Washington High School Athletic Director Tim Ridgley's contract will expire at the end of June.
The Massillon Board of Education took no action to renew, or not renew the contract.
Ridgley's contract is being allowed to expire without action because it was clear to everyone that the Board of Education would not renew it.
A majority of the school board has other plans for the athletic director's position;
"Look, everybody likes to label people," (Board President) Weinberg said, "but there is a whole lot more to Jason Hall than just his ability to coach a football team. If we have looked at him in the past - and we may look at him again in the future - it has less to do with pure football than his ability to recognize, motivate, initiate and drive success athletically and academically" (The Independent, May 27, 2011).
It has everything to do with "pure football" and has absolutely nothing to do with driving success "athletically and academically."
This is all about completing the DREAM project, and by DREAM we mean putting football back at the top of the Massillon school district hierarchy "athletically and academically."
Soon to be former Superintendent Lisa Carmichael's problems began when she wouldn't support the plan to "reorganize" the Washington High School Athletic Department.
The Superintendent is gone.
The High School Principal is gone.
The Athletic Director is gone.
The Boys Basketball coach is gone.
The inmates are running the asylum, and the administration of our school system is being vetted through the 'friends of the program' football boosters.
If anyone is thinking about applying for the Washington High School Athletic Director's job, don't.
The decision has been made.
It was made over a year ago.
Head Football Coach Jason Hall will be the athletic director.
The end.
"It's (the athletic director's position) the lynch pin in the entire DREAM project" (Marshall Weinberg, The Independent, March 30, 2010).
There will be one or more assistant athletic directors.
They will be football guys.
All of this... ALL OF THIS has to do with "pure football."
We pointed this out over a year ago.
And the cards are falling into place.
Our school system is nothing more than a toy that the 'friends of the program' football boosters tinker with in order to perpetuate their one and only concern.
And that concern is not the education of our children.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day
And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier's tomb, and beauty weeps the brave. - Joseph Drake
Thursday, May 26, 2011
A Decision Made Out of Strength
In 2010, the Massillon School Board made newly elected school board member Tom Seesan the Board's president.
This did not sit well with board member Marshall Weinberg.
He had a better candidate in mind for the presidency.
Himself.
"Weinberg, when asked if he'd considered serving as board president, said he had. In fact, he had hoped to be president this year (2010), being the only veteran board member who hadn't yet held the title. The board opted instead to appoint Seesan."
"It is one of the issues that is tearing at the board," Weinberg said. "Unfortunately, because of the issues of legality, I can't discuss it in specifics, but it was not a decision made out of strength. Now, we are all seeing the ramifications" (The Independent, August 12, 2010).
In 2011, The Massillon Board of Education corrected this injustice, and made a decision out of strength.
They appointed Marshall Weinberg school board president.
And in the words of Marshall Weinberg, "we are all seeing the ramifications."
Superintendent Lisa Carmichael fled town for another job. Her disdain for Weinberg being a well known contributory factor to her departure.
Washington High School Principal Mike Babics jumped ship for another job.
The Athletic Director was terminated.
The Boys Basketball Coach was terminated.
No Superintendent.
No Principal.
No Athletic Director.
No Basketball Coach.
Marshall Weinberg's leadership was on display at last night's school board meeting.
Massillon Cable Channel 11 broadcast the replay tonight.
The Massillon Review Staff got together at the Massillon Review corporate headquarters to watch.
And were treated to the most painful two and one half hours of television in recorded history.
Firstly, We Surrender.
We will no longer question Marshall's honorable intentions in conducting a rogue search for superintendent.
"At the end of the day" you were correct ethically, legally, and morally.
PLEASE JUST STOP TALKING ABOUT IT, because "at the end of the day," we can't take any more of your non-stop, never ending, full throated, interminable defense of your actions.
You were right. Just stop talking!
Please.
Secondly, everyone, and we mean everyone, got to have their say at the meeting during public speaks.
Except local parliamentary expert Scott Graber.
The Board meeting included Smith Elementary school 2nd graders singing, Marshall and fellow board member Gary Miller on their soap boxes, and questions from everybody in the audience, except Graber.
And why didn't President Weinberg allow Graber to ask a question?
According to Weinberg it's because, "I get to be president."
Yes, you do.
Which was clearly "a decision made out of strength."
This did not sit well with board member Marshall Weinberg.
He had a better candidate in mind for the presidency.
Himself.
"Weinberg, when asked if he'd considered serving as board president, said he had. In fact, he had hoped to be president this year (2010), being the only veteran board member who hadn't yet held the title. The board opted instead to appoint Seesan."
"It is one of the issues that is tearing at the board," Weinberg said. "Unfortunately, because of the issues of legality, I can't discuss it in specifics, but it was not a decision made out of strength. Now, we are all seeing the ramifications" (The Independent, August 12, 2010).
