The Martin Chronicles sometimes gets a little frustrated by the ebb and flow of the mess in Mayor Mike Martin's Villa Hills. It has only been fifteen days since City Council slapped Martin with four reprimands after an extremely lengthy executive session that sources say was-to be polite-highly contentious. And yet it sometimes seems more like fifteen weeks.
As we have written before, we suspect that there is a reason Martin's January 5 document burn was not the subject of a reprimand. Our guess? Council is being cautious because of the lawsuit an employee has filed against Martin and the City. On April 26 a judge made it crystal clear that the fact that Martin wantonly destroyed City records in the middle of a serious lawsuit and then lied about what was burned has done great harm to the taxpayers.
No one is disputing the fact that records were destroyed. No one is disputing the fact that Martin's list of destroyed records was-again, to be polite-woefully inaccurate and incomplete. No one is disputing the fact that Martin created the list the day after he was caught. All that Martin's attorney could say when asked about the shameful series of events is that he didn't have an answer!
So, we wonder why City Council is hesitating to pursue this issue. After all, could the City's position be any weaker than it already is? Martin seems to have done a fine job of placing the taxpayers in the lawsuit jackpot with no help at all.
Martin's after-the-fact fabrication about what he burned is a clear case of misconduct. Council should deal with that matter quickly. What Martin did warrants more than a reprimand. It warrants removal. Further delay will play right into the mendacious Martin's hands.
How do we know this? Because Martin already tipped his strategy in his Unahandyman Manifesto. In a little more than two months the field will be set for the 2012 council election. If the current council sits on its' collective hands-and the mountain of evidence of Martin's wrongdoing-Martin will have no problem recruiting a slate of candidates to challenge the incumbents in November.
Can't you just hear Martin now? "They won't work with me. I am trying to move the City forward. Help me get rid of the Civil Service Commission. I have had to endure and overcome tremendous obstacles. Look at all your money this council wasted on investigating me and what did they find? I need the voters to give me a council I can work with." Martin might just pull it off.
Martin will bank on the voters being as apathetic about local matters as they were in 2010. Martin will be fairly sure that most voters have very little understanding of the ongoing issues in their City. Martin will count on voters being focused on the national elections. Martin will trust that he will be able to tell enough lies and spread enough libel and slander that he can dupe the voters one more time. Falsely portraying himself as an innocent victim paid off in 2010. Martin will rely on "victim status" once again.
Look, this isn't about politics. With all candor, we normally wouldn't give a tinker's dam who sits around the Villa Hills council table. But these aren't normal times. Look at all the serious harm Martin has done even with a majority of council doing everything they can to rein him in. How much worse will it get if Martin gets the council members he wants?
If the current council doesn't do everything within their power to let the public know what Martin has done, we believe the self-proclaimed CEO may well get his wish in a mere 159 days.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Martin's Budget Arrives
The Martin Chronicles would like to take at least a little bit of credit because of our constant cajoling. But we really don't think Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin delayed the release of his FY2013 budget because of any pressure we applied. Sources tell us it was delayed for a very odd reason. More about that in future posts.
What's next? Martin plans to have the first reading of his budget proposal at the June 7 caucus meeting. No big deal, excepting the fact that this first reading will take place more or less "under the radar screen". Caucus meetings aren't typically televised or well attended. So much for Martin's broken promise of transparency.
But wait, there's more. Condensing the time to review and discuss the budget to a roughly two week time period is really rushing it. A review of the days when Martin was a mere councilman demonstrates that he would not have accepted such a huge, last-minute rush.
Our research staff has obtained a copy of the budget proposal and they are closely analyzing it. One line item that immediately jumps out is Martin's shocking proposal to increase the amount budgeted for the City Attorney by more than 200%. Given the amount of money currently squandered on attorney fees it still may not be enough.
Martin's budget proposal also includes an inordinately healthy presdiction for revenues from the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX. Based on this year's trends rsulting from the move of collections to County Boss Steve Arlinghaus County Court House, it appears to be overly optimistic by roughly $50,000. Perhaps Martin plans to get the $50K via lawsuits against scofflaw residents.
All in all, it's all about Martin's mismanagement. But in a strange way it doesn't really seem to matter to the sleeping majority of Villa Hills' residents.
We predict that Villa Hills City Council will pass Villa Hills' first budget in two years. Why? Because City Council will likely accept the reality that the Villa Hills Police Department will not be brought to full strength for as long as Martin occupies the mayor's office. The majority will most likely approve Martin's budget to obtain the funds to begin replacing the police department's dilapidated fleet of aging, poorly operating vehicles. It's a tough call to be sure.
The City Council election is a mere 160 days away. Look for Martin to run a variation of his 2010 dirtbag mayoral race this fall to give him a working majority and a free hand to do as he chooses. He is losing an ally in Jim Noll, who hopes to take his show to the State Senate in Frankfort. So he needs to pick up two seats. Given the public's desire for peace at any cost, don't bet against the street-brawling Martin.
Perhaps "shoddy at best" governance will pay off in a huge way in 2012.
What's next? Martin plans to have the first reading of his budget proposal at the June 7 caucus meeting. No big deal, excepting the fact that this first reading will take place more or less "under the radar screen". Caucus meetings aren't typically televised or well attended. So much for Martin's broken promise of transparency.
But wait, there's more. Condensing the time to review and discuss the budget to a roughly two week time period is really rushing it. A review of the days when Martin was a mere councilman demonstrates that he would not have accepted such a huge, last-minute rush.
Our research staff has obtained a copy of the budget proposal and they are closely analyzing it. One line item that immediately jumps out is Martin's shocking proposal to increase the amount budgeted for the City Attorney by more than 200%. Given the amount of money currently squandered on attorney fees it still may not be enough.
Martin's budget proposal also includes an inordinately healthy presdiction for revenues from the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX. Based on this year's trends rsulting from the move of collections to County Boss Steve Arlinghaus County Court House, it appears to be overly optimistic by roughly $50,000. Perhaps Martin plans to get the $50K via lawsuits against scofflaw residents.
All in all, it's all about Martin's mismanagement. But in a strange way it doesn't really seem to matter to the sleeping majority of Villa Hills' residents.
We predict that Villa Hills City Council will pass Villa Hills' first budget in two years. Why? Because City Council will likely accept the reality that the Villa Hills Police Department will not be brought to full strength for as long as Martin occupies the mayor's office. The majority will most likely approve Martin's budget to obtain the funds to begin replacing the police department's dilapidated fleet of aging, poorly operating vehicles. It's a tough call to be sure.
The City Council election is a mere 160 days away. Look for Martin to run a variation of his 2010 dirtbag mayoral race this fall to give him a working majority and a free hand to do as he chooses. He is losing an ally in Jim Noll, who hopes to take his show to the State Senate in Frankfort. So he needs to pick up two seats. Given the public's desire for peace at any cost, don't bet against the street-brawling Martin.
Perhaps "shoddy at best" governance will pay off in a huge way in 2012.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
How Did THIS sneak up on the CEO?
As we have told you, The Martin Chronicles spent several months doing research and developing several very reliable sources before launching our plucky little blog on October 8, 2011. We have a library full of all of the broken promises and flat-out lies of Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin stretching back years. And there have been a mountain of both.
Do your remember any of the statements Martin made during his dirtbag 2010 mayoral campaign? Sure you do. But if you don't, we have them all. How about this one? Martin claimed that "safety is my first priority". You don't say?
Do you remember Martin's defense of his refusal to bring the Villa Hills Police Department up to full strength? We have the DVD if you don't. "The first thing I looked at after being elected was the police department." No kidding? Are you sure you want to stay with that?
We are also sure all of our readers are aware that Villa Hills fiscal year ends in a little more that thirty days. Martin has inexplicably delayed the release of his budget proposal for the next fiscal year. He claims he has been doing a lot of "tweaking".
The Martin Chronicles has obtained an email sent Saturday, May 26 that clearly demonstrates that Martin's "tweaking" missed something very important. What he missed is directly related to the item he claims is his "first priority". What he missed is directly related to the area he claims he looked at first.
Do your remember any of the statements Martin made during his dirtbag 2010 mayoral campaign? Sure you do. But if you don't, we have them all. How about this one? Martin claimed that "safety is my first priority". You don't say?
Do you remember Martin's defense of his refusal to bring the Villa Hills Police Department up to full strength? We have the DVD if you don't. "The first thing I looked at after being elected was the police department." No kidding? Are you sure you want to stay with that?
We are also sure all of our readers are aware that Villa Hills fiscal year ends in a little more that thirty days. Martin has inexplicably delayed the release of his budget proposal for the next fiscal year. He claims he has been doing a lot of "tweaking".
The Martin Chronicles has obtained an email sent Saturday, May 26 that clearly demonstrates that Martin's "tweaking" missed something very important. What he missed is directly related to the item he claims is his "first priority". What he missed is directly related to the area he claims he looked at first.
As has been The Martin Chronicles strict policy, we are reprinting Martin's email in its original form. Missing words, bad grammar and strong evidence of poor governance included.
________________________________________________________________________________
"Council,
I would like to have a special either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday this week to talk about police cruisers. I believe we now have three in for repairs and the trend is continuing to get worst.
Chief will be putting together some info (age and recent cost of repairs etc.) for us to review.
I would to get the approval to order at least 2 new vehicles now. If we have to take money out of reserves and later finance them depending on the interest rates."
Please get back with as soon as possible so if you agree to the meeting I can get it posted".
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
So Martin wants to rush a special meeting? Despite the fact that their is already a serious concern about previous secret meetings?
The CEO wants to add tens of thousands of dollars more in red ink? How could something like this sneak up on Martin after his endless hours of " budget tweaking"? We suspect the "Don't Tread On Me" flags that were waved in support of Martin in 2010 by the Tea Partiers, Liberty Leaguers, home schoolers and various-and-sundry-other-tri-cornered-hat-wearing-government-haters are suddenly going to go limp.
How is it after seventeen dreadful months that Martin is just now having the Chief "put together some info" on the age and cost of repairs for the rust bucket fleet of Villa Hills Police Cruisers? At best, this sounds a lot like "shoddy at best" mismanagement to us.
Where has Councilman Mike Pope's Finance committee been? How could they miss this glaring problem for seventeen long months. Isn't Pope an accountant? Are they going to support dipping in to the City's dwindling cash reserves yet again?
We have posted about the sorry condition of the VHPD's police vehicles before. If we knew it, how in the world did this fact slip past Martin? How could a person who claims that safety is his first priority not know it? How could a person who said that the first thing he studied when he took office was the police department not see it?
There are two explanations. One is complete incompetence. The other is that Martin was lying about what his first priority is and his first look was. The Martin Chronicles knows the explanation involves an unhealthy dose of both.
We can just imagine. "I didn't know we needed several police vehicles then. But I know it now."
The CEO wants to add tens of thousands of dollars more in red ink? How could something like this sneak up on Martin after his endless hours of " budget tweaking"? We suspect the "Don't Tread On Me" flags that were waved in support of Martin in 2010 by the Tea Partiers, Liberty Leaguers, home schoolers and various-and-sundry-other-tri-cornered-hat-wearing-government-haters are suddenly going to go limp.
How is it after seventeen dreadful months that Martin is just now having the Chief "put together some info" on the age and cost of repairs for the rust bucket fleet of Villa Hills Police Cruisers? At best, this sounds a lot like "shoddy at best" mismanagement to us.
Where has Councilman Mike Pope's Finance committee been? How could they miss this glaring problem for seventeen long months. Isn't Pope an accountant? Are they going to support dipping in to the City's dwindling cash reserves yet again?
We have posted about the sorry condition of the VHPD's police vehicles before. If we knew it, how in the world did this fact slip past Martin? How could a person who claims that safety is his first priority not know it? How could a person who said that the first thing he studied when he took office was the police department not see it?
There are two explanations. One is complete incompetence. The other is that Martin was lying about what his first priority is and his first look was. The Martin Chronicles knows the explanation involves an unhealthy dose of both.
We can just imagine. "I didn't know we needed several police vehicles then. But I know it now."
Monday, May 28, 2012
TUESDAY TEASE: A Rush For More Red Ink?
