The Martin Chronicles is working on a fast-developing, breaking story. As we previously reported, a number of residents are displaying signs that politely read, "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now". The last time we checked, the signs would be protected speech under the First Amendment to the US Constitution. Well, at least everywhere but perhaps in Villa Hills.
Earlier this evening, witnesses saw a Martin appointee to the City's Civil Service Board, Phil Harmon, and his wife pull one of the signs without permission or any legal authority to do so. They tossed the sign into their truck and exited the City on Western Reserve.
Sources confirm that the Villa Hills Police Department has been contacted about the incident. We will bring you more details as we receive them.
Monday, May 7, 2012
The Growing Buzz
The Martin Chronicles publisher and reporters are hearing the buzz in every public place. A rapidly growing majority of Villa Hills residents now understand that the embarrassing fiasco in their City government is far more than "infighting", "politics" or what remains the lamest of all explanations, "trying to undo the results of the last election".
Residents are disgusted with Councilman Jim Noll. Most people are shocked that he would go before the media to make ridiculous comments about the case without having read Special Counsel's lengthy report. Most also think it is a disgrace that it was obvious that his real motive was to campaign for State Senate. What a joke. A growing number understand that Noll couldn't care less about the City he took an oath to serve. Noll is amost always ill-prepared (re: the "witness" who gave bogus information on Noll's ridiculous time clock idea) and worse yet, doing a tremendous disservice to the City with his behavior.
The Martin Chronicles applauds Council members Bruns, Kilburn, Ringo, Pope (yes, we know we have been deservedly hard on him. He is generally slavishly devoted to Martin. But everything has its' limit. He is handling this very serious issue with the gravity it deserves) and Sogar for their restraint following Special Counsel's presentation. No self-serving comments. No rush to judgment.
People are also waking up to the fact that Mayor Mike Martin is far more than inept. As Special Counsel presented and the media reported, there are numerous examples of illegal activity and misconduct. More than enough evidence has been made public to move forward with a removal hearing in the near future. Furthemore, all the evidence of Martin's unlicensed electrical, plumbing and commercial work and his lies about the destruction of City records should be turned over to the proper authorities as soon as possible.
Residents are also shocked that Martin would say he hasn't made any mistakes. A budget disaster. A serious lawsuit. A recent lambasting by a judge for the destruction of City records. Martin is either totally disconnected from reality or he is admitting his guilt.
The whole issue of $47.50 per hour, crony-hire, no-errors & ommission insurance, uncontracted-contract clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber needs to be revisited as well. Schaber claims she didn't receive the interrogatories Special Counsel sent her. So what? Send them again. Have them hand delivered. The fact that she is being paid that amount of money for such abysmal performance is a disgrace, and bold-faced cronyism. There was an audible gasp from the crowd when people learned how much of their money Martin is wasting on her.
Yes, people are frustrated. They aren't sure what to do. Well, there are several things people can do. They can go to the council meetings. They can email and call the mayor and council members to express their views. They can email VillaHills50@gmail.com to order a "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" yard sign. These signs are popping up all over town. Our sources tell us that the group behind the sign effort have to order more.
The Martin Chronicles says here is what you shouldn't do. You shouldn't sit back and let others do the heavy lifting. Everyone who knows Villa Hills can do so much better needs to do their part. Now is not the time for hand-wringing and wishing everyone would just get along.
It's far too late for that.
Residents are disgusted with Councilman Jim Noll. Most people are shocked that he would go before the media to make ridiculous comments about the case without having read Special Counsel's lengthy report. Most also think it is a disgrace that it was obvious that his real motive was to campaign for State Senate. What a joke. A growing number understand that Noll couldn't care less about the City he took an oath to serve. Noll is amost always ill-prepared (re: the "witness" who gave bogus information on Noll's ridiculous time clock idea) and worse yet, doing a tremendous disservice to the City with his behavior.
The Martin Chronicles applauds Council members Bruns, Kilburn, Ringo, Pope (yes, we know we have been deservedly hard on him. He is generally slavishly devoted to Martin. But everything has its' limit. He is handling this very serious issue with the gravity it deserves) and Sogar for their restraint following Special Counsel's presentation. No self-serving comments. No rush to judgment.
People are also waking up to the fact that Mayor Mike Martin is far more than inept. As Special Counsel presented and the media reported, there are numerous examples of illegal activity and misconduct. More than enough evidence has been made public to move forward with a removal hearing in the near future. Furthemore, all the evidence of Martin's unlicensed electrical, plumbing and commercial work and his lies about the destruction of City records should be turned over to the proper authorities as soon as possible.
