The Buck Does Not Stop With Gary Anderson

Massillon's Extraordinary Mayor for Life, King Francis the Eternal, Lord Sovereign of the City will be celebrating victory tomorrow night.

Massillon's hapless rubber stamps, better known as city council, will approve the mayor's unbalanced budget.

This very same budget was rejected three months ago, on a five to four vote.

The mayor never had any inclination to fix, adjust, or make honest his proposed city budget.

He did not discuss city finances at any great length.

He did not pour over the numbers looking for cuts.

He did not explore new revenue streams.

He did nothing.

His plan was to get a member of council to flip-flop.

To sell out their convictions.

We assumed it would be 5th Ward Councilman Donnie Peters, or At Large Councilman Larry Slagle, as they both have a history of following the mayor over a cliff.

It may yet bet one of them.

But the person who has publicly stated that they will flip-flop, and give the mayor his 5th vote, appears to be 2nd Ward Councilman Gary Anderson.

Anderson appears to be an easy mark for our Extraordinary Mayor and his minions.

Gary Anderson was already conned by Frank Cicchinelli to believe it was his job, as a part-time, rookie councilman to negotiate Massillon's higher water rates with Aqua Ohio.

Not the mayor, who has a large, full-time, professional staff.

And Anderson bought into this.

He wandered over to Aqua Ohio, sat down with their corporate management, and we assume lawyers, and represented us, the Massillon water customers, during negotiations.

Rumor on the street is that the Mayor's Loyal Enforcer, Glenn Gamber, has been working overtime to get Gary Anderson's vote for Cicchinelli's budget.

The mayor famously never does the dirty work himself.

We imagine Glenn Gamber telling Gary Anderson how the city will shut down if he doesn't vote for Frank's budget.

We can envision Gamber playing on Anderson's sense of duty and moral obligation.

Gary, it's not your fault.

Frank Cicchinelli submitted the budget.

Frank Cicchinelli refused to discuss it.

Frank Cicchinelli refused to cut it.

Frank Cicchinelli refused to find additional revenue streams.

If the city "shuts down," it will be Frank Cicchinelli's fault.

His plan all along was to con some one, by playing on their fears, or sense of duty.

He has successfully "turned the table," by making this your fault, not his fault.

"Gary, if you don't vote for Frank's budget, you will be responsible for shutting down city government."

They are lying to you.

It won't be your fault.

It will be Frank's fault.

They are making you believe it will be your fault.

The moment Cicchinelli took the "my way or the highway" approach to city budgeting, it became his fault.

Tell Glenn Gamber to stick it, and vote your conscience.

Contrary to popular belief, the buck should occasionally stop at the mayor's desk.