Yes, The Martin Chronicles staff needs the "R&R" on this Memorial Day weekend. Our publisher has been very kind to us since our 72 hour pass began Friday. We have been working very hard for many, many months reporting on Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin's mess after all.
But we have still been keeping a watchful eye on Martin. What else can you do when you are trying to cover someone who is simultaneously so incompetent and corrupt?
During our "pool and mimosa" break we have obtained an email that betrays another stunning example of Martin's "Reign of Error". He wants to add tens of thousands of reckless RED INK-your tax dollars-to a budget that is already so far gone that he is fretting about losing his "wife's house(?)".
Tune in to the "Old MC" early tomorrow to read about Martin's latest reckless behavior.
But we have still been keeping a watchful eye on Martin. What else can you do when you are trying to cover someone who is simultaneously so incompetent and corrupt?
During our "pool and mimosa" break we have obtained an email that betrays another stunning example of Martin's "Reign of Error". He wants to add tens of thousands of reckless RED INK-your tax dollars-to a budget that is already so far gone that he is fretting about losing his "wife's house(?)".
Tune in to the "Old MC" early tomorrow to read about Martin's latest reckless behavior.
Remember Their Sacrifice
The Martin Chronicles is enjoying the Memorial Day weekend. We are in the third day of our grillout and pool party at the palatial estate of our publisher. A little rest and recreation is a great thing!
We are also remembering all of the service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice that makes it possible for us to bask in this balmy weather. We hope you do the same.
We'll have a story for you tomorrow that provides yet another glaring-and costly-example of Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin's mismanagement of YOUR money!
We are also remembering all of the service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice that makes it possible for us to bask in this balmy weather. We hope you do the same.
We'll have a story for you tomorrow that provides yet another glaring-and costly-example of Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin's mismanagement of YOUR money!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
SUNDAY COMMENTARY: Stay Cool
The Martin Chronicles knows its extremely hot. That is why our entire staff is spending most of their weekend celebrating around the pool on the palatial estate of our beloved publisher. Take the appropriate precautions to make it a continued safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. Make sure you stay hydrated. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes. Wear the appropriate amount of sunscreen.
And remember, no matter how hot it gets . . . no matter how much you sweat . . . you aren't dealing with anywhere near the amount of deserved heat facing Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin.
We know our regular readers. They are a group who really does know the truth and are people of integrity. For those Branch Norwoodians who read us and get upset because they can't figure out how we have found out so much about the havoc your hero is wreaking on your embattled city-deal with it. Why? Because we are going to continue to move on with our mission.
We have some questions for those of you who continue to defend the indefensible or choose to wring your hands or stick your head in the sand.
These are just seven questions of dozens we could ask you. The Martin Chronicles is severely disappointed in those who answered any of the questions "yes".
For those of you who aren't okay with this, there is something you should do. You need to let City Council-especially Councilmen Pope and Noll-know that this is not acceptable.
You need to email them and let them know they must hold a removal hearing and they must be open to voting "yes" if the evidence supports removing Martin. Not to undo an election. It has nothing to do with that and everything to do with Martin's misconduct over these last seventeen months.
It should be done to give Villa Hills a fighting chance to get back on track.
We know our regular readers. They are a group who really does know the truth and are people of integrity. For those Branch Norwoodians who read us and get upset because they can't figure out how we have found out so much about the havoc your hero is wreaking on your embattled city-deal with it. Why? Because we are going to continue to move on with our mission.
- Are you really okay with a mayor who earns his living as a dishonest contractor who does electrical, plumbing and commercial work without a license? How can such a "civic leader" protect you from other dishonest contractors?
- Are you really okay with a mayor who avoids paying for required permits and evades fees and taxes in his own business?
- Are you really okay with a mayor who ignores the strong advice of the City Attorney and the City's insurance company and proceeds with the destruction of documents in the middle of a serious lawsuit? A judge very directly expressed that she was not at an April 26 court hearing.
- Are you really okay with a mayor who falsified documents in a dishonest attempt to cover up his destruction of City records? Again, that is a fact that was proven both in court and by the Special Counsel's investigation.
- Are you really okay with the fact that Martin's wanton destruction of City records has become a cornerstone in another lawsuit filed against you as a taxpayer?
- Are you really okay with a mayor who has decimated your police department as a matter of official policy?
- Are you really okay with a mayor who consciously ignored serious warnings about sexual harassment in the workplace he was foolishly elected to oversee?
These are just seven questions of dozens we could ask you. The Martin Chronicles is severely disappointed in those who answered any of the questions "yes".
For those of you who aren't okay with this, there is something you should do. You need to let City Council-especially Councilmen Pope and Noll-know that this is not acceptable.
You need to email them and let them know they must hold a removal hearing and they must be open to voting "yes" if the evidence supports removing Martin. Not to undo an election. It has nothing to do with that and everything to do with Martin's misconduct over these last seventeen months.
It should be done to give Villa Hills a fighting chance to get back on track.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
The "Dumb-pire" Strikes Back!
The Martin Chronicles is surprised it took so long. Especially given the "shoddy at best" effort. No, Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin is not up for re-election in the fall. And that is too (EXPLETIVE) bad. Instead, the crudely-fashioned homemade signs that have popped up in a handful of "usual suspect's" yards around the embattled burg are a lame response to the polite "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" signs.
Sources say that Martin has been beside himself about the signs requesting his resignation. Insiders also say that Janet Martin is extremely distraught that some folks just can't grasp her husband's brilliance. Hubby goes to Haiti after all.
Phil and Regina Harmon tried the tactic of stealing "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" signs. That didn't work out too well. Now batting-jury-rigged yard signs.
Many people find it hilarious that $47.50 per hour, crony-hire, uncontracted-contract clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber has two of the poorly-made placards in her yard. Hmmmmm. Her husband is Martin's co-defendant in a serious LIBEL, SLANDER and DEFAMATION lawsuit. And, of course, Cordelia has to protect her $47.50 per hour gig. We are sure that the Martins and Schabers have been praying a lot about what to do.
So, we enter a new chapter in the disgraceful Martin era.
Sources say that Martin has been beside himself about the signs requesting his resignation. Insiders also say that Janet Martin is extremely distraught that some folks just can't grasp her husband's brilliance. Hubby goes to Haiti after all.
Phil and Regina Harmon tried the tactic of stealing "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" signs. That didn't work out too well. Now batting-jury-rigged yard signs.
Many people find it hilarious that $47.50 per hour, crony-hire, uncontracted-contract clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber has two of the poorly-made placards in her yard. Hmmmmm. Her husband is Martin's co-defendant in a serious LIBEL, SLANDER and DEFAMATION lawsuit. And, of course, Cordelia has to protect her $47.50 per hour gig. We are sure that the Martins and Schabers have been praying a lot about what to do.
So, we enter a new chapter in the disgraceful Martin era.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Martin Causes Yet ANOTHER Lawsuit
The Martin Chronicles has been quite open about the very, very, very low regard we have for that bilious blowhard County Boss Steve Arlinghaus. Arlinghaus is a textbook-case JERK. But that doesn't mean we don't have several well-placed snitches in the taxpayer-dollar-wasting-on-unapproved-extravagant-remodeling Arlinghaus' Court House.
Our snitches tell us that Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin has fumbled, stumbled, mumbled and bumbled the taxpayers into yet another lawsuit. What did "The Little Man From Norwood" do now? It appears that Martin has been lying to a resident of his embattled town about zoning issues. Martin's mendacity has enraged the resident so much that he has filed a $200,000 lawsuit against the malfeasant mayor and the taxpayers.
The best part? The plaintiff expresses concern that he won't get a fair shake in his lawsuit BECAUSE MARTIN HAS BEEN DESTROYING CITY DOCUMENTS!!! Think back to the April 26, 2012 court hearing when the judge turned a flamethrower on Martin. Remember how Martin's attorney had "no answer" when the judge asked, "Why, why, why would anyone think it was a good idea to destroy City documents in the middle of a lawsuit"?
The judge rebuked Martin for doing great harm to the residents of Villa Hills by his wanton document destruction. Well, that is now going to get worse. We will bring you all of the details as our snitches provide them. Don't worry. County Boss Arlinghaus' head is filled with so much granite dust he'll never figure out who our snitches are!!!
[PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I will be throwing a three-day-long pool party and grill out for The Martin Chronicles staff over the Memorial Day Weekend. Fear not. We will still be on the beat bringing you updates from the front lines of war-ravaged Villa Hills. Please also remember the purpose of the Memorial Day Weekend.]
Our snitches tell us that Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin has fumbled, stumbled, mumbled and bumbled the taxpayers into yet another lawsuit. What did "The Little Man From Norwood" do now? It appears that Martin has been lying to a resident of his embattled town about zoning issues. Martin's mendacity has enraged the resident so much that he has filed a $200,000 lawsuit against the malfeasant mayor and the taxpayers.
The best part? The plaintiff expresses concern that he won't get a fair shake in his lawsuit BECAUSE MARTIN HAS BEEN DESTROYING CITY DOCUMENTS!!! Think back to the April 26, 2012 court hearing when the judge turned a flamethrower on Martin. Remember how Martin's attorney had "no answer" when the judge asked, "Why, why, why would anyone think it was a good idea to destroy City documents in the middle of a lawsuit"?
The judge rebuked Martin for doing great harm to the residents of Villa Hills by his wanton document destruction. Well, that is now going to get worse. We will bring you all of the details as our snitches provide them. Don't worry. County Boss Arlinghaus' head is filled with so much granite dust he'll never figure out who our snitches are!!!
[PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I will be throwing a three-day-long pool party and grill out for The Martin Chronicles staff over the Memorial Day Weekend. Fear not. We will still be on the beat bringing you updates from the front lines of war-ravaged Villa Hills. Please also remember the purpose of the Memorial Day Weekend.]
Thursday, May 24, 2012
"Rumour Has It"
The Martin Chronicles youngest reporter thinks she can finally explain it. The rest of the staff has been trying to figure out just how Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin can handle snakes in the Branch Norwoodian Temple on Sundays and then restart his steady stream of lying the moment he exits the building.
You know the lies. Just for kicks, we will remind you of just a few of them.
Our summer-college-intern cub reporter says its simple. She says she really likes the song Rumour Has It by Adele. She told us there is a line in the song that perfectly explains what must constantly go though Martin's vacuous mind as he spins tale after tale after tale after tale after tale after tale.
"Just 'cause I said it, don't mean I meant it. Just 'cause you heard it."
Yup, that certainly works.
Here is the ongoing question you will read from The Martin Chronicles. The 2012 city council elections are just 166 days away. Will a majority of voters give Martin-assuming that he has survived what has been a shocking exposition of his criminal activity and official misconduct-a working majority on council in some foolish desire for "peace"? If they fall for it again-LOOK OUT!
You know the lies. Just for kicks, we will remind you of just a few of them.
- "I'm happy to report I'm not suing you."
- "I will bring truth and integrity to the mayor's office."
- "I found $30,000."
- "I'm not doing unlicensed electrical and plumbing work."
- "No one knew the combination to the safe."
- "I'd rather pay a little over time".
- "I only took computers that were in storage."
- "I have no idea who put the PRO ROAD TAX flyer in the Voice of Villa Hills."
- "$47.50 per hour clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber found the same $30,000."
- "Every record we burned is listed on the document I gave to city council."
- "MARY HARDMAN is responsible for the document burn."
- "I found the same $30,000 again."
- "I never had the opportunity to sit down with Phil Taliaferro's 'company'(?)."
- "I've taken the HIGH ROAD."
- "I will send the budget to you in 24 hours."
Here is the ongoing question you will read from The Martin Chronicles. The 2012 city council elections are just 166 days away. Will a majority of voters give Martin-assuming that he has survived what has been a shocking exposition of his criminal activity and official misconduct-a working majority on council in some foolish desire for "peace"? If they fall for it again-LOOK OUT!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
If They Can Send A Man To The Moon . . .
On May 25, 1961 President John F. Kennedy promised to send a man to the Moon and return him safely to Earth before the decade was out. A daunting task to be sure.
On May 16, 2012 Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin promised to send a copy of his budget proposal that he said was ready in March to city council within twenty-four hours. Sounds simple enough, right?