Residents are also shocked that Martin would say he hasn't made any mistakes. A budget disaster. A serious lawsuit. A recent lambasting by a judge for the destruction of City records. Martin is either totally disconnected from reality or he is admitting his guilt.
The whole issue of $47.50 per hour, crony-hire, no-errors & ommission insurance, uncontracted-contract clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber needs to be revisited as well. Schaber claims she didn't receive the interrogatories Special Counsel sent her. So what? Send them again. Have them hand delivered. The fact that she is being paid that amount of money for such abysmal performance is a disgrace, and bold-faced cronyism. There was an audible gasp from the crowd when people learned how much of their money Martin is wasting on her.
Yes, people are frustrated. They aren't sure what to do. Well, there are several things people can do. They can go to the council meetings. They can email and call the mayor and council members to express their views. They can email VillaHills50@gmail.com to order a "Mayor Martin Please Resign Now" yard sign. These signs are popping up all over town. Our sources tell us that the group behind the sign effort have to order more.
The Martin Chronicles says here is what you shouldn't do. You shouldn't sit back and let others do the heavy lifting. Everyone who knows Villa Hills can do so much better needs to do their part. Now is not the time for hand-wringing and wishing everyone would just get along.
It's far too late for that.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Sunday Commentary: One Week Later
The Martin Chronicles has been reading the other media reports since Monday's Special Counsel presentation. Just as the Martin Chronicles has been reporting since October 8, 20011, these media outlets also "get it". Yes, Special Counsel's presentation was meandering and too folksy. But there was so much meat on the bone that Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin's misbehavior could not be overlooked.
Let's look at a few of the issues raised:
This list does not include the cronyism. The retaliation against employees. The disregard for concerns expressed about sexual harassment. The destruction of City property. The Open Meetings violations. And all of the other problems that must see the light of day.
The Martin Chronicles doesn't care if County Boss Steve Arlinghaus describes what is going on as a "witch hunt". He wasted taxpayer money on granite counter tops and other over-the-top wasting of taxpayer dollars on renovations after all. That bilious blowhard has no room to talk. He needs to just shut the (EXPLETIVE) up. We don't care if Janet Martin's sister wore a "I'm here for the witch hunt" hat. We don't care if sainted hand-wringers miss the point by expressing concern that everyone just needs to get along. We don't care if Civic Club ne'er do wells are desperately trying to cover their own butts-and they (EXPLETIVE) well better be. Why? Because they are once again complicit. Martin did work at the Civic Club. Martin did work at the homes of many Civic Club gnomes. They all may have been pulled into this by Martin. Until a public airing of these misdeeds is held, none of that garbage matters.
All of the listed offenses and more are serious matters. They are not "petty". They deserve a public airing. Remember, it was Martin himself on Monday who told the media that he made no mistakes. A reasonable person must therefore conclude that he did all of these things consciously and with full knowledge of all of the relevant statutes. His old standby, "I didn't know then, but I know now" can't now work. No mistakes. It was all done on purpose.
It must all happen in the "light of day". Going in to executive session to discuss any of this is a disservice to the public, at best. No more Martin secrets. No more Martin evasions. No more martin double-talk. No more Martin lies.
Martin is the CEO. These were his decisions. We all need to get over it. We all need to move on.
There should be a removal hearing. Martin must face these issues. The residents of Villa Hills deserve an accounting for all of the misdeeds that have taken place since January 1, 2011.
Let's look at a few of the issues raised:
- The infamous January 5, 2012 document burn is very serious. It's not clear who Martin's patsies are or who is foolishly willing to "fall on their sword". It doesn't matter anyway. The evidence and testimony clearly indicates that Martin is responsible for what took place that day. Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 171.680 and 519.060 are the governing authorities for this matter. This behavior has the potential to lead to 1 to 5 years in prison and a fine of between $1,000 and $10,000. Martin lied when he was twice-asked at the January council meeting if the falsified document he produced included all of the documents that were destroyed. We now know the list was woefully incomplete. Furthermore, a judge presiding over a civil case in this manner said that this destruction of records does great harm to the taxpayers of Villa Hills.This is a matter that deserves a public hearing.
- Performing unlicensed electrical work. Again a serious matter. And despite what Special Counsel may have said, it is not at all clear that a case for misconduct or inability (another basis for removal from office) for a a mayor running a business performing illegal work cannot be made. How can someone who a slim majority of the voters elected in part to ensure that contractors obey State statutes and City ordinances enforce them when he is violating them himself? That is clearly an open question. The governing authorities are KRS 227A.060 and 339.230. This behavior has the potential to lead to 180 days in jail and a $5,000 fine for each occurrence. This is a matter that deserves a public hearing.
