The Martin Chronicles really tries to avoid the cheap shot. Yes, we can be a bit sarcastic. And we have no problem pointing out the misdeeds of (how might The Kentucky Enquirer headline writer put it?) "embattled" Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin. We also have no problem skewering bad actors like Councilmen Mike Pope and Jim Noll, $47.50 per hour uncontracted-contract clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber and the bilious, bloviating, taxpayer-dollar-squandering-on-granite-counter-tops-while-adding-an-UNFAIR-$35-per-car-STICKER-TAX County Boss Steve Arlinghaus. But we will always call 'em as we see and hear 'em.
One of our reporters was grabbing a quick dinner at a local chili parlor before getting back on the trail of yet another shocking story lead. What was overheard is worth reporting mostly because it is a sign of how bad things are going in war-torn Villa Hills at the moment.
Two women were discussing the shocking news reports of Martin's illegal activity at the next table. Their conversation went like this.
"Do you believe what a mess Martin has made in such a short time. Do you think he's a crook or just really stupid?"
"I think he's a whole lot of both."
"You know, if I have to hear about Martin's so-called charity trips to Haiti one more time I think I'm going to throw up."
"Yeah, what a phony do-gooder. To tell you the truth, I couldn't care less if he goes to Haiti. Everyone in the City would be a whole lot better off if he just went to HADES."
Both women got a great laugh at that. So did our reporter. But now he had better finish his cheese coneys and get back to work!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
See The Sign Post Up Ahead
Yes, The Martin Chronicles says, "see the sign post up ahead!" No, it doesn't say The Twilight Zone. Although Villa Hills has certainly seemed like Rod Serling territory since the beginning of 2011. And it has only gotten stranger by the day.
So what does the sign say? It says "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now". These polite but direct signs are popping up all over the City of Villa Hills. Why? Because Special Counsel's Monday presentation of the initial findings of their investigation of Mayor Mike Martin blew a gaping hole in the side of Martin's specious Unahandyman Manifesto's claim that people "are getting what they voted for".
If you are still trying to decide exactly what has been happening, remember Martin's now-famous pronouncement. "I am the CEO. It's My Decision. We're moving on. Get over it." It is now time for him to take full ownership for the disaster he has created.
By the way, our reporters have learned that you can get a yard sign to display by emailing villahills50@gmail.com.
So what does the sign say? It says "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now". These polite but direct signs are popping up all over the City of Villa Hills. Why? Because Special Counsel's Monday presentation of the initial findings of their investigation of Mayor Mike Martin blew a gaping hole in the side of Martin's specious Unahandyman Manifesto's claim that people "are getting what they voted for".
If you are still trying to decide exactly what has been happening, remember Martin's now-famous pronouncement. "I am the CEO. It's My Decision. We're moving on. Get over it." It is now time for him to take full ownership for the disaster he has created.
By the way, our reporters have learned that you can get a yard sign to display by emailing villahills50@gmail.com.
The High Road?
The Martin Chronicles must confess that we are amazed at how Martin can tell all manner of lies, large and small, and never seem fazed by it. It is almost as if he truly cannot distinguish between fact and fiction. Perhaps he shares Seinfeld's George Costanza's twisted view that "It's not a lie if you believe it."
One of the biggest lines of bull Martin has been running lately is that he has "taken the high road". Oh, really? You don't say? Is that a fact?
One of our reporters overheard someone derisively comment that, "Martin couldn't find the high road with a GPS!" Now, that is the truth.
Here is another truth. Martin has been caught red-handed lying about the documents he ordered destroyed on January 5. This presents a two-pronged problem for Martin. First, his actions constitute a CRIME. Second, he has HARMED every Villa Hills resident. How so? Every taxpayer is now on the financial hook for what Martin did. Thanks to Martin, they have all been laid bare in the very serious LIBEL, SLANDER and DEFAMATION lawsuit Martin's misconduct has triggered. Tampering with EVIDENCE will not sit well with any jury.
The "high road"? Sure.
