-included in the infamous "Bill of Particulars" presented to the Civil Service Board? That doesn't seem to make much sense.

For the record, we have nothing against Northern Kentucky Area Planning and Zoning. By most accounts, they are a dedicated, professional bunch. Besides, this isn't their problem. They will simply be providing the services the City contracted with them to provide.

No, this is just another unnecessary-and potentially very costly-fight provoked by the malfeasant Martin.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Oh, by the way, the monthly non-secret City Council meeting is tonight. Executive Session, anyone?]

Answers, Anyone?

The Martin Chronicles crack staff of excellent reporters keep their eyes and ear wide open. They hear the questions a whole lot of people of Villa Hills keep asking. So, we decided to push some of those questions out there hoping someone can come up with reasonable answers.

• How can malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin justify signing a purchase order that pays him the equivalent of nearly ten years of his mayoral salary in advance (more than $23,000)?
• How can mendacious Mayor Mike Martin justify hiring his personal attorney to serve as the taxpayer-funded City Attorney?
• How can mismanaging Mayor Mike Martin justify having at least six attorneys on his taxpayer-funded payroll?
• How does the mendacious Mayor Martin claim he "runs a tight ship" when he allows Councilmembers Mary Koenig and Holly Menninger-Isenhour to pour a taxpayer-funded $15,000 into little-used Harry Rigney Park that abuts their personal properties?
• How does the malevolent Mayor Martin really explain removing a CPA from his finance committee?
• How does the foul-mouthed Mayor Martin explain his Executive Order justifying the arrest of "unruly" residents when he has shown his vulgar language and rude behavior at multiple meetings?
• How does the myth-making Mayor Martin explain telling the City Council that Assistant Police Chief Joe Schutzman has been reinstated and is on medical leave when neither statement is true?
• How does City Attorney Toad V. McMurtry explain that his hearsay claims justify the termination of a long-serving City employee?
• How does City Clerk Craig Bohman explain his claims of "selective traffic enforcement" when Assistant Chief Schutzman never once pulled the City Clerk over much less ever gave him a single traffic ticket?

Oh, people have a lot more questions for the misdirecting Mayor Martin and his taxpayer-funded henchmen. But these nine are a pretty good start. It seems as if the very real possibility of Martin disbanding their local police department in the middle of a serious crime wave has opened many peoples' eyes. These people now want to know the answers to questions they had previously chosen to ignore. Better late than never.

Perhaps the pinheads who continue to insist that Martin "does wonderful things for people" and only hopes to "save a whole bunch of money" would care to step up and offer explanations.

We'd love to hear what they have to say.                                                                                                                

Dog Days Forecast

The Martin Chronicles is proud of its accuracy predicting what would come in 2013. The only prognostication we made on December 31, 2012 that has yet to happen is Councilman Mary Koenig's ordinance to defy State statute and prohibit city council from investigating the mayor. Not to worry. There is still plenty of time for Koenig to offer up that piece of illegal lunacy.

So now we are more than a half a year down that rocky road that many vainly hoped would be Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's "golden moment". We think it best to paraphrase Eighteenth Century Scottish poet Robert Burns when describing how 2013 has actually gone for Villa Hills. Describing contemporary Villa Hills, Burns would have penned, "The best laid plans of Mayor Mighty Mouse and his henchmen often go awry". To say things in Villa Hills City government have gone awry is being incredibly polite.

Well, what happens next? Anyone who thinks its a sure bet that the voters will decide to send the City Circus packing better think again. Everyone should bear in mind that the mendacious Martin is-if not much else-a remarkably skilled con man. Don't expect him to simply run up the white flag without several more rounds of dishonest mudslinging. The election is creeping closer, but it still remains 470 days away.

What will the diminutive dictator do? The editorial staff held a "dog days of summer" retreat in an undisclosed, but not-so-remote location this weekend discussing exactly that. First, look for a major public relations campaign to begin.

Oh, it will have much the same flavor as Martin's 2010 dirtbag mayoral campaign. Poor Mayor Martin. City Council just doesn't understand his profound wisdom and insight. No one is ever willing to work with him. He has been the victim of one massive conspiracy after another just because he wants to shake up the status quo (he will, of course, not mention that the status quo was a Villa Hills that was ranked the "Number One City in Northern Kentucky" by outside observers in 2010).

Look for personal-and now City-Attorney Toad V. McMurtry also begin to cynically tout to anyone who will listen how Martin has returned "lawfulness and normalcy" to the embattled City despite all of the evidence to the contrary. And why not? McMurtry has certainly discovered that there's taxpayer-funded gold in them there Villa Hills!