America did land the first men on the Moon on July 20, 1969 and returned them safely to Earth a few days later. Kennedy's promise was kept.
Today is May 23, 2012 - nearly ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHT HOURS SINCE MARTIN MADE HIS PROMISE. Villa Hills city council still has not seen Martin's budget proposal that was ready in March. The keeping of Martin's promise? Not so much.
That's one small lie for Martin. One GIANT MESS for Villa Hills.
On May 16, 2012 Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin promised to send a copy of his budget proposal that he said was ready in March to city council within twenty-four hours. Sounds simple enough, right?
America did land the first men on the Moon on July 20, 1969 and returned them safely to Earth a few days later. Kennedy's promise was kept.
Today is May 23, 2012 - nearly ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHT HOURS SINCE MARTIN MADE HIS PROMISE. Villa Hills city council still has not seen Martin's budget proposal that was ready in March. The keeping of Martin's promise? Not so much.
That's one small lie for Martin. One GIANT MESS for Villa Hills.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Budget Buffoonery TOP TEN
Even The Martin Chronicles is shocked by Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin's abject incompetence in producing a budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2013. Villa Hills' fiscal year ends on June 30. Unless Martin can somehow get his act together (did we just write that?!?!) and ram his budget proposal past what should be a highly skeptical city council over the next 40 days, Villa Hills will enter its second consecutive year without a new budget under Martin's failed leadership.
The best part? At last Wednesday's meeting Martin promised the city council that he would have his budget proposal to them within twenty-four hours. Well, let's see. That would have been some time last Thursday night. That would have been five days ago-and counting. We believe Martin's ineptitude merits a Jed Clampett-esque, "Pitiful, pitiful, pitiful.
But we are sure Martin will have an excuse at the ready. The Martin Chronicles has developed "THE TOP TEN REASONS WHY MARTIN CAN'T PRODUCE A BUDGET PROPOSAL".
10. My head told me I was too busy working on my parade.
9. My heart told me I had to do a lot more "tweaking". Too many "inaccuracies".
8. A resident flagged me down on my way to the City Building and provided great budget ideas that made me want to do a lot more "tweaking".
7. I don't care what the meeting playback shows, I never said I would have the budget to you in twenty-four hours. That's your opinion. Deal with it. We're moving on.
6. I never had the chance to sit down and talk with Phil Taliaferro's "company(?)".
5. The council won't work with me.
4. I've been very busy facing and overcoming so many obstacles. Being CEO is hard.
3. It's that last mayor's fault for not leaving me a Post-It Note or paperclip.
2. It's really MARY HARDMAN'S job to prepare the budget proposal.
AND THE MAIN REASON MARTIN CAN'T PRODUCE A BUDGET PROPOSAL.
1. I didn't know I needed to prepare the budget then. But I know I need to prepare the budget now.
The best part? At last Wednesday's meeting Martin promised the city council that he would have his budget proposal to them within twenty-four hours. Well, let's see. That would have been some time last Thursday night. That would have been five days ago-and counting. We believe Martin's ineptitude merits a Jed Clampett-esque, "Pitiful, pitiful, pitiful.
But we are sure Martin will have an excuse at the ready. The Martin Chronicles has developed "THE TOP TEN REASONS WHY MARTIN CAN'T PRODUCE A BUDGET PROPOSAL".
10. My head told me I was too busy working on my parade.
9. My heart told me I had to do a lot more "tweaking". Too many "inaccuracies".
8. A resident flagged me down on my way to the City Building and provided great budget ideas that made me want to do a lot more "tweaking".
7. I don't care what the meeting playback shows, I never said I would have the budget to you in twenty-four hours. That's your opinion. Deal with it. We're moving on.
6. I never had the chance to sit down and talk with Phil Taliaferro's "company(?)".
5. The council won't work with me.
4. I've been very busy facing and overcoming so many obstacles. Being CEO is hard.
3. It's that last mayor's fault for not leaving me a Post-It Note or paperclip.
2. It's really MARY HARDMAN'S job to prepare the budget proposal.
AND THE MAIN REASON MARTIN CAN'T PRODUCE A BUDGET PROPOSAL.
1. I didn't know I needed to prepare the budget then. But I know I need to prepare the budget now.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Time To Hit The RESET BUTTON
The Martin Chronicles is disappointed in people who fret that the city council should surrender their principles and ignore what they know is right and just turn a blind eye to all of the recently-revealed criminal activity and official misconduct of Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin. If their actual goal is to save the City from further embarrassment, these hand-wringers need to choose another course of action.
We fully understand the sanctity of the electoral process in these United States. This process is generally what makes democracy work. A slim majority of Villa Hills voters did choose Mike Martin to serve as their mayor in the 2010 election for any number of reasons. We checked. Martin won the election by 89 votes. No question about that.
However, in rare exceptions most of the fifty states provide some method to remove elected officials who are later discovered to have done something seriously wrong. Some states have provisions for recall elections. Kentucky does not provide for recall. The way terrible electoral mistakes are corrected in Kentucky cities is by a unanimous vote of its city council. Again, it should be the rare exception. In 2012 Villa Hills, council is facing that rare exception.
Martin has already received four serious reprimands from city council. One of these four reprimands was by a unanimous vote. This despite the fact that one councilman is solely concerned about his State Senate race and another is slavishly devoted to Martin.
The newly cautious Villa Hills Ethics Board has also delivered a "confidential" reprimand to Martin for what sources tell us was misuse of City personnel and resources. The Ethics Board reprimand takes any discussion about Martin's removal completely out of the realm of what some would explain away as "politics" or "infighting".
Martin's January 5, 2012 destruction of City records has yet to be addressed. That is except for the serious "dressing down" delivered by a judge on April 26, 2012. The judge strongly admonished Martin and his attorneys, saying his actions did great harm to the residents of Villa Hills.
But what was not addressed by the judge? That would be Martin's ham-handed attempt to cover-up the wilful records destruction-after Martin knew he had been caught. Despite efforts to blame some temporary hire, it was Martin who told the Public Works Director to continue the burning when he was contacted on the afternoon of January 5.
Martin also later advised the Public Works Director not to tell anyone about the destruction of the records. Martin said he didn't want a repeat of the incident where he ordered the City safe crushed open by a backhoe. It is important to note that the "safe crushing" led to a 6-0 reprimand from the city council.
The records destruction got worse. Despite being caught on January 5, sources say Martin continued to shred City documents for several days. Once gain, Martin's wanton destruction of City records was discovered-and placed into evidence.
The Martin Chronicles knows that city council is being cautious with this issue. They are rightfully concerned about the taxpayers' standing in a current, very serious lawsuit. But being proactive about Martin's egregious attempt to cover up his "records barbecue" wrongdoing may ultimately lessen the taxpayers' exposure.
Martin has engaged in behavior that is potentially a Class D FELONY. This type of behavior more than warrants removal from office.
The hand-wringers need to stop simply pining for peace. They need to let ALL the council members (especially Pope and Noll) know that they need to stop worrying about State senate elections and their slavish devotion to Martin.
It is time for Villa Hills to hit the RESET BUTTON. Martin needs to be sent packing. Will it take another 897 days for that to happen. If so, how much more damage will Martin do?
We fully understand the sanctity of the electoral process in these United States. This process is generally what makes democracy work. A slim majority of Villa Hills voters did choose Mike Martin to serve as their mayor in the 2010 election for any number of reasons. We checked. Martin won the election by 89 votes. No question about that.
However, in rare exceptions most of the fifty states provide some method to remove elected officials who are later discovered to have done something seriously wrong. Some states have provisions for recall elections. Kentucky does not provide for recall. The way terrible electoral mistakes are corrected in Kentucky cities is by a unanimous vote of its city council. Again, it should be the rare exception. In 2012 Villa Hills, council is facing that rare exception.
Martin has already received four serious reprimands from city council. One of these four reprimands was by a unanimous vote. This despite the fact that one councilman is solely concerned about his State Senate race and another is slavishly devoted to Martin.
The newly cautious Villa Hills Ethics Board has also delivered a "confidential" reprimand to Martin for what sources tell us was misuse of City personnel and resources. The Ethics Board reprimand takes any discussion about Martin's removal completely out of the realm of what some would explain away as "politics" or "infighting".
Martin's January 5, 2012 destruction of City records has yet to be addressed. That is except for the serious "dressing down" delivered by a judge on April 26, 2012. The judge strongly admonished Martin and his attorneys, saying his actions did great harm to the residents of Villa Hills.
But what was not addressed by the judge? That would be Martin's ham-handed attempt to cover-up the wilful records destruction-after Martin knew he had been caught. Despite efforts to blame some temporary hire, it was Martin who told the Public Works Director to continue the burning when he was contacted on the afternoon of January 5.
Martin also later advised the Public Works Director not to tell anyone about the destruction of the records. Martin said he didn't want a repeat of the incident where he ordered the City safe crushed open by a backhoe. It is important to note that the "safe crushing" led to a 6-0 reprimand from the city council.
The records destruction got worse. Despite being caught on January 5, sources say Martin continued to shred City documents for several days. Once gain, Martin's wanton destruction of City records was discovered-and placed into evidence.
The Martin Chronicles knows that city council is being cautious with this issue. They are rightfully concerned about the taxpayers' standing in a current, very serious lawsuit. But being proactive about Martin's egregious attempt to cover up his "records barbecue" wrongdoing may ultimately lessen the taxpayers' exposure.
Martin has engaged in behavior that is potentially a Class D FELONY. This type of behavior more than warrants removal from office.
The hand-wringers need to stop simply pining for peace. They need to let ALL the council members (especially Pope and Noll) know that they need to stop worrying about State senate elections and their slavish devotion to Martin.
It is time for Villa Hills to hit the RESET BUTTON. Martin needs to be sent packing. Will it take another 897 days for that to happen. If so, how much more damage will Martin do?
Sunday, May 20, 2012
SUNDAY COMMENTARY: False Promises
The Martin Chronicles has written about the scurrilous, dirtbag mayoral campaign of now-Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin. It was a true testament to the very worst of today's politics. Martin's campaign was so full of LIBEL, SLANDER and DEFAMATION that it set the stage for an employee to file a very serious lawsuit against Martin that has placed the taxpayers in harm's way.
Martin's dishonest effort was aided by the hillbilly lynch mob cobbled together from Civic Club vine-swingers, sanctimonious, holier-than-thou phonies from the St. Joe's Heavy Drinking Men's Society, cat-haters, embittered old tree-huggers and various and sundry other tri-cornered hat-wearing, "Don't Tread One Me" flag-waving, lunatic government-haters.The worst part? Most of these people still don't see what is happening.
Martin recently went door-to-door with his silly Unahandyman Manifesto. In it, he writes that "You are getting what you voted for".
Let's take another look at Martin's campaign rhetoric and compare it to the dreadful reality the taxpayers now face.
1. It's time for a change. We'll give Martin credit for keeping this promise. He has indeed brought change to Villa Hills City government. Martin is Villa Hills' first mayor to file a complaint against the Voice of Villa Hills to the Better Business Bureau. Martin is one of only two mayors in the history of the City to file false police reports and threaten gun violence.
Villa Hills is no longer the NUMBER ONE CITY in Northern Kentucky. All you have to do is read the dinosaur media reportage of the goings-on in Martin's town over the past few months.Thanks to "the little man from Norwood", Villa Hills has gone from "most livable" to "most laughable" in very short order.
2. Truth and integrity. Whoa Nellie! That one has not quite worked out. Want proof? Well, City Council has just strongly reprimanded Martin for Open Records violations, retaliation against employees, improper disposition of City property and improper use of City personnel and resources. The Ethics Board has also issued a reprimand against Martin.
It has also been discovered that Martin has shown total disregard for State statutes when performing unlicensed electrical and plumbing work. Martin has disqualified himself as the man who can make other contractors follow State statutes and City ordinances. Why should others follow the rules when the City's mayor totally disregards them. Almost as bad, when council members asked Martin about the rumors that he was illegally performing work without licenses prior to the January 2011 meeting (Martin's first as mayor) - he lied to them.