One of the biggest lines of bull Martin has been running lately is that he has "taken the high road". Oh, really? You don't say? Is that a fact?
- Was Martin on the "high road" when he issued his thinly-veiled threat of gun violence towards a council member on the eve of the 2010 election?
- Was Martin on the "high road" when he refused to debate his mayoral opponent in 2010 because it wasn't in his "best interest" and instead ran a dirtbag, lie-filled campaign? The fact that his mud-slinging was successful may say even more about a slim majority of residents in Villa Hills.
- Was Martin on the "high road" when he and now-co-defendant Dale Schaber falsely accused a Villa Hills Police officer of committing perjury?
- Was Martin on the "high road" when he hurled profanities at the Police Chief's wife at a City function?
- Was Martin on the "high road" when he filed a $1.505 MILLION lawsuit against the residents of Villa Hills after beating his forgery rap?
- Was Martin on the "high road" when he screamed at a resident at the Villa Hills Civic Club, blaming his victim for being the cause of all of his problems?
- Was Martin on the "high road" when he lied about the documents he ordered burned on January 5?
- Was Martin on the "high road" when he demanded Councilman Tim Sogar resign because Sogar doesn't have an occupational license? Oh, that's right. Sogar DOESN'T NEED AN OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE.
- Is Martin on the "high road" when several sources report that both he and his wife Janet have been filing false police reports against people on their paranoid "enemies list"?
- Is Martin on the "high road" when he liesabout being on the "high road"?
One of our reporters overheard someone derisively comment that, "Martin couldn't find the high road with a GPS!" Now, that is the truth.
Here is another truth. Martin has been caught red-handed lying about the documents he ordered destroyed on January 5. This presents a two-pronged problem for Martin. First, his actions constitute a CRIME. Second, he has HARMED every Villa Hills resident. How so? Every taxpayer is now on the financial hook for what Martin did. Thanks to Martin, they have all been laid bare in the very serious LIBEL, SLANDER and DEFAMATION lawsuit Martin's misconduct has triggered. Tampering with EVIDENCE will not sit well with any jury.
The "high road"? Sure.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
More About Monday's Presentation
The Martin Chronicles is convinced that, despite every media outlet reporting that Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin has indeed engaged in all manner of official misconduct, Martin is happy. Why? Because he has survived for a little while longer. That does not bode well for the war-torn City.
Yes, Special Counsel's presentation was disjointed. It lacked the necessary focus to make it crystal clear to everyone-especially the log-thumping vine-swingers who were there from the Civic Club- to fully understand what Martin has done.
Here are the FACTS. 9 of the 11 areas examined clearly revealed Martin's misconduct. Despite his cloying protestations to the contrary, Martin has been caught red-handed. Moving the City forward? Not hardly.
This isn't about over-turning the outcome of any election. 2010, 2000, 1996, 1972, 1824, any election. This is about Martin. His misconduct. His mismanagement. His over-spending. His retaliatory decimation of the police department. His crony-hires. His wanton destruction of documents. His Open Records violations. His Ethics violations. His lies. And much more. He has over-turned the City that was voted the Number One City in Northern Kentucky into the laughing stock of the region.
That has become undeniably clear. Serious people get it.
Yes, Special Counsel's presentation was disjointed. It lacked the necessary focus to make it crystal clear to everyone-especially the log-thumping vine-swingers who were there from the Civic Club- to fully understand what Martin has done.
Here are the FACTS. 9 of the 11 areas examined clearly revealed Martin's misconduct. Despite his cloying protestations to the contrary, Martin has been caught red-handed. Moving the City forward? Not hardly.
This isn't about over-turning the outcome of any election. 2010, 2000, 1996, 1972, 1824, any election. This is about Martin. His misconduct. His mismanagement. His over-spending. His retaliatory decimation of the police department. His crony-hires. His wanton destruction of documents. His Open Records violations. His Ethics violations. His lies. And much more. He has over-turned the City that was voted the Number One City in Northern Kentucky into the laughing stock of the region.
That has become undeniably clear. Serious people get it.