In 2011, The Massillon Board of Education corrected this injustice, and made a decision out of strength.
They appointed Marshall Weinberg school board president.
And in the words of Marshall Weinberg, "we are all seeing the ramifications."
Superintendent Lisa Carmichael fled town for another job. Her disdain for Weinberg being a well known contributory factor to her departure.
Washington High School Principal Mike Babics jumped ship for another job.
The Athletic Director was terminated.
The Boys Basketball Coach was terminated.
No Superintendent.
No Principal.
No Athletic Director.
No Basketball Coach.
Marshall Weinberg's leadership was on display at last night's school board meeting.
Massillon Cable Channel 11 broadcast the replay tonight.
The Massillon Review Staff got together at the Massillon Review corporate headquarters to watch.
And were treated to the most painful two and one half hours of television in recorded history.
Firstly, We Surrender.
We will no longer question Marshall's honorable intentions in conducting a rogue search for superintendent.
"At the end of the day" you were correct ethically, legally, and morally.
PLEASE JUST STOP TALKING ABOUT IT, because "at the end of the day," we can't take any more of your non-stop, never ending, full throated, interminable defense of your actions.
You were right. Just stop talking!
Please.
Secondly, everyone, and we mean everyone, got to have their say at the meeting during public speaks.
Except local parliamentary expert Scott Graber.
The Board meeting included Smith Elementary school 2nd graders singing, Marshall and fellow board member Gary Miller on their soap boxes, and questions from everybody in the audience, except Graber.
And why didn't President Weinberg allow Graber to ask a question?
According to Weinberg it's because, "I get to be president."
Yes, you do.
Which was clearly "a decision made out of strength."
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Creamer Sacked
To the surprise of, well, to the surprise of absolutely no one, Massillon's Head Basketball Coach, Matt Creamer, was given the sack tonight.
School Board members Weinberg, Elum, and Miller voted against renewing Creamer's contract.
http://www.indeonline.com/newsnow/x2085342658/Creamer-non-renewed-as-Massillon-hoops-coach
Let's see. In Marshall Weinberg's nearly five month reign of terror as School Board President, the Superintendent and High School Principal have jumped ship.
The Athletic Director and Boys Basketball Coach have been sacked.
What can he possibly do for an encore?
Who's next? Choir Director? French Club Advisor?
You can watch this episode of Marhsall Weinberg & Friends, also known as the televised school board meeting, tomorrow (Thursday) at 8PM on Massillon Cable Channel 11.
We are supremely confident that his majesty the President will refer to the Creamer termination as a "business decision," which is Weinberg's cover for any controversial vote he makes.
School Board members Weinberg, Elum, and Miller voted against renewing Creamer's contract.
http://www.indeonline.com/newsnow/x2085342658/Creamer-non-renewed-as-Massillon-hoops-coach
Let's see. In Marshall Weinberg's nearly five month reign of terror as School Board President, the Superintendent and High School Principal have jumped ship.
The Athletic Director and Boys Basketball Coach have been sacked.
What can he possibly do for an encore?
Who's next? Choir Director? French Club Advisor?
You can watch this episode of Marhsall Weinberg & Friends, also known as the televised school board meeting, tomorrow (Thursday) at 8PM on Massillon Cable Channel 11.
We are supremely confident that his majesty the President will refer to the Creamer termination as a "business decision," which is Weinberg's cover for any controversial vote he makes.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
This Is How We Do It
School Board President Marshall "It's about the children" Weinberg finally provided a plausible explanation to his rogue search for a new school board superintendent.
He has finally offered an explanation to his behind closed doors approach to finding someone who we believe will put football before academics.
His quest is to find a superintendent who will "complete the DREAM," the DREAM being making the head football coach the athletic director, making the assistant athletic directors (plural) football coaches, and officially putting football at the top of the food chain, not just in athletics, but academics as well.
A superintendent who will be acceptable to the 'friends of the program' football boosters.
A superintendent who will know his role, and defer to the "experts" as it relates to "their" team.
And what was Weinberg's excuse for perverting the selection process into a quest to find a superintendent who will "play ball" with the football boosters?
This is how we do it in Massillon.
"This is how we do it in Massillon," Weinberg said. "This is how it's done. This is how we go out and find football coaches. The best (applicants) do not just apply - we have to go out and find them" (The Independent, May 24, 2011).
Illuminating.
Sad, but illuminating.
This is how we do it in Massillon.
This is how we go out and find football coaches.
Uh, Marshall.
You are not hiring a football coach.
You certainly don't realize this, but a school superintendent is infinitely more important to the success of our children's education than who coaches ten football games a year.
This is the problem.
The "this is how we do it in Massillon" mentality.
Your priorities are screwed up beyond any rational explanation.