Still to come? The reckoning for Martin's wanton January 5, 2012 destruction of City records and his subsequent feeble attempt to cover up what he had done. As a judge rightfully said on April 26, 2012 as she rightfully dressed down Martin, he has done terrible harm to the residents he was foolishly elected to serve.
3. Transparency. Wow! Seriously?!?! Martin's government has been about as open as the old Soviet Kremlin at the height of the Cold War. A reprimand for Open Records violations. The destruction of City records. Complaints of secret Finance Committee meetings. Secret Ethics Board meetings.
If Martin thinks his '90's vintage website somehow represents his commitment to transparency, he is woefully mistaken. His actions far outweigh the minimal impact of any website.
Transparency? Once again, not hardly.
4. Greater cooperation. Let's see. How did that go again? "I'm the CEO. It's my decision. We're moving on. Deal with it." Martin is consumed with the kind of Nixon-esque hubris that brings governments to great shame.
Martin still hasn't kept his promise to get next fiscal year's budget proposal to council. It's already been almost two years since Villa Hills enacted a budget. What is the hold up? What could possibly be causing the delay? Are Martin and any willing accomplices on Mike Pope's Finance Committee trying to paper over the terrible mess that Martin has made with YOUR money.
We know the hand-wringing peaceniks just want everyone to hold hands and make nice. They are missing the point. Martin is the one setting a wretched example. The turmoil is entirely Martin's fault.
5. Safety is my first concern. Lock your doors! Martin has fouled up the budget so badly that each police cruiser may be limited to one tank of gas a week. Who's kidding who here? Martin has decimated the police force and that has led to a sharp uptick in crime. Thank goodness safety was his first concern. It looks like every Villa Hills resident should be highly concerned about their personal safety as well.
6. Repair and replacement of streets. Look out for the pot holes! Unless you count Martin's brand new concrete parking lot at the City Building or all the money being flushed down the drain with useless slab-jacking, nothing is getting done. But they still collect the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX.
Martin disingenuously claimed in 2010 that he could find extra money for street repair in the current budget. There is a major problem with that idea. THERE IS NO CURRENT BUDGET!!
7. Repeal the dreaded UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX. The Martin Chronicles is always fair. We have reviewed every bit of Martin 2010 dirtbag campaign literature and his libelous campaign website. The literature and website hold that Martin dishonestly said he would "study" the repeal of the tax.
We have also talked to several people who spoke to Martin during his mudslinging campaign. They claim Martin told them he was going to make sure the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX was repealed.
In any event, careful review of every council meeting reveals that Martin never suggested a study to repeal the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX. So, we learn that he once again lied.
Instead, Martin attempted to foist a huge property tax increase on the voters as a means of paying for street repairs. Luckily, the voters rebuked Martin and that crazy idea at the polls last November.
Martin did validate his support for the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX by convincing three foolish council members (Kilburn, Noll and Pope) to vote with him to move the collection of the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX to bilious blowhard County Boss Steve Arlinghaus' Court House.
The result? A huge shortfall in street repair money. If you pay the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX you are in a shrinking group of people who have been made a fool. If you choose not to pay the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX, Martin is in the process of suing you.
Summing it all up. We waited a little more than nine months from the day entered the mayor's office to launch our blog. Yes, we were developing sources and gathering background material. But we wanted to give the little fella a chance.
It became clear-and it is much clearer now-that Martin is far more than stupid and incompetent. Martin is also thoroughly corrupt. The Martin Chronicles is now convinced that Martin ran for mayor only as a way to get his hands on information he incorrectly thought would be the key to getting his grubby hands on $1.505MILLION of YOUR MONEY.
Martin will most likely refuse to resign in the confidence that Councilmen Pope and Noll will serve as firewalls preventing his removal. We aren't sure why Pope and Noll are willing to turn a blind eye to Martin's illegal activity and corruption, but it certainly appears that they are.
Yes, Martin is a dishonest phony. His Unahandyman Manifesto betrayed a simple, dishonest mind that tries to create a world that has its heart set on "getting" the little fella.
But The Martin Chronicles is still deeply concerned that the vapid voters will give him a working majority in just 170 days in the misguided hope for peace. Councilman Mike Pope claims that the residents who have contacted him say they believe Special Counsel's investigation is a waste of time and money. Even good-hearted people are struggling in a search for a way to stop their City's great embarrassment.
If the voters are foolish enough to reward Martin for the dishonesty and corruption that a majority on council has rightfully challenged, it will be too late to check his reckless actions. Then look out.
Martin's dishonest effort was aided by the hillbilly lynch mob cobbled together from Civic Club vine-swingers, sanctimonious, holier-than-thou phonies from the St. Joe's Heavy Drinking Men's Society, cat-haters, embittered old tree-huggers and various and sundry other tri-cornered hat-wearing, "Don't Tread One Me" flag-waving, lunatic government-haters.The worst part? Most of these people still don't see what is happening.
Martin recently went door-to-door with his silly Unahandyman Manifesto. In it, he writes that "You are getting what you voted for".
Let's take another look at Martin's campaign rhetoric and compare it to the dreadful reality the taxpayers now face.
1. It's time for a change. We'll give Martin credit for keeping this promise. He has indeed brought change to Villa Hills City government. Martin is Villa Hills' first mayor to file a complaint against the Voice of Villa Hills to the Better Business Bureau. Martin is one of only two mayors in the history of the City to file false police reports and threaten gun violence.
Villa Hills is no longer the NUMBER ONE CITY in Northern Kentucky. All you have to do is read the dinosaur media reportage of the goings-on in Martin's town over the past few months.Thanks to "the little man from Norwood", Villa Hills has gone from "most livable" to "most laughable" in very short order.
2. Truth and integrity. Whoa Nellie! That one has not quite worked out. Want proof? Well, City Council has just strongly reprimanded Martin for Open Records violations, retaliation against employees, improper disposition of City property and improper use of City personnel and resources. The Ethics Board has also issued a reprimand against Martin.
It has also been discovered that Martin has shown total disregard for State statutes when performing unlicensed electrical and plumbing work. Martin has disqualified himself as the man who can make other contractors follow State statutes and City ordinances. Why should others follow the rules when the City's mayor totally disregards them. Almost as bad, when council members asked Martin about the rumors that he was illegally performing work without licenses prior to the January 2011 meeting (Martin's first as mayor) - he lied to them.
Still to come? The reckoning for Martin's wanton January 5, 2012 destruction of City records and his subsequent feeble attempt to cover up what he had done. As a judge rightfully said on April 26, 2012 as she rightfully dressed down Martin, he has done terrible harm to the residents he was foolishly elected to serve.
3. Transparency. Wow! Seriously?!?! Martin's government has been about as open as the old Soviet Kremlin at the height of the Cold War. A reprimand for Open Records violations. The destruction of City records. Complaints of secret Finance Committee meetings. Secret Ethics Board meetings.
If Martin thinks his '90's vintage website somehow represents his commitment to transparency, he is woefully mistaken. His actions far outweigh the minimal impact of any website.
Transparency? Once again, not hardly.
4. Greater cooperation. Let's see. How did that go again? "I'm the CEO. It's my decision. We're moving on. Deal with it." Martin is consumed with the kind of Nixon-esque hubris that brings governments to great shame.
Martin still hasn't kept his promise to get next fiscal year's budget proposal to council. It's already been almost two years since Villa Hills enacted a budget. What is the hold up? What could possibly be causing the delay? Are Martin and any willing accomplices on Mike Pope's Finance Committee trying to paper over the terrible mess that Martin has made with YOUR money.
We know the hand-wringing peaceniks just want everyone to hold hands and make nice. They are missing the point. Martin is the one setting a wretched example. The turmoil is entirely Martin's fault.
5. Safety is my first concern. Lock your doors! Martin has fouled up the budget so badly that each police cruiser may be limited to one tank of gas a week. Who's kidding who here? Martin has decimated the police force and that has led to a sharp uptick in crime. Thank goodness safety was his first concern. It looks like every Villa Hills resident should be highly concerned about their personal safety as well.
6. Repair and replacement of streets. Look out for the pot holes! Unless you count Martin's brand new concrete parking lot at the City Building or all the money being flushed down the drain with useless slab-jacking, nothing is getting done. But they still collect the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX.
Martin disingenuously claimed in 2010 that he could find extra money for street repair in the current budget. There is a major problem with that idea. THERE IS NO CURRENT BUDGET!!
7. Repeal the dreaded UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX. The Martin Chronicles is always fair. We have reviewed every bit of Martin 2010 dirtbag campaign literature and his libelous campaign website. The literature and website hold that Martin dishonestly said he would "study" the repeal of the tax.
We have also talked to several people who spoke to Martin during his mudslinging campaign. They claim Martin told them he was going to make sure the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX was repealed.
In any event, careful review of every council meeting reveals that Martin never suggested a study to repeal the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX. So, we learn that he once again lied.
Instead, Martin attempted to foist a huge property tax increase on the voters as a means of paying for street repairs. Luckily, the voters rebuked Martin and that crazy idea at the polls last November.
Martin did validate his support for the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX by convincing three foolish council members (Kilburn, Noll and Pope) to vote with him to move the collection of the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX to bilious blowhard County Boss Steve Arlinghaus' Court House.
The result? A huge shortfall in street repair money. If you pay the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX you are in a shrinking group of people who have been made a fool. If you choose not to pay the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX, Martin is in the process of suing you.
Summing it all up. We waited a little more than nine months from the day entered the mayor's office to launch our blog. Yes, we were developing sources and gathering background material. But we wanted to give the little fella a chance.
It became clear-and it is much clearer now-that Martin is far more than stupid and incompetent. Martin is also thoroughly corrupt. The Martin Chronicles is now convinced that Martin ran for mayor only as a way to get his hands on information he incorrectly thought would be the key to getting his grubby hands on $1.505MILLION of YOUR MONEY.
Martin will most likely refuse to resign in the confidence that Councilmen Pope and Noll will serve as firewalls preventing his removal. We aren't sure why Pope and Noll are willing to turn a blind eye to Martin's illegal activity and corruption, but it certainly appears that they are.
Yes, Martin is a dishonest phony. His Unahandyman Manifesto betrayed a simple, dishonest mind that tries to create a world that has its heart set on "getting" the little fella.
But The Martin Chronicles is still deeply concerned that the vapid voters will give him a working majority in just 170 days in the misguided hope for peace. Councilman Mike Pope claims that the residents who have contacted him say they believe Special Counsel's investigation is a waste of time and money. Even good-hearted people are struggling in a search for a way to stop their City's great embarrassment.
If the voters are foolish enough to reward Martin for the dishonesty and corruption that a majority on council has rightfully challenged, it will be too late to check his reckless actions. Then look out.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
SUNDAY TEASE: False Promises
The Martin Chronicles reporters have spent several days reviewing Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin's specious 2010 campaign literature and LIBELOUS 2010 campaign website. When we compared the dishonest Martin's tripe to what has actually occurred over the past nearly seventeen months, it took everyone's breath away.
If you care even a little bit about the City in which you live, you must read tomorrow's post. We lay it all out.
Martin's 2010 election has led to great harm for Villa Hills. The voters can make an even bigger mistake (if that is possible) by giving Martin majority council support in the looming council election - now only 171 days away.
Read "the old MC's" post tomorrow. Tell your friends to do the same. There is a great deal at stake for the future of your community.
If you care even a little bit about the City in which you live, you must read tomorrow's post. We lay it all out.
Martin's 2010 election has led to great harm for Villa Hills. The voters can make an even bigger mistake (if that is possible) by giving Martin majority council support in the looming council election - now only 171 days away.
Read "the old MC's" post tomorrow. Tell your friends to do the same. There is a great deal at stake for the future of your community.
Take A Closer Look!
The Martin Chronicles strongly believes that the far-too-cozy relationship between Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin and $47.50 per hour, no-errors&omissions-insurance, uncontracted-contractor, crony-hire, clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber deserves much closer scrutiny than Special Counsel has seemingly given it to date. Phil Taliaferro simply shrugged his shoulders and said, "Okay, she says she didn't get them so she didn't get them" when Schaber violated the ground rules of the April 30 Special Counsel presentation by braying that she never received the interrogatories Special Counsel sent to her. That's it? No follow-up? C'mon man!
