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.