- The Open Records matter. The fact that the Martin administration was able to follow State statute on a few of the many Open Records requests that have been submitted would lead a reasonable person to conclude that they understand the law and certainly calls into question the many more times when the statute was violated. The governing authority is KRS 61.870 through KRS 61.884. Any violation of these State statutes can provide a clear example of misconduct and lead to removal from office. This is a matter that deserves a public hearing.
- The City Ethics Laws Violations. While Special Counsel was unclear, the Villa Hills Ethics Board did issue "confidential" reprimands to both Mayor Martin and Councilman Jim Noll. Why? Because both were found to have misused City personnel and resources. This is a matter that deserves a public hearing.
This list does not include the cronyism. The retaliation against employees. The disregard for concerns expressed about sexual harassment. The destruction of City property. The Open Meetings violations. And all of the other problems that must see the light of day.
The Martin Chronicles doesn't care if County Boss Steve Arlinghaus describes what is going on as a "witch hunt". He wasted taxpayer money on granite counter tops and other over-the-top wasting of taxpayer dollars on renovations after all. That bilious blowhard has no room to talk. He needs to just shut the (EXPLETIVE) up. We don't care if Janet Martin's sister wore a "I'm here for the witch hunt" hat. We don't care if sainted hand-wringers miss the point by expressing concern that everyone just needs to get along. We don't care if Civic Club ne'er do wells are desperately trying to cover their own butts-and they (EXPLETIVE) well better be. Why? Because they are once again complicit. Martin did work at the Civic Club. Martin did work at the homes of many Civic Club gnomes. They all may have been pulled into this by Martin. Until a public airing of these misdeeds is held, none of that garbage matters.
All of the listed offenses and more are serious matters. They are not "petty". They deserve a public airing. Remember, it was Martin himself on Monday who told the media that he made no mistakes. A reasonable person must therefore conclude that he did all of these things consciously and with full knowledge of all of the relevant statutes. His old standby, "I didn't know then, but I know now" can't now work. No mistakes. It was all done on purpose.
It must all happen in the "light of day". Going in to executive session to discuss any of this is a disservice to the public, at best. No more Martin secrets. No more Martin evasions. No more martin double-talk. No more Martin lies.
Martin is the CEO. These were his decisions. We all need to get over it. We all need to move on.
There should be a removal hearing. Martin must face these issues. The residents of Villa Hills deserve an accounting for all of the misdeeds that have taken place since January 1, 2011.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Here He Goes Again
The Martin Chronicles began to predict it months ago. We've watched it as it began to unfold. What is that? It's the way Villa Hills Mayor Mike Martin operates. It's The infamous "Martin way". Anyone who dares to challenge "the Little CEO" is going to be attacked. Not with the facts and the issues. They are attacked with a mud spray of baseless allegations, lies and all manner of retaliation.
Martin falsely accuses a police officer of committing perjury. Martin files a baseless complaint against the Voice of Villa Hills with the Better Business Bureau. Martin demands Councilman Tim Sogar's resignation because Sogar doesn't have an occupational license-that he doesn't need. Martin files false police reports against people on his paranoid enemies list. Martin goes door-to-door with his childish Unahandyman Manifesto, blaming everything that has gone wrong over the past sixteen-plus months of his dreadful administration on everyone else but himself.
Why does Martin do this? Mostly because it has worked. At least so far. Armpit-scratchers at the Civic Club have lapped it up. Tri-cornered hat wearing, government-hating fanatics hear it and begin to wave their "Don't Tread On Me" flags. The sanctimonious, holier-than-thou St. Joes' Heavy Drinking Men's Society members throw their stones at those who Martin identifies as "sinners". Granite counter-top head County Boss Steve Arlinghaus never misses an opportunity to describe a serious investigation as "a witch hunt".
Martin portrays himself as the perpetual victim. Martin wants others to see him as some good-government messiah sent down from Norwood to fight the Pharisees and Romans who persecute Martin for his belief in his twisted versions of "Truth and Integrity". People won't work with him and simply want to undo the results of the last election. He goes to Haiti to do charity work after all. Remember Martin's own words, "I don't believe I have made any mistakes".