We certainly hope Special Counsel has made sure the interrogatories have since landed in Cordelia Schaber's lap. Sources tell us that the auditors who examine Villa Hills' finances annually really liked the idea of having an independent set of eyes reviewing the City's books. Cordelia Schaber is anything but independent. Remember, her husband is co-defendant with Martin in a very serious LIBEL, SLANDER and DEFAMATION lawsuit. The Schabers and Martin's do "charity" work together. Martin and Cordelia's husband are drinking buddies. All too close for comfort.
Has Cordelia Schaber come to a council meeting since being hired more than a year ago to brief council and the public about the condition of the City's finances? Absolutely not. Certainly she has been on hand at budget time at least? Nope. She has never shown her face at a council meeting. Our reporters are told that Martin won't risk having her give such a report and betraying just how clueless she truly is.
The audience gasped at the Special Counsel presentation when they learned that Cordelia Schaber was being paid $47.50 per hour. When they wake up to just how woefully unqualified she is, they will be reaching for the pitch forks and torches.
We certainly hope Special Counsel has made sure the interrogatories have since landed in Cordelia Schaber's lap. Sources tell us that the auditors who examine Villa Hills' finances annually really liked the idea of having an independent set of eyes reviewing the City's books. Cordelia Schaber is anything but independent. Remember, her husband is co-defendant with Martin in a very serious LIBEL, SLANDER and DEFAMATION lawsuit. The Schabers and Martin's do "charity" work together. Martin and Cordelia's husband are drinking buddies. All too close for comfort.
Has Cordelia Schaber come to a council meeting since being hired more than a year ago to brief council and the public about the condition of the City's finances? Absolutely not. Certainly she has been on hand at budget time at least? Nope. She has never shown her face at a council meeting. Our reporters are told that Martin won't risk having her give such a report and betraying just how clueless she truly is.
The audience gasped at the Special Counsel presentation when they learned that Cordelia Schaber was being paid $47.50 per hour. When they wake up to just how woefully unqualified she is, they will be reaching for the pitch forks and torches.
Friday, May 18, 2012
WEEKEND TEASE: The Grim Reality
The Martin Chronicles will spend Saturday exploring the sordid relationship between Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin and his crony-hire, uncontracted-contract employee, $47.50 per hour clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber.
We are also putting the finishing touches on our SUNDAY COMMENTARY. We are going to examine the many false promises Martin made during his 2010 dirtbag mayoral campaign. Check out our scorecard as we show you how the lie-filled reality has crashed headlong into Martin's many deceits.
Be sure to get your daily dose of "the old MC" this weekend!
We are also putting the finishing touches on our SUNDAY COMMENTARY. We are going to examine the many false promises Martin made during his 2010 dirtbag mayoral campaign. Check out our scorecard as we show you how the lie-filled reality has crashed headlong into Martin's many deceits.
Be sure to get your daily dose of "the old MC" this weekend!
A Question For Phil And Regina Harmon
The Martin Chronicles has confirmed through multiple reliable sources that Phil and Regina Harmon defend their theft of one of the polite "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" signs, saying they pinched it because it was in front of the City sign. A photo posted on cincinnati.com on May 8 proves the sign was not where the Harmons claim it was when they stole it.
Now our question for Phil and Regina. Why haven't you ripped off the Villa Hills Garden Club Flower Sale sign that actually has been squatting square in front of the City sign for a week?
How would Janet Martin describe that? Oh, that's right. A DOUBLE STANDARD!
Now our question for Phil and Regina. Why haven't you ripped off the Villa Hills Garden Club Flower Sale sign that actually has been squatting square in front of the City sign for a week?
How would Janet Martin describe that? Oh, that's right. A DOUBLE STANDARD!
That's A Lot Of Tweaking
The Martin Chronicles thinks Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin's budget fiasco is absurd. The incompetent Martin has sailed his "Ship of Fools" into a stormy sea of red ink. Keep in mind that the City has had three unfilled positions for many, many, many months. No salaries No health care costs. No retirement costs. These facts alone should have translated into a significant budget surplus. Instead, Martin has been begging council to give him a SIX-FIGURE BUDGET AMENDMENT in order to save his "wife's house(?)."
It is being very generous to say that Martin's handling of the City budget has been a disaster of epic proportions. Money is now so tight that there are plans being seriously considered to limit each police officer to using one tank of gas a week. Note to all criminals considering Villa Hills as a target. Wait until at least Thursday. You'll have a better chance of eluding police officers when they are on foot.
We have established that Martin is incapable of managing the City budget. So then why has it taken him such a painfully long time to prepare the coming fiscal year's budget proposal? What's the big deal? Throw something out there! You'll foul it all up anyway! C'mon man!
How much different can next year's City budget be from the current year's City budget? Is Martin planning to announce that Villa Hills is launching a space program? Is Martin planning to build a multi-level concrete parking lot on City property? Perhaps the CEO is hoping to give Cordelia Schaber a substantial pay raise? After all, who can live on $47.50 per hour?
What is taking so long? Could it be that Martin is chiseling his budget figures on to stone tablets? Or maybe on one of County Boss Steve Arlinghaus' grossly over-priced granite counter tops? Has he hired a scribe to write his budget on a papyrus scroll? Perhaps a fleet of skywriters?
Martin says he hasn't finished "tweaking" his budget proposal yet. Alright already. Enough of the freaking tweaking. Unless Martin intends to hire the eighth police officer his budget is most likely DOA anyway. Much like the entire City government.
Bugler, sound Taps.
It is being very generous to say that Martin's handling of the City budget has been a disaster of epic proportions. Money is now so tight that there are plans being seriously considered to limit each police officer to using one tank of gas a week. Note to all criminals considering Villa Hills as a target. Wait until at least Thursday. You'll have a better chance of eluding police officers when they are on foot.
We have established that Martin is incapable of managing the City budget. So then why has it taken him such a painfully long time to prepare the coming fiscal year's budget proposal? What's the big deal? Throw something out there! You'll foul it all up anyway! C'mon man!
How much different can next year's City budget be from the current year's City budget? Is Martin planning to announce that Villa Hills is launching a space program? Is Martin planning to build a multi-level concrete parking lot on City property? Perhaps the CEO is hoping to give Cordelia Schaber a substantial pay raise? After all, who can live on $47.50 per hour?
What is taking so long? Could it be that Martin is chiseling his budget figures on to stone tablets? Or maybe on one of County Boss Steve Arlinghaus' grossly over-priced granite counter tops? Has he hired a scribe to write his budget on a papyrus scroll? Perhaps a fleet of skywriters?
Martin says he hasn't finished "tweaking" his budget proposal yet. Alright already. Enough of the freaking tweaking. Unless Martin intends to hire the eighth police officer his budget is most likely DOA anyway. Much like the entire City government.
Bugler, sound Taps.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Last Night Was A Serious Turn
The Martin Chronicles believes even Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin is beginning to understand the seriousness of the situation in which he has placed himself and the taxpayers. Martin's dishonesty was laid bare before God and the cameras at last night's council meeting.
Early in the meeting Martin was caught lying when he claimed he had never been given the opportunity to meet with Phil Taliaferro's "company(?)". When Martin was asked about what the "inaccuracies" in Special Counsel's report were he oddly replied, "That's coming". Will they come before or after Martin's City budget proposal? It won't matter anyway. It is clear Martin is lying about everything.
Martin and city council had a lengthy executive session. Sources say that the closed door session must have been extremely contentious, judging by the volume of the shouting. Never a sign that things are going well.
Council delivered several hay-makers to Martin when they returned from executive session. Martin was slapped with FOUR REPRIMANDS involving open records violations, employee retaliation, misuse of City personnel and resources and destruction of City property. Council also voted to turn over all the evidence of Martin's unlicensed electrical, plumbing and commercial work to the proper authorities.
The Martin Chronicles finds it interesting that Martin's City records destruction was not mentioned. We suspect that one reason it was absent is the lawsuit filed by a City employee against Martin.
We aren't sure how much that matters at this point. A judge already rebuked Martin for his "records barbecue". Martin's attorney had no answer whatsoever for why his client would destroy records in the middle of a lawsuit. It is hard to imagine that the City's position could be weakened any further. Martin has made it about as bad as it can possibly get.
So why else wasn't it mentioned? We believe the wanton document destruction and Martin's ham-handed attempt to cover it up will be the most serious charge in a looming removal hearing.
Early in the meeting Martin was caught lying when he claimed he had never been given the opportunity to meet with Phil Taliaferro's "company(?)". When Martin was asked about what the "inaccuracies" in Special Counsel's report were he oddly replied, "That's coming". Will they come before or after Martin's City budget proposal? It won't matter anyway. It is clear Martin is lying about everything.
Martin and city council had a lengthy executive session. Sources say that the closed door session must have been extremely contentious, judging by the volume of the shouting. Never a sign that things are going well.
Council delivered several hay-makers to Martin when they returned from executive session. Martin was slapped with FOUR REPRIMANDS involving open records violations, employee retaliation, misuse of City personnel and resources and destruction of City property. Council also voted to turn over all the evidence of Martin's unlicensed electrical, plumbing and commercial work to the proper authorities.
The Martin Chronicles finds it interesting that Martin's City records destruction was not mentioned. We suspect that one reason it was absent is the lawsuit filed by a City employee against Martin.
We aren't sure how much that matters at this point. A judge already rebuked Martin for his "records barbecue". Martin's attorney had no answer whatsoever for why his client would destroy records in the middle of a lawsuit. It is hard to imagine that the City's position could be weakened any further. Martin has made it about as bad as it can possibly get.
So why else wasn't it mentioned? We believe the wanton document destruction and Martin's ham-handed attempt to cover it up will be the most serious charge in a looming removal hearing.
By The Numbers
The Martin Chronicles is rapidly approaching another readership milestone. We are hours away from hosting "unique visitor" 35,000! With all modesty, we had no idea that our audience would grow so quickly when we launched on October 8, 2011. But then we didn't know that Villa Hills Mayor Martin would (EXPLETIVE) things up so badly and at such a rapid pace either! Neither our loyal audience nor "The Little CEO" have let us down!
Martin's budget numbers may be DOA. But while we are celebrating our BIG NUMBER, we think some other numbers are worth looking at.
$47.50: The amount of money YOU are paying Martin crony Cordelia Schaber per hour to foul up the City's finances.
$15: The unprecedented-for-part-time amount of money YOU paid Martin crony Mary Hardman per hour to serve as a scapegoat for Martin's illegal City records destruction.
1: The number of the polite "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" signs witnesses are sure Phil and Regina Harmon have stolen.
2: The number of times Martin told council that the falsified document he gave them listed all the City records he improperly destroyed on January 5, 2012.
$125,000: The amount of the budget amendment Martin pleaded with council to pass. Also YOUR money.
$10,200: The amount of YOUR money Martin squandered on City Attorney fees in April alone.
$65,000: The amount of YOUR money Martin has over-spent on City Attorney fees this year.
$75,000: The amount of YOUR money Martin cost the City's Roads Program by his bonehead move of the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX collection to that bilious blowhard County Boss Steve Arlinghaus' Court House.
173: The number of days until this year's council election. Will Martin still be around and campaigning for you to vote him a council majority who will allow him to do as he pleases?
15: The number of Civic Club candidates Martin co-defendant Dale Schaber hopes to run in the upcoming council election.
18: The number of orange red cones in the TAXPAYER-FUNDED, crater-filled, Mike Martin personal concrete parking lot at the City Building!
0: The percent of REAL ROAD REPAIR Martin has done with the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX since taking office.
901: The number of days Martin will have to wreak havoc with YOUR money if he remains in office for his entire term.
2: The number of police officers YOUR department has been short-handed for many, many, many months.
3: The number of unfilled City positions for many, many, many months. So how is it again that Martin has the City swimming in an ocean of red ink?
3: Also the same number of times Martin claims either he or Cordelia Schaber found the same $30,000 that neither of them ever found.
70: Martin's estimated IQ.
139: The number of days since Martin declined Special Counsel's invitation to cooperate with their investigation. This despite Martin's HUGE LIE about not being asked to sit down with Phil Taliaferro's "company"!