You have run off multiple superintendents.
You have run off a principal.
You have, for all purposes, sacked the athletic director so that the head football coach can have more control.
And word on the street is that you are about to sack the basketball coach.
But, we should all be relieved at your insanity manifesting itself into the governance of our schools because...
This is how we do it in Massillon.
This is the problem.
No school administrator in their right mind would come here and work for you as superintendent.
But you don't care.
As long as the football team is run according to the whims of the friends of the program football boosters.
Because this is how we do it in Massillon.
He has finally offered an explanation to his behind closed doors approach to finding someone who we believe will put football before academics.
His quest is to find a superintendent who will "complete the DREAM," the DREAM being making the head football coach the athletic director, making the assistant athletic directors (plural) football coaches, and officially putting football at the top of the food chain, not just in athletics, but academics as well.
A superintendent who will be acceptable to the 'friends of the program' football boosters.
A superintendent who will know his role, and defer to the "experts" as it relates to "their" team.
And what was Weinberg's excuse for perverting the selection process into a quest to find a superintendent who will "play ball" with the football boosters?
This is how we do it in Massillon.
"This is how we do it in Massillon," Weinberg said. "This is how it's done. This is how we go out and find football coaches. The best (applicants) do not just apply - we have to go out and find them" (The Independent, May 24, 2011).
Illuminating.
Sad, but illuminating.
This is how we do it in Massillon.
This is how we go out and find football coaches.
Uh, Marshall.
You are not hiring a football coach.
You certainly don't realize this, but a school superintendent is infinitely more important to the success of our children's education than who coaches ten football games a year.
This is the problem.
The "this is how we do it in Massillon" mentality.
Your priorities are screwed up beyond any rational explanation.
You have run off multiple superintendents.
You have run off a principal.
You have, for all purposes, sacked the athletic director so that the head football coach can have more control.
And word on the street is that you are about to sack the basketball coach.
But, we should all be relieved at your insanity manifesting itself into the governance of our schools because...
This is how we do it in Massillon.
This is the problem.
No school administrator in their right mind would come here and work for you as superintendent.
But you don't care.
As long as the football team is run according to the whims of the friends of the program football boosters.
Because this is how we do it in Massillon.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Stupid Is as Stupid Does
SECRET -
Adjective: Not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others: "a secret plan."
Noun: Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
Massillon School Board President Forrest Weinberg didn't think he was having a secret meeting.
"The discussion with potential superintendent candidates was canceled, Weinberg said, because it was misrepresented as "secretive," and that caused the two potential candidates to back out" (The Independent, May 19, 2011).
Misrepresented as "secretive."
Misrepresented.
"Weinberg admits the meeting was supposed to be a private conversation... The community and the media were not supposed to be made aware of the meeting and Weinberg said he did not directly contact all board members to inform them" (The Independent, May 19, 2011).
"Only two board members - Weinberg and Elum - were to attend because if more than two members attended, they would be required by law to post a public meeting notice" (The Independent, May 19, 2011).
"The meeting could not be made public, Weinberg insists, because the identities of the potential candidates needed to be protected since they are both currently employed in successful school districts" (The Independent, May 19, 2011).
Nope.
Doesn't sound secretive to us.
We were mistaken.
"For some reason, everything we do ends up being amazingly controversial," Weinberg said (The Independent, May 19, 2011).
Hello. My name's Forrest. Forrest Gump. You want a chocolate?
Adjective: Not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others: "a secret plan."
Noun: Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
Massillon School Board President Forrest Weinberg didn't think he was having a secret meeting.
"The discussion with potential superintendent candidates was canceled, Weinberg said, because it was misrepresented as "secretive," and that caused the two potential candidates to back out" (The Independent, May 19, 2011).
Misrepresented as "secretive."
Misrepresented.
"Weinberg admits the meeting was supposed to be a private conversation... The community and the media were not supposed to be made aware of the meeting and Weinberg said he did not directly contact all board members to inform them" (The Independent, May 19, 2011).
"Only two board members - Weinberg and Elum - were to attend because if more than two members attended, they would be required by law to post a public meeting notice" (The Independent, May 19, 2011).
"The meeting could not be made public, Weinberg insists, because the identities of the potential candidates needed to be protected since they are both currently employed in successful school districts" (The Independent, May 19, 2011).
Nope.
Doesn't sound secretive to us.
We were mistaken.
"For some reason, everything we do ends up being amazingly controversial," Weinberg said (The Independent, May 19, 2011).
Hello. My name's Forrest. Forrest Gump. You want a chocolate?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Just Spit It Out
"Last year, Weinberg and Elum both raised concerns about "promises" made to head football coach Jason Hall during the interview process. They were "promises" the two contended, that weren't in his contract, but were made in good faith" (The Independent, May 19, 2011).