Also look for a lot of taxpayer money to be spent. Despite the fact that Martin reneged on his promise to repeal the dreaded unfair $40 per car sticker tax, virtually no road repair has been done in the past three construction seasons. We expect Martin will follow the lead of his wasteful mentor County Judge Executive Steve "Spendthrift" Arlinghaus by pouring asphalt and concrete over everything in sight as we head towards Election Day, 2014.

In fact, don't be surprised if the misdirecting Martin pushes hard to replace the hated and unfair $40 per car sticker tax. Again, we write "replace". Why? Because Martin will only eliminate the unfair $40 per car sticker tax if he can replace it with significant hikes in the City's payroll and insurance premium taxes.

If that push is made, you will hear Martin, Koenig and others crow that an increase in the payroll tax is "beautiful" because it gouges mostly non-residents who toil at the Madonna Manor and the City's two schools. You'll also be "comforted" by the fact that the City's current insurance premium tax rate is "one of the lowest in Kenton County". So an increase is a good thing, huh?

Also, plan to be regaled by tall tales of all the money Martin and his cronies have "found". The totals will be legendary. They will also be lies. But Martin will calculate that the voters bought his bull dung in 2010. So they may buy it again in 2014. Who knows? He may be calculating correctly.

Remember what Abraham Lincoln famously said? "You can fool some of the people all of the time. You can fool all of the people some of the time. But you can't fool all of the people all of the time".

True enough. But Martin only has to fool "fifty per cent of the voters-plus one more" in 2014 to be given new life to unleash his incompetence and corruption on Villa Hills.

We are watching closely.

"Interesting" Comments

The Martin Chronicles can process virtually anything. We understand that the world can actually be a pretty crazy place filled with a lot of-how should we say it?-"interesting" people. These "interesting" people often say-oh, how should we say this?-"interesting" things.

Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin made one of those "interesting" comments at a recent secret-a.k.a. "caucus"-meeting. What he said reminded us of some other famous  "interesting" comments uttered over the years.

"Interesting" like that Maryland guy from April 14, 1865 who, while disappointed that Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in Ford's Theatre that night, was extremely happy that he got a full refund on his ticket, or

That Pennsylvania woman who, while shocked to learn that her husband had been crushed in a mine cave-in on May 16, 1958, was relieved to learn that his new work boots had been recovered, or

That California woman who, though horrified to hear her husband's car had been cut in half by a speeding train on a dark night in June, 1964, was pleased to hear hubby had dropped off her dry cleaning prior to running afoul of the locomotive, or  

That TV news reporter who, while relating the shocking story of the sole survivor of a ten-hiker team wiped out by an avalanche in January, 1978 to the folks at home, opened his story with, "LUCKY MAN SEES PALS DIE!", or

When the BBC's John Inverdale said Marian Bartoli scored a victory at Wimbledon because the loopy commentator suggested her father said she should excel at tennis because she was "not a looker", or

When President Barack Obama described California Attorney General Kamala Harris as "the best looking attorney general", much to the dismay of First Lady Michele back in April, or

When an almost-zero-rated MSNBC show host Chris Hayes labeled Democrat George Wallace as a "Republican" mostly to stir up racial hatred against the GOP,

So what in the world did Martin say?

When informed that the police department has been reduced to four healthy officers and they've had to get help from the Kenton County Police to help cope with a crime spree that is spiraling out of control, Martin bragged-and missed the entire dangerous point-that having Kenton County patrol Villa Hills' streets "saved several hours of overtime"

Our beloved publisher succinctly summed up his views on Martin ignoring a serious crime wave this way, "He's an absolute IDIOT".

No apologies will ever be coming for our publisher's comment. Why? Mostly because it is exactly correct.

WEEKENDER: Do You Have A Case?

The Martin Chronicles has been talking to people who were there at the time Villa Hills City Council enacted their Civil Service Ordinance and staffed the Civil Service Board in late 2010. Yes, City Council passed the ordinance because they were deeply concerned what incoming-and soon-to-be malfeasant-Mayor Mike Martin would do to the City's employees.

You may remember that the money-grubbing Martin was suing Police Chief Dan Goodenough, Assistant Chief Joe Schutzman and the taxpayers of Villa Hills for $1.505 million at the time. Why? Because Martin claimed that his constitutional rights were violated during his FORGERY ARREST in 2007.

Two separate courts dismissed Martin's case via summary judgment. His appeal was dismissed on the City's 49th birthday in 2011. The three-judge panel reviewing his appeal offered the opinions that "what Martin did fit the very definition of FORGERY", "there was probable cause for his arrest" and that "Martin was barking up the wrong tree".

Despite that stinging rebuke, Martin cloyingly told the media that while he disagreed with the courts and, after praying with his wife, he was going to "drop" his huge, taxpayer-funded cash payday. The reality? Martin didn't "drop" anything. Four judges in two separate courts summarily dismissed Martin's lawsuit. That is a distinction with a huge difference. What we have seen over the months following those dismissals is that Martin had no intention of letting go of his desire for revenge.