Despite all the numbers, there is something about Martin that just doesn't add up.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: We will have reports on last night's very eventful council meeting in the hours ahead.]
Martin's budget numbers may be DOA. But while we are celebrating our BIG NUMBER, we think some other numbers are worth looking at.
$47.50: The amount of money YOU are paying Martin crony Cordelia Schaber per hour to foul up the City's finances.
$15: The unprecedented-for-part-time amount of money YOU paid Martin crony Mary Hardman per hour to serve as a scapegoat for Martin's illegal City records destruction.
1: The number of the polite "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" signs witnesses are sure Phil and Regina Harmon have stolen.
2: The number of times Martin told council that the falsified document he gave them listed all the City records he improperly destroyed on January 5, 2012.
$125,000: The amount of the budget amendment Martin pleaded with council to pass. Also YOUR money.
$10,200: The amount of YOUR money Martin squandered on City Attorney fees in April alone.
$65,000: The amount of YOUR money Martin has over-spent on City Attorney fees this year.
$75,000: The amount of YOUR money Martin cost the City's Roads Program by his bonehead move of the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX collection to that bilious blowhard County Boss Steve Arlinghaus' Court House.
173: The number of days until this year's council election. Will Martin still be around and campaigning for you to vote him a council majority who will allow him to do as he pleases?
15: The number of Civic Club candidates Martin co-defendant Dale Schaber hopes to run in the upcoming council election.
18: The number of orange red cones in the TAXPAYER-FUNDED, crater-filled, Mike Martin personal concrete parking lot at the City Building!
0: The percent of REAL ROAD REPAIR Martin has done with the UNFAIR $40 PER CAR STICKER TAX since taking office.
901: The number of days Martin will have to wreak havoc with YOUR money if he remains in office for his entire term.
2: The number of police officers YOUR department has been short-handed for many, many, many months.
3: The number of unfilled City positions for many, many, many months. So how is it again that Martin has the City swimming in an ocean of red ink?
3: Also the same number of times Martin claims either he or Cordelia Schaber found the same $30,000 that neither of them ever found.
70: Martin's estimated IQ.
139: The number of days since Martin declined Special Counsel's invitation to cooperate with their investigation. This despite Martin's HUGE LIE about not being asked to sit down with Phil Taliaferro's "company"!
Despite all the numbers, there is something about Martin that just doesn't add up.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: We will have reports on last night's very eventful council meeting in the hours ahead.]
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
STILL No Budget!
The Martin Chronicles reminds all of the sleepy Villa Hills residents who are still foolishly standing on the sidelines that it is mid-May. State statute mandates that the mayor present a new budget for passage by the end of the fiscal year. In Villa Hills' case that is June 30. Not very far away. In the meantime, Martin is squandering YOUR money.
Martin still has not presented a budget. He promises to have it ready tomorrow. After tonight's council meeting. Is that a fact? Just like Martin, that plan is a tremendous joke. Everyone on Mike Pope's Finance Committee should resign in abject shame. They are co-conspirators in Martin's fraud, deceit and deception.
Perhaps Martin should ask Mary Koenig for help with the budget. How much worse can it get? At best, it is a case of colossal mismanagement and incompetence.
Martin still has not presented a budget. He promises to have it ready tomorrow. After tonight's council meeting. Is that a fact? Just like Martin, that plan is a tremendous joke. Everyone on Mike Pope's Finance Committee should resign in abject shame. They are co-conspirators in Martin's fraud, deceit and deception.
Perhaps Martin should ask Mary Koenig for help with the budget. How much worse can it get? At best, it is a case of colossal mismanagement and incompetence.
Martin Caught In Colossal Lie
The Martin Chronicles is watching tonight's Villa Hills City Council meeting with amazement. Mayor Mike Martin repeated his lie about not having the opportunity to talk to Phil Taliaferro's "company"(?) about the inaccuracies in Special Counsel's report.
Mr. Taliaferro laid the paper trail in front of Martin exposing the "LITTLE CEO" to the world for the LIAR that he is. Martin was asked to sign it and could only lamely respond that he would not sign anything before talking to his attorney. Uh-oh.
By the way, "Mommie Dearest" is back. Mary Koenig, the former council woman who foisted Steve Clark on the City of Villa Hills has now taken on the role of Mike Martin's chief defender. The Martin Chronicles couldn't be happier.
If Councilmen Pope and or Noll endorse the mayor's criminal behavior and vote against removing Martin in the upcoming removal hearing, a slate of candidates should run promising the voters that they will remove Martin from office to get the City back in track.
If the voters then reward Martin for his criminal activity, the City deserves whatever it gets.
Mr. Taliaferro laid the paper trail in front of Martin exposing the "LITTLE CEO" to the world for the LIAR that he is. Martin was asked to sign it and could only lamely respond that he would not sign anything before talking to his attorney. Uh-oh.
By the way, "Mommie Dearest" is back. Mary Koenig, the former council woman who foisted Steve Clark on the City of Villa Hills has now taken on the role of Mike Martin's chief defender. The Martin Chronicles couldn't be happier.
If Councilmen Pope and or Noll endorse the mayor's criminal behavior and vote against removing Martin in the upcoming removal hearing, a slate of candidates should run promising the voters that they will remove Martin from office to get the City back in track.
If the voters then reward Martin for his criminal activity, the City deserves whatever it gets.
Watch Tonight's Council Meeting!
The Martin Chronicles says if you can't be there, watch tonight's City Council meeting. It will be one for the ages.
Full MC reportage of the meeting will be coming in the days ahead!
Full MC reportage of the meeting will be coming in the days ahead!
Let's Get This Straight Before Tonight
The Martin Chronicles is very happy to see other media outlets taking a very active interest in Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin's misconduct and illegal activity. There is a big ramp-up leading towards tonight's council meeting. But they need to get something sorted out in their reporting.
Reporters need to wrap their minds around the fact that the turmoil does not represent Mayor v. City Council. When Martin's current mess is framed that way, it plays right into the hands of bilious blowhards like County Boss Steve Arlinghaus and all the other pinhead, self-serving interest groups who falsely portray Martin as some kind of helpless victim. That is utter nonsense.
The problems here are a direct result of Martin v. The Law and Martin v. Good Governance.
Despite the putrid pontifications of the vine-swingers and mouth-breathers, the turmoil is not about City Council trying to undo the results of the last election. It is all about Martin's complete undoing of Villa Hills City government.
Martin is completely responsible for Villa Hills' race to the bottom. This is Martin's Malfeasance v. Martin's Mismanagement.
Reporters need to wrap their minds around the fact that the turmoil does not represent Mayor v. City Council. When Martin's current mess is framed that way, it plays right into the hands of bilious blowhards like County Boss Steve Arlinghaus and all the other pinhead, self-serving interest groups who falsely portray Martin as some kind of helpless victim. That is utter nonsense.
The problems here are a direct result of Martin v. The Law and Martin v. Good Governance.
- Who is responsible for the destruction of City records on January 5, 2012? Martin!
- Who has decimated the Villa Hills Police Department? Martin!
- Who is responsible for all the Open Records violations? Martin!
- Who has been doing illegal unlicensed electrical and plumbing work? Martin!
- Who has been begging council for a six-figure budget amendment to cover his profligate spending? Martin!
- Who triggered a very serious lawsuit against the City by his reckless retaliation? Martin!
- Who is accused of ignoring very serious allegations of sexual harassment? Martin!
- Who has still not presented a budget for FY2013? Martin!
Despite the putrid pontifications of the vine-swingers and mouth-breathers, the turmoil is not about City Council trying to undo the results of the last election. It is all about Martin's complete undoing of Villa Hills City government.
Martin is completely responsible for Villa Hills' race to the bottom. This is Martin's Malfeasance v. Martin's Mismanagement.
Did Martin Meet With Special Counsel?
The Martin Chronicles asks you to think back to the media reportage following the April 30 Special Counsel presentation into their initial findings in to the misconduct and illegal activity of Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin. What did Martin claim? He said their were several "inaccuracies" in Special Counsel's report. He also falsely claimed that he was not offered the opportunity to sit down with Phil Taliaferro's "company"(?).
Not surprisingly, Martin was simply spouting more lies. It was Martin himself who declined to talk to Special Counsel, citing that to do so was "not in his best interest" in a December email. But that specious claim was just another dishonest attempt to portray himself as some innocent victim of council members, who as the hand-wringing peaceniks put it, haven't "given Martin a chance".
The "Little Man From Norwood" has had to face and overcome so many obstacles. He said so in his "Unahandyman Manifesto". His biggest obstacle? His complete inability to tell the truth about anything ever. But what else should we expect from the con artist contractor?
As we posted on May 10, Special Counsel has extended another invitation for Martin to sit down with them to clear up the mayor's alleged "inaccuracies". Special Counsel wanted the meeting to occur before the council meeting and offered to videotape it to ensure that the record of Martin's answers were indisputable. Seems more than fair to us.
Martin has been shooting his mendacious mouth of for years. He has always been able to lie through his teeth with no one holding him accountable. Now, the Special Counsel has called Martin's deceitful bluff. A council member should ask Martin if he took Special Counsel up on the gracious offer. Martin certainly should have. Let's get those "inaccuracies" out on the proverbial table.
The beleaguered residents of Villa Hills have a right to know. We will be watching tonight.
Not surprisingly, Martin was simply spouting more lies. It was Martin himself who declined to talk to Special Counsel, citing that to do so was "not in his best interest" in a December email. But that specious claim was just another dishonest attempt to portray himself as some innocent victim of council members, who as the hand-wringing peaceniks put it, haven't "given Martin a chance".
The "Little Man From Norwood" has had to face and overcome so many obstacles. He said so in his "Unahandyman Manifesto". His biggest obstacle? His complete inability to tell the truth about anything ever. But what else should we expect from the con artist contractor?
As we posted on May 10, Special Counsel has extended another invitation for Martin to sit down with them to clear up the mayor's alleged "inaccuracies". Special Counsel wanted the meeting to occur before the council meeting and offered to videotape it to ensure that the record of Martin's answers were indisputable. Seems more than fair to us.
Martin has been shooting his mendacious mouth of for years. He has always been able to lie through his teeth with no one holding him accountable. Now, the Special Counsel has called Martin's deceitful bluff. A council member should ask Martin if he took Special Counsel up on the gracious offer. Martin certainly should have. Let's get those "inaccuracies" out on the proverbial table.
The beleaguered residents of Villa Hills have a right to know. We will be watching tonight.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Noll Owes A Serious Explanation
The Martin Chronicles strongly believes that Councilman Jim Noll owes an honest explanation to the residents of the City who gave him more votes than any other council candidate in the 2010 election. What Noll has done is an absolute disgrace.
The scene? Monday, April 30 at River Ridge Elementary. Special Counsel had just concluded a far too folksy presentation of the preliminary results of their investigation in to the misconduct of Mayor Mike Martin (Despite the sub par presentation, the media accurately reported the explosive nature of Martin's misconduct). Never one to miss the opportunity for "face time", Noll strode to the microphones and reporter's note pads to introduce himself as a candidate for State Senate and glibly pronounce that he had seen "nothing new. Is that a fact? No kidding? You don't say?
We freely admit that we have held Councilman Noll in low regard since the outset of his hapless first-and mercifully only term- on Villa Hills City Council. Noll was unaware what a caucus meeting is. Like Martin, Noll has also been slapped with a "confidential" reprimand by the Villa Hills Ethics Board. Reliable sources have reported that Noll has arrived at council meetings in an "altered state of consciousness" on multiple occasions. Noll is dealing with serious allegations of sexually harassing a City employee. Noll cloyingly tries to act as if a mediator is the answer to all of the terrible problems Martin has created. To sum it up, Noll is a joke.
So what is the big deal about Noll saying he heard "nothing new"? The other five council members knew they had seen strong evidence of official misconduct and illegal activity for the very first time. If they commented to the media at all, the other five were very cautious and stressed the need to thoughtfully examine the forty-five page report Special Counsel provided them just that night. But not Noll.