UPDATE: More Of Noll's Disgraceful Comments
The Martin Chronicles admittedly is not a fan of Villa Hills Councilman Jim Noll. Anyone who uses their five year-old daughter as a human shield to cover for their disgraceful behavior is not to be held in high regard.
In our last post, we reported Noll's ridiculous assertion that he hadn't seen anything new in Monday's Special Counsel presentation without even reading the forty-five page report. Even knowing that he was slapped with the same Ethics Board reprimand Mayor Martin was for misuse of City personnel and resources, that is pathetic. Read the forty-five page report before you shoot your mouth off Jimmy.
But it gets worse. Our reporters overheard Noll introduce himself to other members of the media as "Jim Noll, Villa Hills Councilman and candidate for State Senate". If their was any doubt about his true intentions and concerns, that self-serving declaration ended those doubts.
Villa Hills residents should be very concerned that the future of their City may be in the hands of someone who couldn't care less about their City. You should let Noll know that in no uncertain terms.
In our last post, we reported Noll's ridiculous assertion that he hadn't seen anything new in Monday's Special Counsel presentation without even reading the forty-five page report. Even knowing that he was slapped with the same Ethics Board reprimand Mayor Martin was for misuse of City personnel and resources, that is pathetic. Read the forty-five page report before you shoot your mouth off Jimmy.
But it gets worse. Our reporters overheard Noll introduce himself to other members of the media as "Jim Noll, Villa Hills Councilman and candidate for State Senate". If their was any doubt about his true intentions and concerns, that self-serving declaration ended those doubts.
Villa Hills residents should be very concerned that the future of their City may be in the hands of someone who couldn't care less about their City. You should let Noll know that in no uncertain terms.
A Tale Of Two Attorneys
The Martin Chronicles believes that for one veteran attorney, it wasn't quite the best of times. For a far less experienced attorney-who also happens to serve on Villa Hills City Council-it was the absolute worst of times.
We have the greatest respect for Villa Hills' Special Counsel Phil Taliaferro's long and successful body of work. His is a storied career of great achievement. While we think its fair to respectfully say that last night's Special Counsel presentation had stylistic problems, it laid out very substantial concerns about the conduct of Mayor Mike Martin. Special Counsel provided the six council members with a 45-page report to review. The report deserves a very thorough examination.
But then there is the other attorney. Namely, attorney, councilman and State Senate candidate Jim Noll. His post-presentation behavior was the worst of times. His comments were one of the reasons so many people have a strong dislike for lawyers.
Unlike the other council members who correctly stated that they now need to carefully review the intricacies of Special Counsel's report, Noll rushed to the cameras and microphones in full State Senate campaign mode. Trying to portray himself as a "voice of reason", Noll played along with Martin's dreadful spin that the investigation was about "trying to undo the last election". He knows that's tripe. Special Counsel focused solely on Martin's (mis)conduct since January 1, 2011. And it is plentiful and serious.
While we know Noll was simply playing the role of hack flak for Martin, even we were surprised by Noll's comment that he "heard nothing new" in Special Counsel's report. So are we to conclude that Noll was already aware of Martin's unlicensed electrical work? So Noll already knew that Martin lied about what documents were burned on January 5? Noll has no problem with criminal conduct? Isn't that something.
We can only surmise that Noll was making some craven, State-Senate-run vote equation with his pronouncement that he would not vote to remove Martin. Perhaps it would have made more sense to read the 45-page report before jumping to conclusions. Just a thought.
Despite Noll's premature exhonoration, the media seems to fully grasp the fact that there are real, serious problems in the Villa Hills Mayor's office. Council must decide what to do next. We hope the other five council members at least read the report first.
We have the greatest respect for Villa Hills' Special Counsel Phil Taliaferro's long and successful body of work. His is a storied career of great achievement. While we think its fair to respectfully say that last night's Special Counsel presentation had stylistic problems, it laid out very substantial concerns about the conduct of Mayor Mike Martin. Special Counsel provided the six council members with a 45-page report to review. The report deserves a very thorough examination.