Now to Martin's most recent legal entanglement with Assistant Chief Schutzman. As you probably recall, Martin and others visited Schutzman one recent May morning to advise the Assistant Chief that he was suspended pending termination (with no previous counseling sessions on record). Sources tell The Martin Chronicles that Martin then asked the City's duly-appointed Civil Service Board to schedule a meeting to hear the matter.

Then, in a move that may have made the spirit of former Los Angeles Rams All-Pro running back Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch envious, the mendacious Martin reversed field and sent his taxpayer-funded battery of attorneys to the Civil Service Board to drop the charges against Schutzman. The Civil Service Board respectfully declined Martin's request and scheduled a hearing. Eventually, Martin's and Schutzman's attorneys decided to hold the hearing in abeyance and the Civil Service Board agreed.

Sources advise The Martin Chronicles that Schutzman's attorneys trusted Martin and that their client would be immediately re-instated and receive the back pay that he is due. As of this date-nearly two months later-this has not happened.

So where are we now? Well, Martin is using taxpayer money to fund a lawsuit attempting to wrest away the authority from the duly-appointed Civil Service Board to decide the Schutzman matter.

Schutzman's attorneys have offered their opinion to the media that they believe that Martin is hoping to get rid of their client by taking the case to a far more compliant City Council. Three of the council members have stated their support for at least "outsourcing" the management of the City's police department, after all.

But here are our questions. If Martin truly believes the hearsay claims of his City Attorney Toad V. McMurtry, why doesn't the mayor present those hearsay claims to the duly-appointed Civil Service Board? And, if Martin truly believes the claims of City Clerk Craig Bohman- who claims he was the victim of Schutzman's selective traffic enforcement-despite the fact that Bohman was never pulled over much less received a traffic ticket, why doesn't the mayor present those claims to the City's duly-appointed Civil Service Board as well?

Could it be that Martin knows those assertions are only so much after-the-fact "hot air" plugged in to what is commonly called as his past-deadline Bill of Particulars? Could it be that Martin knows this sham will only buttress the civil lawsuit Schutzman has in place against the malevolent mayor regarding retaliation? A reasonable person could certainly believe so.

We wonder if all of those people who heard Martin's disingenuous pledge to "learn how to work together" with Schutzman and Police Chief Dan Goodenough at the 2010 sham Civic Club Candidate Forum still believe the diminutive dictator's words?

City Budget Published

The Martin Chronicles has learned that Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's new City budget has been published. What does that mean? It means that it is now officially in effect. So, Martin's threatened veto has not come to pass.

Why was Martin threatening to veto his own budget? He complained that he felt has "hands were tied" by restrictions a majority of the council imposed on legal fees. As we have previously written, we applaud those on council who took those steps. 

Residents should also know that council members Mary Koenig and Holly Menninger-Isenhour voted against those wise restrictions and keep that knowledge in their memory banks when they go to the polls 474 days from now. Koenig's "reasoning"? She grumbled that it would cost $500 each time a budget amendment would have to be published.

If the budget does need amending, council need only do so at the end of the fiscal year. And if the budget does need amending at the end of the current fiscal year, it will represent the third consecutive time the mismanaging Martin has missed the budget target. This despite his disingenuous claim that he "runs a tight ship".

Even so, the $500 Koenig expresses so much concern over pales in comparison to the $15,000 she wants to pour in to the seldom-used Rigney Park that abuts her own back yard. Worse yet, that $500 is a mere fiscal teaspoon compared to the Pacific Ocean of taxpayer-funded attorney bills and legal fees Martin is currently squandering.

While its hard to keep an accurate count, it appears Martin is currently using taxpayer money to fund the efforts of six attorneys. These attorneys are doing all manner of work on your dime from suing taxpayers to railroading employees. The costs could easily hit six-figure territory before its all said and done.

Council should at least conduct a public review of the legal fees at each televised meeting. Martin should be asked to explain the legal bills in detail every month. The public has every right to know.

While we're on the subject of finance, we recently reported that Martin removed Councilmember Amy Balson-a CPA-from the finance committee. Multiple sources confirm that Martin has replaced Balson with Mary Koenig (some surprise, huh?) and an unnamed teenager. While Martin claimed he wasn't getting the work he wanted from Balson, most believe the diminutive dictator simply grew tired of Balson's questions.

Here's the good news. Amy Balson can now ask Martin those same finance questions at the televised council meetings. While Martin will use his usual tap dancing ploy of saying, "I'll get that information for you"-never intending to do so-the public will at least have the chance to hear those questions.

Finally, while it a favorite American pass time to do so, don't blame the attorneys for the massive-and extremely costly-mess Martin is mismanaging. The attorneys are simply doing the work Martin is asking them to do. Martin is the one who should be held accountable for this profligate waste, again 474 days from now.