The Martin Chronicles will be obtaining evidence of the most glaring example of the "Martin Way" to date sometime today. Martin's latest false attack is a result of Monday's devastating Special Counsel report that revealed all the misconduct of the last sixteen-plus months.
Stay tuned.
Martin falsely accuses a police officer of committing perjury. Martin files a baseless complaint against the Voice of Villa Hills with the Better Business Bureau. Martin demands Councilman Tim Sogar's resignation because Sogar doesn't have an occupational license-that he doesn't need. Martin files false police reports against people on his paranoid enemies list. Martin goes door-to-door with his childish Unahandyman Manifesto, blaming everything that has gone wrong over the past sixteen-plus months of his dreadful administration on everyone else but himself.
Why does Martin do this? Mostly because it has worked. At least so far. Armpit-scratchers at the Civic Club have lapped it up. Tri-cornered hat wearing, government-hating fanatics hear it and begin to wave their "Don't Tread On Me" flags. The sanctimonious, holier-than-thou St. Joes' Heavy Drinking Men's Society members throw their stones at those who Martin identifies as "sinners". Granite counter-top head County Boss Steve Arlinghaus never misses an opportunity to describe a serious investigation as "a witch hunt".
Martin portrays himself as the perpetual victim. Martin wants others to see him as some good-government messiah sent down from Norwood to fight the Pharisees and Romans who persecute Martin for his belief in his twisted versions of "Truth and Integrity". People won't work with him and simply want to undo the results of the last election. He goes to Haiti to do charity work after all. Remember Martin's own words, "I don't believe I have made any mistakes".
The Martin Chronicles will be obtaining evidence of the most glaring example of the "Martin Way" to date sometime today. Martin's latest false attack is a result of Monday's devastating Special Counsel report that revealed all the misconduct of the last sixteen-plus months.
Stay tuned.
Friday, May 4, 2012
So If They Aren't Mistakes . . .
The Martin Chronicles reporters are hearing from many, many Villa Hills residents who are floored by Martin's assertion to the media that he hasn't made any mistakes (as mayor). Several say that if he was willing to admit that he has indeed made mistakes it might be possible to cut him a little slack. Instead, residents interpret Martin's comments to be an admission of guilt.
Judging by the content (phrases like "moving the City forward" and lying about how much money the investigation has actually cost) of Martin's cheesy prepared statement Monday, we are convinced the "Little CEO" is receiving some supremely bad advice from a mean-spirited former councilwoman. This vindictive grimalkin's resume includes "advising" former Mayor Steve Clark right into a tree shredder. For that reason alone, we sincerely hope Martin continues to listen intently to her counsel.
People who want all of this to be swept under the rug and council to condone this conduct should grab for the smelling salts to clear their head. This is just starting to get interesting.
Judging by the content (phrases like "moving the City forward" and lying about how much money the investigation has actually cost) of Martin's cheesy prepared statement Monday, we are convinced the "Little CEO" is receiving some supremely bad advice from a mean-spirited former councilwoman. This vindictive grimalkin's resume includes "advising" former Mayor Steve Clark right into a tree shredder. For that reason alone, we sincerely hope Martin continues to listen intently to her counsel.
- As we wrote when we first heard the "no mistakes" pronouncement, everyone must therefore conclude that Martin is fully aware that he is committing serious violations of State statute when he performs unlicensed electrical, plumbing and commercial handyman work throughout Northern Kentucky. As media outlets are reporting, contractors land in jail for these kinds of offenses. What else can a reasonable person think?
- Everyone will also have to surmise that Martin was well aware that he was committing what could lead to Class D felony charges when he decided to destroy City records in the midst of a serious lawsuit on January 5. What else can a reasonable person think?
- We should all also believe that Martin is fully cognizant of his violations of the Kentucky Open Records laws. For starters, he did manage to do a few the legal way. So he must be aware of how to properly fill an Open Records request. Besides, he hasn't made any mistakes. What else can a reasonable person think?
- We guess Martin is admitting that he has created a hostile work environment and condones the harassment of employees. He has made no mistakes after all. What else can a reasonable person think?
- Evidently, Martin is fully clear on the fact that he violated the City's Ethics Ordinance when he improperly utilized City personnel and resources to produce the "Pro Road Tax" flyer last fall. The Ethics Board slapped him with a reprimand after all. What else can a reasonable person think?
- Apparently Martin made the conscious decision to do illegal serial contracts with a computer company to circumvent City purchasing requirements. Remember, no mistakes. What else can a reasonable person think?