But then there is the other attorney. Namely, attorney, councilman and State Senate candidate Jim Noll. His post-presentation behavior was the worst of times. His comments were one of the reasons so many people have a strong dislike for lawyers.
Unlike the other council members who correctly stated that they now need to carefully review the intricacies of Special Counsel's report, Noll rushed to the cameras and microphones in full State Senate campaign mode. Trying to portray himself as a "voice of reason", Noll played along with Martin's dreadful spin that the investigation was about "trying to undo the last election". He knows that's tripe. Special Counsel focused solely on Martin's (mis)conduct since January 1, 2011. And it is plentiful and serious.
While we know Noll was simply playing the role of hack flak for Martin, even we were surprised by Noll's comment that he "heard nothing new" in Special Counsel's report. So are we to conclude that Noll was already aware of Martin's unlicensed electrical work? So Noll already knew that Martin lied about what documents were burned on January 5? Noll has no problem with criminal conduct? Isn't that something.
We can only surmise that Noll was making some craven, State-Senate-run vote equation with his pronouncement that he would not vote to remove Martin. Perhaps it would have made more sense to read the 45-page report before jumping to conclusions. Just a thought.
Despite Noll's premature exhonoration, the media seems to fully grasp the fact that there are real, serious problems in the Villa Hills Mayor's office. Council must decide what to do next. We hope the other five council members at least read the report first.
Random Notes On Special Counsel's Presentation
The Martin Chronicles was pleased that so many Villa Hills' residents came to River Ridge Elementary last evening to hear the Special Counsel's report into their investigation of Mayor Mike Martin. As reported in other media outlets, the atmosphere was tense, but people certainly paid close attention. We are preparing follow-up reports that will be delivered soon.
We do take issue with the way one matter was presented. It was revealed-as we have reported for months-that Martin has been doing electrical contracting work in Kentucky without the proper licenses. While that is not "official" misconduct, it certainly puts Martin in the difficult spot of explaining how he can expect other contractors doing work in Villa Hills to follow the law when he clearly has not. Furthermore, this type of unlicensed work has landed some contractors in jail.
Martin made some unintentionally revealing comments that we believe go a long way towards explaining the mess he has created in Villa Hills. "I do believe I have and will continue to make the right decisions to move the City forward" Martin stated. Given the huge budget problems and the recent dressing-down in court for the destruction of City records-just to state two of many examples-there seems to be a bit of a disconnect here.
When WCPO asked if he had perhaps made mistakes, Martin replied, "I am not necessarily convinced I made mistakes. Could I have made different decisions? Possibly." One could ask, if the matters presented by Special Counsel were not "mistakes", did he do these things intentionally?
Given the current state of the Villa Hills City government, the divided community and the complex set of evidence revealed by Special Counsel last night, comments like that are strange indeed. As nky.com wrote, Special Counsel's report didn't vindicate or convict Martin.
That resolution is yet to come.
We do take issue with the way one matter was presented. It was revealed-as we have reported for months-that Martin has been doing electrical contracting work in Kentucky without the proper licenses. While that is not "official" misconduct, it certainly puts Martin in the difficult spot of explaining how he can expect other contractors doing work in Villa Hills to follow the law when he clearly has not. Furthermore, this type of unlicensed work has landed some contractors in jail.
Martin made some unintentionally revealing comments that we believe go a long way towards explaining the mess he has created in Villa Hills. "I do believe I have and will continue to make the right decisions to move the City forward" Martin stated. Given the huge budget problems and the recent dressing-down in court for the destruction of City records-just to state two of many examples-there seems to be a bit of a disconnect here.
When WCPO asked if he had perhaps made mistakes, Martin replied, "I am not necessarily convinced I made mistakes. Could I have made different decisions? Possibly." One could ask, if the matters presented by Special Counsel were not "mistakes", did he do these things intentionally?
Given the current state of the Villa Hills City government, the divided community and the complex set of evidence revealed by Special Counsel last night, comments like that are strange indeed. As nky.com wrote, Special Counsel's report didn't vindicate or convict Martin.
That resolution is yet to come.
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