BREAKING NEWS: Happy Birthday To You!!

The Martin Chronicles wants to extend warm birthday wishes to former interim City Clerk Sue Bree on the occasion of her 60th birthday today. Our gift? If she would like to e-mail us a copy of the statement the judge would not allow her to make at Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's removal hearing last October, we will be happy to publish it in its entirety!

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday dear former interim City Clerk Sue Bree.

Happy birthday to you!



A Kamikaze?

The Martin Chronicles asks you to consider a very serious question. We're being very serious because the potential of a bedroom community being "covered" by county police who consider that bedroom community not much more than an undesirable afterthought imposed upon them by an overly-ambitious-and hopefully one-term- county judge executive is an extremely serious matter.

The question is, what in the world is Martin's goal with his hugely unpopular effort to outsource Villa Hills' police coverage? Yes, we know. Much of this effort is part of a long-standing vendetta against the people Martin blames for his 2007 FORGERY ARREST. That is now a widespread belief in Martin's troubled town. One would think Martin might be at least a little embarrassed about that. But he truly doesn't seem to care. He is pushing mindlessly ahead anyway.

While we all want our political leaders-trust us, we are loathe to call Martin a "leader", but the voters did elect him in 2010-to demonstrate courage, the vast majority of us don't want them to be fanatical kamikazes. Yet that is precisely the way Martin is behaving.

Public opinion is overwhelmingly against Martin's radical plans to either "outsource" the police department or perhaps "just" outsource its management. Public comment has been hugely supportive of not only keeping the local police department, but finally bringing the department up to proper manpower levels.

The last time the City looked for some new way to provide police protection for its residents, expert consultants advised City officials that the department should employ somewhere between twelve and fifteen officers. Martin is currently (mis)managing a seven man department. One of those seven are now injured. The other has been suspended-despite Martin's false claims to the contrary.

Martin's false claims about the suspension of Assistant Chief Joe Schutzman are outrageous. Sources tell us that Martin is falsely saying that Schutzman has been reinstated (and he hasn't) and that he is on medical leave (and he isn't). Look, this all could be happening because Martin is an incredibly stupid man. But stupid men lie too. And Martin's lie could lead to more devastating-and very costly-legal problems for the taxpayers.

Martin's announcement that he intends to hire a part-time officer will in no way address the problems. Martin's simple-minded approach to management has-according to numerous sources-destroyed the morale of what is a truly fine police department. In addition, the soaring crime rate in Villa Hills is the direct result of Martin's dreadful mismanagement.

Police Chief Goodenough has been unsuccessfully asking for an eighth officer since Martin took office. Does Martin even begin to realize that needing Kenton County police officers to patrol the City's streets is absolute proof that the City's police department is understaffed? Worse yet, the Kenton County Police "no-showed" at least one shift they were supposed to cover.

Even the social networks provide proof of Martin's problems. Facebook posters once spoke in favor of Martin's efforts. These posters blamed others for all of Martin's mounting woes. Gradually, the tide began to shift. The debacle that has unfolded since last November's "give Martin an all new council" election has turned that gradual shift in to an avalanche of anti-Martin sentiment. Martin is routinely described as "garbage", "human waste" and worse.

Still, Martin mindlessly plows ahead.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Sometime today we will be welcoming our 140,000th visitor. We're glad all of you are reading. But we hope that you are at least a little bit dismayed as we are by the abject corruption and incompetence of Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin. While he may be a charitable golfing elf, he is indeed corrupt . . . and dangerously incompetent.]

It Is About Him

The Martin Chronicles will repeat its' now already oft-repeated disclaimer. By all reports, Councilman Jim Cahill is indeed a pillar of the community. Mr. Cahill does all manner of volunteer work and is sacrificing his time-and potentially his reputation-attempting to deal with Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin. Mr. Cahill should be commended for all of the good, selfless things he does.

We suspect Mr. Cahill is being so delicate with the corrupt and incompetent Martin in large part because of the result of last November's election. People voted six new council members in to office in the vain hope that all of the turmoil in Villa Hills would magically go away. The 600 or so yellow and black signs (that have yet to be stolen) displayed throughout the community stand as evidence that we are not experiencing "peace in our time". If anything, the situation has actually gotten worse.

So, it is our hope that Mr. Cahill will stop saying that "this isn't about Mayor Martin" every time he asks a question or explains one of the many self-inflicted problems the City is facing. Maybe Mr. Cahill should ponder the answers to the following questions.

• Would their be these new, astronomical legal fees if Martin wasn't sitting in the mayor's office? Probably not.
• Would their be costly personnel turmoil if Martin wasn't sitting in the mayor's office? Probably not.
• Would Villa Hills be on the precipice of losing its local police force if Martin wasn't sitting in the mayor's office? Probably not.
• Would people be wondering how a mayor can sign the purchase order that generates a $23,000 check for himself if Martin wasn't sitting in the mayor's office? Probably not.