Noll is purportedly an attorney by trade. He is an officer of the Court. That carries with it certain clearly delineated duties and responsibilities. Should the public conclude from Noll's comments that he was already aware of Martin's misconduct and illegal activity? A reasonable person would have every right to believe so.
If Noll was already aware of Martin's misconduct and illegal activities, why has he not come forward about them? A failure to do so is a very serious matter. To say that turning a blind eye to Martin's corruption disqualifies Noll to serve in the State Senate is obvious. Worse yet, it could cost Noll his license to practice law.
Defense attorneys always avoid asking their clients if they committed the crime for which they have been charged. Why, because if the answer is"yes" and they move forward with the presentation of a knowingly false defense they are perpetrating a fraud on the Court. That is a grievous offense.
Is Noll serious? Even if he was simply playing a cynical game of politics, he has clearly crossed the line. The public has every right to demand an explanation from Noll for such behavior.
Many are convinced that Noll is hoping this is kept "under the rug" just long enough to get through his State Senate run. He wants to keep his ethics rebuke and the sexual harassment allegations against him out of the media just long enough for the voters to punch his ticket to Frankfort. What happens after that will be a problem for the Democrat Party machine to deal with.
But the explanation should be given at Wednesday's council meeting. We will be watching.
The scene? Monday, April 30 at River Ridge Elementary. Special Counsel had just concluded a far too folksy presentation of the preliminary results of their investigation in to the misconduct of Mayor Mike Martin (Despite the sub par presentation, the media accurately reported the explosive nature of Martin's misconduct). Never one to miss the opportunity for "face time", Noll strode to the microphones and reporter's note pads to introduce himself as a candidate for State Senate and glibly pronounce that he had seen "nothing new. Is that a fact? No kidding? You don't say?
We freely admit that we have held Councilman Noll in low regard since the outset of his hapless first-and mercifully only term- on Villa Hills City Council. Noll was unaware what a caucus meeting is. Like Martin, Noll has also been slapped with a "confidential" reprimand by the Villa Hills Ethics Board. Reliable sources have reported that Noll has arrived at council meetings in an "altered state of consciousness" on multiple occasions. Noll is dealing with serious allegations of sexually harassing a City employee. Noll cloyingly tries to act as if a mediator is the answer to all of the terrible problems Martin has created. To sum it up, Noll is a joke.
So what is the big deal about Noll saying he heard "nothing new"? The other five council members knew they had seen strong evidence of official misconduct and illegal activity for the very first time. If they commented to the media at all, the other five were very cautious and stressed the need to thoughtfully examine the forty-five page report Special Counsel provided them just that night. But not Noll.
Noll is purportedly an attorney by trade. He is an officer of the Court. That carries with it certain clearly delineated duties and responsibilities. Should the public conclude from Noll's comments that he was already aware of Martin's misconduct and illegal activity? A reasonable person would have every right to believe so.
If Noll was already aware of Martin's misconduct and illegal activities, why has he not come forward about them? A failure to do so is a very serious matter. To say that turning a blind eye to Martin's corruption disqualifies Noll to serve in the State Senate is obvious. Worse yet, it could cost Noll his license to practice law.
Defense attorneys always avoid asking their clients if they committed the crime for which they have been charged. Why, because if the answer is"yes" and they move forward with the presentation of a knowingly false defense they are perpetrating a fraud on the Court. That is a grievous offense.
Is Noll serious? Even if he was simply playing a cynical game of politics, he has clearly crossed the line. The public has every right to demand an explanation from Noll for such behavior.
Many are convinced that Noll is hoping this is kept "under the rug" just long enough to get through his State Senate run. He wants to keep his ethics rebuke and the sexual harassment allegations against him out of the media just long enough for the voters to punch his ticket to Frankfort. What happens after that will be a problem for the Democrat Party machine to deal with.
But the explanation should be given at Wednesday's council meeting. We will be watching.
Monday, May 14, 2012
AFTERNOON UPDATE: Give Martin A Chance!
The Martin Chronicles just can't stop chuckling about the lament of those hand-wringing peaceniks who commented to the Kentucky Enquirer that the old meanies on council just haven't given Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin "a chance". The fact of the matter is that the "Little CEO" started to lie to those council members even before the January 2011 council meeting.
With barf bags nearby, we went back and watched the January 2011 council meeting. The peaceniks should do the same thing. What we saw and they would see was a veritable lovefest. Until something happened that Martin didn't like. When Martin learned that the building inspection responsibilities had been shifted to the police department the little fella went ballistic. Martin was so over the top that the City Attorney advised him to be quiet. Always knowing better, Martin continued on his rant anyway.
So why was the "Little Man From Norwood" so upset? Because the City's Civil Service ordinance would now make it far harder for him to (EXPLETIVE) over Joe Schutzman. Martin ran for mayor to exact Branch Norwoodian-style vengeance on all of those people who had wronged him. Martin believed Schutzman exposed him to public humiliation over Martin's forgery rap. It was supposed to be payback time. Now it was going to be harder. It has been all downhill ever since.
So how would things be different if council had given Martin a chance?
Everybody's talkin' bout lyin', fryin', cronyism, phonyism, finger-pointin', blame-layin'
this-ism', that-ism'
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
(C'mon)
Everybody's talkin' 'bout 'lectricians, plumbers, licenses, commercial work, gum-chewing quirks, harassed clerks, what a jerk
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
(Let me tell you now)
Everybody's talkin' 'bout mediation, conflagration, celebration, resignation,
CEO's, EIO's, Uh-oh's and Oh-no's
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
(Here we go)
Everybody's talkin 'bout double standards, booze tankards, time clocks, prayer flocks,
witch hunts, mob stunts, red ink, group think
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
(Repeat for the rest of the night.)
Isn't this fun?
- Police Chief Dan Goodenough and Assistant Chief Joe Schutzman would have been sentenced to the gulag long ago.
- The City would be sinking into an even deeper sea of red ink.
- The taxpayers would be exposed to even more serious lawsuits.
- Martin would be holding weekly City "weenie roasts" using City records as kindling.
- No one would ever get an Open Records request filled. Not now. Not ever, Never.
- Phil and Regina Harmon would be contracted by Martin to serve as the official City First Amendment deniers.
- Sexual harassment of City employees would be more than simply ignored. It would become an official City policy.
- Martin would not only continue to do illegal electrical and plumbing work, he would use the City offices as World Headquarters of Mike Martin Electric, Inc. Uh, wait a minute. He is already doing that.
- Martin would crush every piece of City equipment with a back hoe. Hey, why not? He's the CEO. It's his decision. We're moving on. Deal with it.
- Every single meeting would be a secret meeting. Shoot, they are a lot more fun!
- Martin would file false police reports against every resident. Why? Again, because he is the CEO.
- Martin would file even more bogus Better Business Bureau complaints against any rival or enemy.
- Council would pass Martin's annual $3MILLION-PLUS budget without question and give him an additional budget amendment of $1MILLION at the very beginning of each fiscal year.
Everybody's talkin' bout lyin', fryin', cronyism, phonyism, finger-pointin', blame-layin'
this-ism', that-ism'
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
(C'mon)
Everybody's talkin' 'bout 'lectricians, plumbers, licenses, commercial work, gum-chewing quirks, harassed clerks, what a jerk
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
(Let me tell you now)
Everybody's talkin' 'bout mediation, conflagration, celebration, resignation,
CEO's, EIO's, Uh-oh's and Oh-no's
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
(Here we go)
Everybody's talkin 'bout double standards, booze tankards, time clocks, prayer flocks,
witch hunts, mob stunts, red ink, group think
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
All we are saaaaaa-ying - is give Martin a chance!
(Repeat for the rest of the night.)
Isn't this fun?
What Will Wednesday Bring?
The Martin Chronicles reminds everyone that the monthly Villa Hills City Council meeting is this Wednesday evening. The meeting convenes at 7PM. As has been the case, the meeting will open with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. What happens after that is uncertain.
We are fairly sure that at some point the council will move to go into executive session. Why? Most likely to discuss the revelations from the Monday, April 30 Special Counsel presentation. The justification? Some of the issues raised by Special Counsel could have an impact on pending litigation. What pending litigation? The current serious lawsuit against Mike Martin filed by a City employee for LIBEL, SLANDER, DEFAMATION and RETALIATION.
We understand that the City-and the taxpayers-are in a very precarious position. There are certain things which should be privately discussed to protect the taxpayers as much as possible. But there are also certain things that absolutely should not be kept secret.
Will council take any of the "players" in the growing scandal behind closed doors? Will they want to question those "players" about the role they played in the Open Records fiasco? The document destruction? This may be a very bad idea.
Let's consider the issue of the document destruction. The Martin Chronicles has been relaying the facts of that scandal since it happened on January 5, 2012. Despite strong warnings from the City Attorney and the Kentucky League of Cities to preserve ALL City records during the lawsuit, a large volume of those records was targeted for destruction is a hastily dug firepit. Had it not been for the chance arrival of law enforcement, no one would have ever discovered what happened.
The document burn is scandalous. It is potentially a Class D felony. It is mayoral misconduct writ large. Why hide the facts from the public? The proverbial horse is out of the barn and galloping into the next county.
Martin falsely campaigned on a promise of "transparency". The events of the past sixteen-plus months have demonstrated that was just another of Martin's many lies. We urge the council to deal with this issue in the full light of day.
The public has every right to know the truth.
We are fairly sure that at some point the council will move to go into executive session. Why? Most likely to discuss the revelations from the Monday, April 30 Special Counsel presentation. The justification? Some of the issues raised by Special Counsel could have an impact on pending litigation. What pending litigation? The current serious lawsuit against Mike Martin filed by a City employee for LIBEL, SLANDER, DEFAMATION and RETALIATION.
We understand that the City-and the taxpayers-are in a very precarious position. There are certain things which should be privately discussed to protect the taxpayers as much as possible. But there are also certain things that absolutely should not be kept secret.
Will council take any of the "players" in the growing scandal behind closed doors? Will they want to question those "players" about the role they played in the Open Records fiasco? The document destruction? This may be a very bad idea.
Let's consider the issue of the document destruction. The Martin Chronicles has been relaying the facts of that scandal since it happened on January 5, 2012. Despite strong warnings from the City Attorney and the Kentucky League of Cities to preserve ALL City records during the lawsuit, a large volume of those records was targeted for destruction is a hastily dug firepit. Had it not been for the chance arrival of law enforcement, no one would have ever discovered what happened.
- We know that State statutes mandating the legal prcedure for the destruction of documents were ignored.
- We know that Martin told the Public Works Director to keep the destruction a secret.
- We know that Martin questioned the Public Works Director and the Police Chief on January 6, 2012 in an unsuccessful attempt to learn what documents had been recovered-and logged in as evidence.
- We know that a document was falsified that afternoon outlining what had been destroyed.
- We know that the falsified document was back-dated to January 3, 2012 and signed by a temporary clerk who was supposed to have been hired to "help out with tax season". Why didn't the Custodian of Records-the interim City Clerk-sign the falsified document?
- We know that strong evidence exists that the wanton document destruction continued even after January 6, 2012.
- We know that Martin falsely assured council that all of the records destroyed were on the falsified list.
- We know that Martin was rebuked by a judge on April 26, 2012 when it was proven in court that the falsified list was, how to politely put it, very incomplete.
The document burn is scandalous. It is potentially a Class D felony. It is mayoral misconduct writ large. Why hide the facts from the public? The proverbial horse is out of the barn and galloping into the next county.
Martin falsely campaigned on a promise of "transparency". The events of the past sixteen-plus months have demonstrated that was just another of Martin's many lies. We urge the council to deal with this issue in the full light of day.
The public has every right to know the truth.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
SUNDAY COMMENTARY: Make It A GOOD Lie
The Martin Chronicles gets it. Villa Hill Mayor Mike Martin is a Norwood street brawler. "The Little CEO" has oozed through life by perpetually throwing so much (EXPLETIVE) against the wall he always counted on at least just enough of it to stick.
In Martin's mind, the truth is meaningless. His goal has always been to "make it through today" by telling any lie he has to. He will deal with tomorrow with a whole new set of lies when it gets here.