- We now know that Martin is fully aware that he is violating the City's Civil Service ordinance by employing his crony-hire, $47.50 per hour, uncontracted-contract clerk/bookkeeper Cordelia Schaber. Not a mistake. Martin says he hasn't made any. What else can a reasonable person think?
- There are many, many other issues. We will write about them all in future posts. And now we know they were all intentional acts.
People who want all of this to be swept under the rug and council to condone this conduct should grab for the smelling salts to clear their head. This is just starting to get interesting.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
A Message From Our Publisher
The Martin Chronicles is not a commercial venture. We are free to pursue any story because we aren't beholden to the pressure applied from any advertiser. But we feel we need to remind our readers of a famous quote from the brilliant mind of Edmund Burke.
"All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing."
Don't be one of those good people who does nothing. If you have had enough of the illegal activity and incompetent mismanagment of the last sixteen-plus months, email villahills50@gmail.com to order a sign to voice your view that it is time for your once-proud City to press the "reset button".
One more relevant Burke quote. "Among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot long exist."
It is time for you to voice your opinion.
"All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing."
Don't be one of those good people who does nothing. If you have had enough of the illegal activity and incompetent mismanagment of the last sixteen-plus months, email villahills50@gmail.com to order a sign to voice your view that it is time for your once-proud City to press the "reset button".
One more relevant Burke quote. "Among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot long exist."
It is time for you to voice your opinion.
Bless The Beasts And The Clueless
The Martin Chronicles was fairly impressed with Wednesday's Kentucky Enquirer article "Villa Hills reacts to investigation of mayor". Cindy Schroeder did a solid job of laying out the very real issues facing one Mayor Mike Martin. We were not quite so impressed with a few of the "reactions".
First, County Boss Steve Arlinghaus. Old "Granite Counter-Top Head" is a ghastly joke. Never has one man offered so many opinions so totally devoid of fact. He should get back to the work of misusing County taxpayer money on some more unnecessary remodeling and just shut the (EXPLETIVE) up.
The comments by the sainted Villa Hills couple (whose names we will withhold) quoted by Schroeder are a different story. Those comments are both clueless, and worse yet, dangerous. How can anyone who looks at the facts say everyone just needs to gather around a bonfire, roast marshmallows and sing Kumbaya? C'mon, man! Instead of fretting about why everyone can't just get along, perhaps they may want to pay a little attention to what has been happening.
The couple quoted in Cindy Schroeder's article are the salt of the Earth. They are excellent people. But can they please explain why they believe council should simply ignore Martin's corruption, mismanagement and incompetence? Should they all just sit around the council table on the third Wednesday of every month singing We are the World?
How will that ultimately make their community better?
First, County Boss Steve Arlinghaus. Old "Granite Counter-Top Head" is a ghastly joke. Never has one man offered so many opinions so totally devoid of fact. He should get back to the work of misusing County taxpayer money on some more unnecessary remodeling and just shut the (EXPLETIVE) up.
The comments by the sainted Villa Hills couple (whose names we will withhold) quoted by Schroeder are a different story. Those comments are both clueless, and worse yet, dangerous. How can anyone who looks at the facts say everyone just needs to gather around a bonfire, roast marshmallows and sing Kumbaya? C'mon, man! Instead of fretting about why everyone can't just get along, perhaps they may want to pay a little attention to what has been happening.
- Did they miss the part of the presentation that plainly laid out that Martin has been involved in a wide range of illegal activity?
- Do they know that Martin began lying to council even before the January, 2011 meeting when he assured them that he had never done any unlicensed electrical work?
- Where were they when Martin brushed aside council's concerns about his 2011 budget proposal and decimation of the Villa Hills Police Department with his pompous, "I'm the CEO. It's my decision. We're moving on. Get over it."?
- Are they aware that Martin filed a retaliatory Better Business Bureau complaint against the Voice of Villa Hills?
- What do they think of Mike and Janet Martin both filing false police reports to cause problems for people on their paranoid "enemies list"?
- Why do they think council should simply roll over and pass a six-figure budget amendment months before it is necessary?
- Don't these two-and others who think like them-realize that Martin wasn't the only one who won an election. Ringo, Bruns, Kilburn, Sogar, Noll and Pope won their election as well. The voters gave them the right to stand up for what they believe in too. That is what they are doing.
The couple quoted in Cindy Schroeder's article are the salt of the Earth. They are excellent people. But can they please explain why they believe council should simply ignore Martin's corruption, mismanagement and incompetence? Should they all just sit around the council table on the third Wednesday of every month singing We are the World?
How will that ultimately make their community better?
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