Let's go back a little further.

• Would the previous council have felt compelled to hire Special Counsel to get answers to questions they were being stonewalled on if Martin wasn't sitting in the mayor's office? Probably not.
• Would a judge have issued a stinging rebuke to the City and demand that the City stop illegally destroying records if Martin wasn't sitting in the mayor's office? Probably not.

If the thought process is that you simply have to "buy time", holding Martin off until he can be tossed in the next election-be careful. Just think of the damage that will be done over the next eighteen months. How bad will it get? Could it all be repaired? The answer to these questions isn't entirely clear.

Mr. Cahill, we respectfully write that we sincerely appreciate your level-headed, steady approach to the issues. We don't want to hear you raise your voice, see you pound your fist on the table or rise out of your chair and point your finger in someone's face-as Martin himself did not all that many council meetings ago. But please don't preface legitimate questions by saying "it isn't about" Martin. We're not telling you what you should say. We're just requesting that you don't say "it isn't about" Martin.

Why? Because so many of the problems facing Villa Hills are about Martin.

Is A Circus Coming To Town?

The Martin Chronicles begins this post by saying we are obviously staunch defenders of the First Amendment of the US Constitution. We have been one of the few media outlets that has dared to consistently tell the truth about Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's rampant corruption and incompetence. There are a few others. But we were the first. We've taken some heat for our efforts. People who should stick to their charitable endeavors yet appear to be too stupid do so. But we're fine with it. We also have a substantial readership.

That we will defend the right of anyone-no matter who they may be-to express their opinion on "matters of the day". But that doesn't mean we won't comment on those opinions. Usually in as respectful a way as possible.

So, we will take some time writing about a recent piece in The Community Recorder. Former Villa Hills councilman and State Senate Candidate Jim Noll offered up his views under the headline "Merged government worth discussing". Our initial snapshot? No real surprises. Heck we may agree that Villa Hills doesn't need local government-and local taxes-if Martin is successful in getting his revenge against the Villa Hills Police Department. But there also may be clues of a potential spectacle buried in Noll's piece.

First, Noll cites hopefully-one-term County Judge Executive Steve Arlinghaus' 911 dispatch push as a great example of how regional government works. You should keep in mind that the one million dollars in savings Arlinghaus peddled City to City ended up being much closer to zero dollars. Noll's suggestion that government that is farther away from the will of the people is a good thing doesn't necessarily make much sense either. But again, he is most certainly entitled to his opinion.

There is something in Noll's editorial that all of us should watch. It could be a clue that the next Villa Hills' mayoral election now just 477 fleeting days away will be more entertaining than the proverbial three-ring circus.

Noll writes, When the next mayor election in Villa Hills . . . comes around in 2014 my likely choice will be for the candidate that is bold, brave and wise enough to campaign on the platform that he . . . is running to be the last mayor of the city. Again, is there a clue buried in Noll's words? Does Noll see himself as that "bold, brave and wise" candidate?

If so, can you imagine the mudslinging? Sure, Martin and Noll would both tell the media that they want to debate the best way to "move the City forward (whatever the hell that means)". But we already witnessed Martin's dishonest, dirtbag campaign style in 2010. A candidate Noll would provide the mendacious Martin with a target-rich environment to be sure.

What better way for Martin to divert voter's attention away from his own corruption and incompetence. Surrogates would go door-to-door reminding voters of Noll's early morning arrest in February, 2013 for driving through a police barricade transporting marijuana. Residents would be regaled with rumors surrounding allegations made against Noll regarding inappropriate behavior. Oh, it would be vintage Martin.

Yeah, Martin would go around beating his chest about how he got rid of a postage meter and that he poured tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars in to a rarely-used "park" because he loves "the chow-dren". Heck, he may even claim he found yet another $30,000-but isn't sure how he did so. He-he-he-he.

And don't think for a second that the diminutive dictator won't take a beating as well. Even if many feel like they would have to hold their nose while casting a vote for Noll, they'll be keenly aware that the City can't handle another four years of the corrupt and incompetent Martin. Voters would be reminded of Martin's conviction on seven of nine counts of official misconduct and neglect of duty. They'll read about what is sure to total hundreds of thousands of their dollars Martin wasted on wrong-headed attorney fees and lawsuits.

Don't worry. Noll will promise the voters that every dispute can be mediated. Even though the Martin era has clearly demonstrated that this isn't the case. Despite running a police barricade during a shooting incident, Noll would also assure voters that he is "a voice of reason".