But when you have been foolishly entrusted to run a City government, and you are under investigation for all manner of serious misconduct-well, that strategy probably won't work. Why? Because people will ask follow-up questions. They will check and double-check your claims. Martin can no longer get by hoping that people will simply make the risky assumption that he is telling the truth.
The most recent example? Martin has been caught doing unlicensed electrical, plumbing and commercial work in Northern Kentucky. As other media outlets have also reported, contractors have gone to jail for that offense. Martin knows he is in trouble. So, he has started throwing (EXPLETIVE) against the wall again.
You see, Martin is claiming that he has performed no unlicensed work. Martin is claiming that all he has done is sell electrical supplies. Look out for the "Little Man From Norwood"! He's not gonna to take it! He's gonna get ya!
Uh, wait a minute. One problem with Martin's story. It's a lie. How do we know? Well, we have obtained a copy of the paper trail Martin left behind. We bet Martin absolutely hates it when that happens.
Let's take a look.
We have obtained copies of three invoices from Mike Martin Electric, Inc., located at 101/2 Anna Street in Reading , Ohio. It is clearly spelled out that Mike Martin Electric, Inc. specializes in residential electric and general contracting.
They are invoice numbers 2008168, 2009101 and 2009115. The "bill to" is the Villa Hills Civic Club. It is The Martin Chronicles understanding that the Villa Hills Civic Club is not residential, but a commercial building. That opens up an entirely different set of legal issues regarding licensure.
These invoices would certainly lead a reasonable person to conclude that Martin is lying when he claims that he only sold electrical supplies to the Civic Club. How so? Invoice number 2008168 bills the Club $150 for 2.5 hours of labor at $60 per hour. Invoice number 2009101 bills $150 for labor but does not specify the amount of time worked. Invoice number 2009115 bills $330 for labor for 6 hours of work at $55 per hour.
So how is it again that Martin makes the case he is performing no unlicensed electrical work? Unless of course he fraudulently billed the Civic Club for services he did not provide.
Invoice number 2009115 really got our attention. The invoice lists charges for $300 in materials and, as previously written, $330 for labor. And yet the total balance due upon receipt is $660. The Martin Chronicles freely admits that no one on our staff received a Mathematics college degree. Hey, we're all journalists. But we still figured out that Martin overcharged the Civic Club by $30.
The Martin Chronicles has also obtained copies of several canceled checks paying Mike Martin Electric, Inc. for work performed at the Villa Hills Civic Club. Take a quick look at yesterday's post. Two people signed the Civic Club checks. You know one of the people who signed the checks, right? Yup, it was the historically paid $15 per hour temporary clerk who Martin claims took it upon herself to destroy City records in the middle of a serious lawsuit after both the City Attorney and Kentucky League of Cities issued strong advice to the contrary on January 5, 2012, Mary Hardman.
Just as interesting, the other signature on most of the checks belongs to the wife of the man who received the unbid contact for fire extinguishers for the City. Isn't this a twisted bag of snakes?
Any reasonable person would have to conclude that the mayor is sitting on a reeking pile of corrupt activity. It should scare the stuffing out of those same reasonable people when they read comments from otherwise intelligent people who lament that the majority on council never gave Martin "a chance". If the majority on council had simply turned a blind eye to Martin's abject lack of truth and integrity, just how much more corruption would there be?
The bilious blowhard County Boss Steve Arlinghaus can beat his chest about a "witch hunt". Janet Martin's sister can wear her "I'm here for the witch hunt" hat to meetings. Phil and Regina Harmon and others can continue to steal the polite "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" signs. The gaggle of pinheads with their heads buried in the sand can whine about the "bickering". Newspaper headline writers can incorrectly claim "infighting". Otherwise good-hearted folks can lament the need for peace. But Martin is the person solely responsible for this sordid mess. None of that poppycock really matters.
Look for things to really heat up at the upcoming council meeting this Wednesday night. The next step should be a removal hearing.
In Martin's mind, the truth is meaningless. His goal has always been to "make it through today" by telling any lie he has to. He will deal with tomorrow with a whole new set of lies when it gets here.
But when you have been foolishly entrusted to run a City government, and you are under investigation for all manner of serious misconduct-well, that strategy probably won't work. Why? Because people will ask follow-up questions. They will check and double-check your claims. Martin can no longer get by hoping that people will simply make the risky assumption that he is telling the truth.
The most recent example? Martin has been caught doing unlicensed electrical, plumbing and commercial work in Northern Kentucky. As other media outlets have also reported, contractors have gone to jail for that offense. Martin knows he is in trouble. So, he has started throwing (EXPLETIVE) against the wall again.
You see, Martin is claiming that he has performed no unlicensed work. Martin is claiming that all he has done is sell electrical supplies. Look out for the "Little Man From Norwood"! He's not gonna to take it! He's gonna get ya!
Uh, wait a minute. One problem with Martin's story. It's a lie. How do we know? Well, we have obtained a copy of the paper trail Martin left behind. We bet Martin absolutely hates it when that happens.
Let's take a look.
We have obtained copies of three invoices from Mike Martin Electric, Inc., located at 101/2 Anna Street in Reading , Ohio. It is clearly spelled out that Mike Martin Electric, Inc. specializes in residential electric and general contracting.
They are invoice numbers 2008168, 2009101 and 2009115. The "bill to" is the Villa Hills Civic Club. It is The Martin Chronicles understanding that the Villa Hills Civic Club is not residential, but a commercial building. That opens up an entirely different set of legal issues regarding licensure.
These invoices would certainly lead a reasonable person to conclude that Martin is lying when he claims that he only sold electrical supplies to the Civic Club. How so? Invoice number 2008168 bills the Club $150 for 2.5 hours of labor at $60 per hour. Invoice number 2009101 bills $150 for labor but does not specify the amount of time worked. Invoice number 2009115 bills $330 for labor for 6 hours of work at $55 per hour.
So how is it again that Martin makes the case he is performing no unlicensed electrical work? Unless of course he fraudulently billed the Civic Club for services he did not provide.
Invoice number 2009115 really got our attention. The invoice lists charges for $300 in materials and, as previously written, $330 for labor. And yet the total balance due upon receipt is $660. The Martin Chronicles freely admits that no one on our staff received a Mathematics college degree. Hey, we're all journalists. But we still figured out that Martin overcharged the Civic Club by $30.
The Martin Chronicles has also obtained copies of several canceled checks paying Mike Martin Electric, Inc. for work performed at the Villa Hills Civic Club. Take a quick look at yesterday's post. Two people signed the Civic Club checks. You know one of the people who signed the checks, right? Yup, it was the historically paid $15 per hour temporary clerk who Martin claims took it upon herself to destroy City records in the middle of a serious lawsuit after both the City Attorney and Kentucky League of Cities issued strong advice to the contrary on January 5, 2012, Mary Hardman.
Just as interesting, the other signature on most of the checks belongs to the wife of the man who received the unbid contact for fire extinguishers for the City. Isn't this a twisted bag of snakes?
Any reasonable person would have to conclude that the mayor is sitting on a reeking pile of corrupt activity. It should scare the stuffing out of those same reasonable people when they read comments from otherwise intelligent people who lament that the majority on council never gave Martin "a chance". If the majority on council had simply turned a blind eye to Martin's abject lack of truth and integrity, just how much more corruption would there be?
The bilious blowhard County Boss Steve Arlinghaus can beat his chest about a "witch hunt". Janet Martin's sister can wear her "I'm here for the witch hunt" hat to meetings. Phil and Regina Harmon and others can continue to steal the polite "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" signs. The gaggle of pinheads with their heads buried in the sand can whine about the "bickering". Newspaper headline writers can incorrectly claim "infighting". Otherwise good-hearted folks can lament the need for peace. But Martin is the person solely responsible for this sordid mess. None of that poppycock really matters.
Look for things to really heat up at the upcoming council meeting this Wednesday night. The next step should be a removal hearing.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Mary Hardman. Mary Hardman.
The Martin Chronicles is amazed at just how many ways Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin's Civic Club crony Mary Hardman is connected to the current Special Counsel investigation. To use an old expression, Martin and Hardman seem to be as thick as thieves.
Mary Hardman is starting to seem a whole lot like movie characters Forrest Gump and Zelig. And not just because she is dumber than a vacated bee hive and has the personality of a gas station bathroom doorknob. Why? Because it seems that she is always nearby when Martin is caught perpetrating yet another fraud.
It's the darndest thing. Mike Martin has done unlicensed electrical work for the Civic Club. One of the two signatures on the Civic Club check to Mike Martin Electric belongs to-yes, you guessed it-Mary Hardman! In fact, Mary did such a good job of paying Martin that she actually cut a Civic Club check to him for more than he earned. How about that?
So, Martin decided to hire a "temporary" clerk to supposedly help out during last year's property tax season. Guess who Martin hired and paid the highest hourly rate for a part timer in the history of Villa Hills? Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding! We have a winner! Yup, Martin hired the same Mary Hardman!
Martin was frequently questioned by council about why Mary Hardman was not bonded. Martin said he was advised (by some never-named "expert") she was not required to be bonded because she didn't "handle money". Except that she did handle money. Several residents told Special Counsel that Hardman took their property tax payments. These residents did not use fresh eggs, goat milk, aluminum cans or rare baseball cards as barter to settle their property taxes. They used money.
As has now become the stuff of City folk lore, Martin was caught improperly destroying City records on January 5, 2012. He falsified a document in a feeble attempt to cover his tracks the very next day. In an odd twist, it wasn't the official Custodian of City Records who signed the falsified document that purportedly listed all the records that were destroyed. Guess who signed it? Sure. That was easy! Why it was the same Mary Hardman!
Gee. We now hear that Martin is claiming he knew nothing about the document burn. Why, he was busy unclogging a toilet somewhere. It wasn't the official Custodian of Records either. She is too lazy to do anything. Ever.
So who was it that-with no guidance whatsoever-decided to burn several truckloads of documents (the documents Martin has told us never existed). Okay. Pull the lever. JOKER! JOKER! JOOO-KER!!! We have a WINNER! Isn't that amazing?!? The whole inferno was Mary Hardman's doing!
Does anyone else see a pattern developing here?
Mary Hardman is starting to seem a whole lot like movie characters Forrest Gump and Zelig. And not just because she is dumber than a vacated bee hive and has the personality of a gas station bathroom doorknob. Why? Because it seems that she is always nearby when Martin is caught perpetrating yet another fraud.
It's the darndest thing. Mike Martin has done unlicensed electrical work for the Civic Club. One of the two signatures on the Civic Club check to Mike Martin Electric belongs to-yes, you guessed it-Mary Hardman! In fact, Mary did such a good job of paying Martin that she actually cut a Civic Club check to him for more than he earned. How about that?
So, Martin decided to hire a "temporary" clerk to supposedly help out during last year's property tax season. Guess who Martin hired and paid the highest hourly rate for a part timer in the history of Villa Hills? Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding! We have a winner! Yup, Martin hired the same Mary Hardman!
Martin was frequently questioned by council about why Mary Hardman was not bonded. Martin said he was advised (by some never-named "expert") she was not required to be bonded because she didn't "handle money". Except that she did handle money. Several residents told Special Counsel that Hardman took their property tax payments. These residents did not use fresh eggs, goat milk, aluminum cans or rare baseball cards as barter to settle their property taxes. They used money.
As has now become the stuff of City folk lore, Martin was caught improperly destroying City records on January 5, 2012. He falsified a document in a feeble attempt to cover his tracks the very next day. In an odd twist, it wasn't the official Custodian of City Records who signed the falsified document that purportedly listed all the records that were destroyed. Guess who signed it? Sure. That was easy! Why it was the same Mary Hardman!
Gee. We now hear that Martin is claiming he knew nothing about the document burn. Why, he was busy unclogging a toilet somewhere. It wasn't the official Custodian of Records either. She is too lazy to do anything. Ever.
So who was it that-with no guidance whatsoever-decided to burn several truckloads of documents (the documents Martin has told us never existed). Okay. Pull the lever. JOKER! JOKER! JOOO-KER!!! We have a WINNER! Isn't that amazing?!? The whole inferno was Mary Hardman's doing!
Does anyone else see a pattern developing here?
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