We do know that candidates Berger, Hilgeford, Koenig, Yost-Vaden and Wischer have proudly identified themselves as "The Martin Five". They are all pushing Martin's dishonest myth that Villa Hills is a "city moving forward". This false claim is being made despite four years of media embarrassment, four straight "busted budgets", a disgracefully mistreated local police department, virtually no street repair, incredible sums of taxpayer money squandered on lawyers and legal actions and multiple tax increases.
Sure, at least some of them will be elected. The math of the race absolutely assures that. Residents should clearly understand, however, that a vote for any of those five is also a vote for the malfeasant Martin. Some are actually happy about that. Many others, not so much.
We also know that candidates Bruns, Kilburn and Ringo ended up paying the price for Martin's incompetence and corruption at the ballot box in 2012. Despite a record of selfless work for the residents, these three were voted out in the vain hope that a new council would calm things down and put an end the embarrassment.
We now also know that no council can really work with the mallet-headed Martin. What we once referred to as Martin's "golden moment" council after they were victorious in 2012 have faced nothing but turmoil, threats, evasion, lawsuits and continued scandal since taking office on January 1, 2013.
"Martin World" has been so bad for the tarnished "golden moment" council that the three best councilmembers chose not to even run for reelection this year. A fourth councilmember is so fed up with Martin's antics that she decided to challenge Martin for the seat in the mayor's office. That should tell the residents all they need to know about Martin and "The Martin Five". But it remains to be seen if it will.
We'll tell you what we've learned about the nine city council candidates:
- Summer Berger - We do know she has been "closely involved" with a bizarre, former Villa Hills councilmember. How? We've read the court documents. We also know that she helped spark yet another lawsuit against Villa Hills taxpayers by her reckless behavior while serving on Martin's so-called "Safety" Committee. But we don't know much else about Ms. Berger. Why? Because she consciously chose to avoid both opportunities made available to her to field questions from the residents during this election cycle.
- George Bruns - Mr. Bruns has been a public servant for his entire adult life. He began serving the residents when he joined the local volunteer fire department when he was a teenager. Mr. Bruns has lived in Villa Hills almost his entire life. He served ably on Villa Hills' city council as a strong advocate for all things relating to public safety. But, Mr. Bruns was punished for being a-now we know justifiably-outspoken critic of malfeasant Mayor Mike Martin in 2012.
- Dave Hilgeford- By most accounts, Hilgeford was once a solid citizen who was always willing to serve the public. But, again-by most accounts-something has gone terribly wrong. Former friends of Hilgeford are mystified by the inexplicable loss of his once well-know "independent streak". These former friends are at a loss to explain Hilgeford's recent erratic, dangerous behavior and his bizarre public actions.
- Greg Kilburn - Mr. Kilburn is an attorney who was chairperson of Villa Hills Public Works committee during the well-documented time when the most street repair was done in the city's history. Mr. Kilburn was actually once a close friend of Mike Martin. But, Kilburn came to realize Martin's deception and gross incompetence. So, Martin took special joy in encouraging voters to defeat Kilburn in the 2012 election.
- Mary Koenig - The Martin Chronicles has never shied away for our low opinion of Ms. Koenig. She is the ultimate example of an elected official who has simply been around far too long. Koenig was first elected to city council in the last century-1989 to be exact. She is the "good old boy" she always rails against. Besides, she is the only person who was at the epicenter of the suspicious firings of two Villa Hills Police Chiefs.
- Scott Ringo - Mr. Ringo is clearly the smartest candidate in the nine-person field. In fact, he would be a great choice for Villa Hills' next mayor. It speaks volumes about Mr. Ringo that he chose to run for council instead. He is a huge advocate of public safety and a logical road repair program. Mr. Ringo clearly understands city budgeting and would make the maximum use of every taxpayer dollar. Mr. Ringo was also a victim of the wrong-headed 2012 "housecleaning".
- Jennifer Yost-Vaden- She is the most obvious Martin "Kool-Aid" drinker. Despite all of the dinosaur media-reported problems of Martin's mis-administration, Ms. Yost-Vaden is a "true believer". She actually tried to defend Martin's $500,000-plus abject waste of taxpayer money on lawyers and legal fees at the Sensible Citizen's "Mulligan" Town Hall. We aren't prepared to say that Yost-Vaden is clueless. But, she is clearly off-base.
- Gary Waugaman - Businessman Mr. Waugaman has been a long-time volunteer. He gives his time and his money to St. Joe's. He was willing to serve on multiple committees under the malfeasant Martin. Despite his health problems, Mr. Waugaman has never said "no" to a request to help any worthwhile cause.
- Brian Wischer - Mr. Wischer is another self-proclaimed member of "The Martin Five" who wants you to falsely believe that the-Martin-and-his crony-caused-troubled Villa Hills is actually a "city moving forward". He is telling dreadful lies on the campaign trail. Do you want an example? Of course you do. Mr. Wischer is actually telling residents that railroaded, former Police Chief Dan Goodenough "wouldn't have received his retirement" is it wasn't for him. And so it goes. This is currently "Martinville", after all.
November 4 is almost upon us.