What an ugly spectacle that election would be. Notwithstanding their recent failures, the voters of Villa Hills deserve better choices. Let's hope that these voters have truly done their homework for the day they have to make that choice. Martin needs to spend all of his time running his unlicensed handyman business and stop trying to destroy the city he cloyingly claimed he loves so much at the 2010 sham Civic Club candidate forum. He's absolutely terrible for the embarrassed City. You know it. We know it. The majority of Villa Hills' residents know it. This important election is now only 477 days away.



How About Trying THE TRUTH?

The Martin Chronicles has been taking weekends off for awhile but we also have to admit that we're sick and damned tired of it. So we are putting up a post. What are we talking about? The bull hockey that Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin still continues to spread about his 2007 FORGERY ARREST. For those who have the mendacious Martin figured out, you won't be surprised that our reporters still hear the nitwittery every now and again.

For the official court record, four separate judges in two different courts opined that Martin did indeed COMMIT FORGERY during the proceedings of his $1.505 MILLION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE VILLA HILLS TAXPAYERS. These judges dismissed Martin's lawsuit (twice) because they also stated that there was PROBABLE CAUSE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF AN ARREST WARRANT FOR MARTIN FOR FORGERY. The little bastard should drop to his knees and thank The Great Spirit that he didn't end up in jail. Instead, the SERIAL LIAR spread just enough deceit in 2010 to put his undeserving ass in the mayor's office. The result has been an unmatched disaster.

Now here's THE TRUTH. Martin was NOT taken in to custody by Assistant Chief Joe Schutzman in 2007. Despite that truth, this is the lie Martin tells everyone who will listen. Martin was not cuffed and stuffed as he continues to tell people in his pathetic attempt to gin up more sympathy. All that fantasy is just another MARTIN LIE.

Here's what really happened. Police Chief Dan Goodenough phoned Martin to advise him of the arrest warrant that had been issued for him by the Commonwealth attorney and signed off on him by a judge. Chief Goodenough carefully explained what Martin needed to do to painlessly deal with the problems that the then-councilman/now- dishonest mayor had created for himself.

Martin then turned himself in to the Kenton County authorities. Look at his 2007 mug shot. It's one of the few times you'll ever see him wearing a white shirt and tie, for crying out loud. He was processed and released in about thirty minutes. Then, Martin was given the opportunity to correct his "errors" (read: signing a deceased person's name on that deceased persons checks and cashing them).

After Martin corrected his "errors" the judge decided to dismiss the case. The judges inartful comment that there was no "probable cause" to continue the prosecution inspired Martin to file his $1.505 million lawsuit against the taxpayers and appeal the initial dismissal.

It also inspired Martin to weave a gigantic fable that he was the target of dark enemies who did not like his good government zealotry. The last two-and a half years demonstrate that Martin certainly knows nothing about good government.

Anything else Martin tells you is just another one of his many, many LIES.

WEEKENDER: Covington Commission Crisis Connection?

The Martin Chronicles suggested that our readers do a Google search Wednesday. Judging by the large number of readers who checked out that post, a number most likely did exactly that. One well-known Northern Kentucky attorney contacted our beloved publisher and floated the idea that the situation with that new Villa Hills councilman may be a lot like the situation faced by a Covington City Commissioner that received a great deal of media coverage about three weeks ago.

In case you aren't aware, Kenton County Attorney Garry Edmonson recently made news with his investigation of Covington City Commissioner Michelle Williams. The reason for Edmonson's investigation? The County Attorney said records show multiple convictions of Commissioner Williams ranging from 2008 to June 2010 in Northern Kentucky that may prevent her from holding public office.

An individual cannot hold office in Kentucky if convicted of a felony or high misdemeanor. A high misdemeanor usually involves what Edmonson described as "moral turpitude", citing theft as an example. It is worth noting, however, that Kentucky's Constitution provides no definition of a high misdemeanor.

County Attorney Edmonson issued his opinion that Commissioner Williams should vacate her office immediately. But, it appears Edmonson's opinion is simply that. The Kentucky Attorney General's Office would ultimately decide if an elected official must vacate their office. That has yet to play out.

Now to Villa Hills. Those who followed Wednesday's "Google trail" know that one of the new Villa Hills council members has a "history" of his own. Those who haven't followed the trail yet probably owe it to themselves to do so. This "history" may raise some of the same issues that Edmonson investigated in Covington. Should Edmonson-or someone else-be asking the same questions in Villa Hills?

Many may be surprised that we aren't sure if it is a wise idea to explore this new councilman's past. Villa Hills may not be able to handle more scrutiny of any of its elected officials, no matter how legitimate.

Last year, many voters were unintentionally misled by media headlines of "infighting" and "bickering" and intentionally misled by malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin and his cronies' false claims of "bullying", "blaming" and wrong-headed whining about "an unwillingness by incumbent council members to work with the mendacious mayor".

These same misled voters surrounded Martin with six new-or reconstituted-faces. The voters' desperate hope? That maybe Martin could finally show what he is capable of. Well, we believe that is exactly what is happening.

You see, it is now revealed that Martin has been lying for more than two years about his plans to eliminate the Villa Hills Police Department. It is now revealed that Martin never intended to "learn how to work" with Police Chief Dan Goodenough and Assistant Chief Joe Schutzman, despite his feckless claims to the contrary at the sham Villa Hills Civic Club's 2010 Candidate Forum. Martin has been revealed to be nothing more than a disgraceful dissembler.

So what is left? The hope that the voters will finally take the time to get the facts for themselves in 2014. Why? Because is becoming more apparent with each passing day that these voters must begin to re-direct the careers of at least a few of their elected officials, beginning with their dishonest Mayor Mike Martin.

A $15,000 Boondoggle Project?

The Martin Chronicles wonders if any but the most rabid of Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's dwindling supporters believes the diminutive mayor when he says he "runs a tight ship". We are going to be very gracious. We'll give Martin his recent claim that he "saved" one thousand dollars by "getting rid of the postage meter".

We'll be more gracious. We won't count the tens-of-thousands-of-taxpayer-dollars- needlessly-wasted-on-attorneys Martin is squandering attempting to fire Assistant Chief Joe Schutzman. Or Martin's annual six-figure budget amendments that are draining the City's dwindling cash reserves. Or Martin's self-approved $23,000-plus taxpayer-funded bonus. We won't count any of that, or all the rest of the waste, fraud and abuse-at least in this post. But all of it sure adds up to a whole lot of "postage meters".

We do have some questions:

1. Why did Martin approve spending taxpayer money to have the City Engineer determine the cost to fix "drainage problems" at Harry Rigney Park?
2. How many of you Villa Hills taxpayers have ever been to Harry Rigney Park?
3. How many of you Villa Hills taxpayers even know there is a Harry Rigney Park?
4. How many of you residents knew that Councilmembers Mary Koenig's and Holly B. Menninger-Isenhour's properties abut the aforementioned Harry Rigney Park?
5. How many of you Villa Hills taxpayers think its a good idea to spend $15,000 of your hard-earned money providing property improvements for councilpeople?
6. How many of you Villa Hills taxpayers agree that wasting $15,000 of your hard-earned money providing property improvements for councilpeople is a corrupt outrage?

Look, we love the memory of Harry Rigney. But there is a large contingent of long-time Villa Hills residents who are still royally upset that their money was wasted many years ago constructing a retaining wall and planting trees on Mary Koenig's property near Harry Rigney Park. Should another $15,000 be spent on what some believe are improvements for Koenig's and now Isenhour-Meninger's property? This seems to be pork-barrel politics at its worst. Many now believe that Martin is far worse-and more corrupt-than any imaginary "good old boy's network" that Councilman Mary Koenig has ever spouted off about over the years.  

The Martin Chronicles holds a mandatory staff meeting promptly at 3am every morning to discuss the status of stories our reporters are working. Today, our beloved publisher quietly listened to all of the latest Martin mayhem, leaned back in his chair, took a few puffs of his deadly cigarette, and then summed up his views on the mephistophelian Martin. He used a quote from one of his favorite movies, The Usual Suspects, to describe what Martin has done to the unsuspecting people of Villa Hills. Taking a sip from his "sweetened" coffee, our publisher said, "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."

Breaking News: Gaining Some Perspective

The Martin Chronicles has to admit it. Our beloved publisher is a genius. The break he gave us away from Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin gave the entire staff the boost it needed to head down the 482 days remaining until the diminutive dictator once again faces the electorate. The results are proving to be nothing less than spectacular.

Want an example? Our crack research staff has uncovered some shocking background that explains why one of Villa Hills' new council members demonstrates a strong dislike for law enforcement.

No, we aren't gonna make it too easy for you. You will have to do some of the work. Go to Google. Type in "Brian R. Wischer". Then scroll until you get to justmugshots.com and click on it. We think what you'll find will provide you a great deal of perspective.

Look, everyone makes mistakes. We have a perky summer intern who often comes to our 3am staff meetings more than a little "nonplussed" at times. Heck, even our beloved publisher had some interesting times while serving our country during the war (Civil War? WWII? Viet Nam? Grenada?, who the hell knows?)

But no one on our staff is joining Martin in his radical effort to destroy the Villa Hills Police Department.

Hump Day Quickies

The Martin Chronicles morning staff meeting went longer than normal. We are in the process of finalizing a story about more waste, fraud and abuse in malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin's Villa Hills.
A few observations from this morning's meeting.

Martin's monthly secret Villa Hills Council Meeting (aka "untelevised caucus") will be held this evening. Will the diminutive dictator announce that he has vetoed his budget? Remember, Martin has been considering a veto because council dared to try to rein in his skyrocketing spending on attorneys and lawsuits.

Martin once claimed to be "Mr. Transparency". While most can now see right through him, he remains a secretive liar. Want another example? Martin has yet to request that the TBNK update its public service announcement listing the date of the live broadcast of the monthly non-secret meeting. As you know, the date was changed to accommodate City Attorney Toad V. McMurtry several months ago. Of course Martin will blame the TBNK. Why? Because he is a rotten little bastard.

Speaking of Toad V. McMurtry, we recall how he advised everyone to communicate with him via e-mail at a recent meeting. Given the latest news that McMurtry refuses to respond to the phone and e-mail inquiries from Assistant Chief Joe Schutzman's attorney, we have one thing to say. Good luck everybody.

Given the whirlwind of legal action Martin has generated, look for yet another "executive session" tonight. Ironic, isn't it? A secret meeting being held at a secret meeting.

Oh, what lies Martin must tell behind closed doors.

The Web Of Deceit

The Martin Chronicles has been busily working its vast network of sources to uncover what appears to be the latest in a long line of deceits put forth by Villa Hills malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin. This one has to do with Martin's ham-handed attempt to terminate Assistant Chief Joe Schutzman and all of the subsequent foul-ups, bleeps and blunders we have reported so far.

First, a quick re-cap. After lying about his intentions for more than two years, Martin revealed his radical plan to disband the Villa Hills Police Department and "outsource" coverage to some other agency. Facing intense public resistance, Martin and his allies on the new city council began to float the idea of "outsourcing the management of the police department (read: terminate the two men Martin blames most for his 2007 forgery arrest, Schutzman and Police Chief Dan Goodenough).

Perhaps not coincidentally, Martin uses hearsay and other flimsy evidence to suspend Schutzman with the intention of terminating him just days after the announcement of the "management outsourcing" plan. After initially requesting a hearing by the City's Civil Service Board, Martin tries to withdraw his charges against Schutzman. Then all of the many attorneys involved agree to hold the charges in abeyance. Part of the agreement involves Schutzman's reinstatement to duty.

As you also know, Martin then filed a lawsuit attempting to wrest the authority to decide the Schutzman matter away from the Civil Service Board. Many assert that Martin would prefer presenting his hearsay and flimsy evidence to a far more compliant city council. Yes, the cost to the taxpayers for all of Martin's legal wrangling is astronomical and still skyrocketing.

So where are we now? Sources maintain that Martin has falsely told the city council that Schutzman has been reinstated and is currently on medical leave for an injury he suffered prior to being suspended. The problem with Martin's fabrication? Schutzman has received no notice from either the mendacious Martin or City Attorney Toad V. McMurtry that the suspension has been lifted or inquiring if the Assistant Chief could return, working what is commonly referred to as "light duty". Additionally, we have found no documentation that Schutzman is on medical leave.

We have also confirmed that Schutzman's attorney has made several unsuccessful attempts to reach City Attorney Toad V. McMurtry to resolve the situation. For some reason, McMurtry has chosen not to respond to the phone and email inquiries from Schutzman's attorney. All the while, the legal bills continue to explode.

UPDATE

Our publisher just returned from brunch with a renowned Northern Kentucky attorney. This well-known attorney believes Martin and his legal brain trust are "way off base" with their lawsuit attempting to take away the Civil Service Board's right to decide the fate of Assistant Chief Schutzman.

The attorney believes that Martin is simply stalling because he knows his case against Schutzman is an embarrassing bag of horse manure. "His so-called evidence against Schutzman is a huge joke. Ridiculous hearsay and compromised witnesses who are on Martin's taxpayer-funded payroll. Just consider this. The new City Clerk charges Schutzman with intimidation and selective enforcement. One question. How many times was Craig Bohman ever pulled over by Schutzman?"

We Haven't Gone Anywhere

The Martin Chronicles beloved publisher welcomed the entire staff back from a well-deserved rest and relaxation break earlier today. He was very gratified to hear the concern being expressed. About what? The buzz all over town was, "What's up with the Martin Chronicles?"

Well, trying to cover the mayhem and mismanagement of malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin over the past twenty-one months would have worn Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein out even when they were in their primes.So, a brief respite was in order.

But don't worry. Our publisher has been developing several stories over the past week. The one thing our rapidly expanding readership can be assured of is the grisly pit the mendacious Martin is pulling the once-respected Villa Hills in to will never hit bottom. At least not until December 31. 2014.

We'll tease you with just a bit of news. One of the councilpeople who has been pushing hardest for outsourcing recently learned that the Kenton County Police will pull everybody and anybody over. No matter who they are or who they are related to.

We'll see you tomorrow!!