We wish the Independent would just spit it out and not resort to all this cloak and dagger verbiage about "promises."
We all know what the "promise" is.
The "promise" to Jason Hall was to make him the athletic director as well as the head football coach.
Marhsall Weinberg turned on soon to be former Superintendent Carmichael when she wouldn't agree to "reorganize" the athletic department, make the head football coach the athletic director, make the assistant athletic director former offensive coordinator Alex Wood, and "complete the DREAM," making football the total focus of Washington High School sports.
That was the "promise."
Just spit it out.
"Weinberg dismissed the idea that any "promises," either intentional or not, could be made to a potential superintendent candidate in face-to-face meetings or telephone conversations" (The Independent, May 19, 2011).
Then why all the secrecy, Marshall?
We wish the Independent would just spit it out and not resort to all this cloak and dagger verbiage about "promises."
We all know what the "promise" is.
The "promise" to Jason Hall was to make him the athletic director as well as the head football coach.
Marhsall Weinberg turned on soon to be former Superintendent Carmichael when she wouldn't agree to "reorganize" the athletic department, make the head football coach the athletic director, make the assistant athletic director former offensive coordinator Alex Wood, and "complete the DREAM," making football the total focus of Washington High School sports.
That was the "promise."
Just spit it out.
"Weinberg dismissed the idea that any "promises," either intentional or not, could be made to a potential superintendent candidate in face-to-face meetings or telephone conversations" (The Independent, May 19, 2011).
Then why all the secrecy, Marshall?
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Football
When Marshall Weinberg campaigned for the Massillon Board of Education four years ago, he claimed he would bring his business expertise to our schools. He would run our school system like a business. It would be academics first, because it was all about the kids.
Well, at least it was all about the kids who play football...
It was a smokescreen. Weinberg's campaign was a smokescreen to cover the fact that he was going to lead the football boosters and assorted self proclaimed 'friends of the program,' back to their role as the prominent and dominant faction in the governance of our schools.
He then set about to run Superintendent Lisa Carmichael out of town, because she wouldn't "get with the program," the football program, that is.
She wouldn't "complete the DREAM," the DREAM being a plan to make the head football the athletic director, and the assistant athletic director the offensive coordinator.
She had to go.
Because it's "all about the kids."
At least the kids who play football.
So then the quest for a new superintendent began.
The Ohio School Boards Association was brought in to make the search for a new superintendent a clean, fair, and transparent process.
It was, of course, a smokescreen.
Who was to be tricked?
Us.
The taxpaying public.
The real search was going on behind the scenes, behind closed doors, in secret, so we could recruit a superintendent who would "get with the program."
The football program that is.
Someone who would bow to the wishes of the 'friends of the program,' and those people who believe they own our high school football team.
Someone who has been properly vetted and is acceptable to the football boosters.
Someone who would agree to the 'reorganization' of the athletic department, who would make the head football coach the athletic director, who would employ one, possibly two assistant athletic directors, who would be football coaches, who would complete the "DREAM."
The DREAM being a plan to put football once again at the top of the athletic department, and actually at the top of the school system.
But they got caught.
http://www.indeonline.com/topstories/x1357377142/2-BOE-members-plan-secret-super-meeting-Thursday
And why were they doing this?
One word.
Football.
The rest is just a smokescreen.
Well, at least it was all about the kids who play football...
It was a smokescreen. Weinberg's campaign was a smokescreen to cover the fact that he was going to lead the football boosters and assorted self proclaimed 'friends of the program,' back to their role as the prominent and dominant faction in the governance of our schools.
He then set about to run Superintendent Lisa Carmichael out of town, because she wouldn't "get with the program," the football program, that is.
She wouldn't "complete the DREAM," the DREAM being a plan to make the head football the athletic director, and the assistant athletic director the offensive coordinator.
She had to go.
Because it's "all about the kids."
At least the kids who play football.
So then the quest for a new superintendent began.
The Ohio School Boards Association was brought in to make the search for a new superintendent a clean, fair, and transparent process.
It was, of course, a smokescreen.
Who was to be tricked?
Us.
The taxpaying public.
The real search was going on behind the scenes, behind closed doors, in secret, so we could recruit a superintendent who would "get with the program."
The football program that is.
Someone who would bow to the wishes of the 'friends of the program,' and those people who believe they own our high school football team.
Someone who has been properly vetted and is acceptable to the football boosters.
Someone who would agree to the 'reorganization' of the athletic department, who would make the head football coach the athletic director, who would employ one, possibly two assistant athletic directors, who would be football coaches, who would complete the "DREAM."
The DREAM being a plan to put football once again at the top of the athletic department, and actually at the top of the school system.
But they got caught.
http://www.indeonline.com/topstories/x1357377142/2-BOE-members-plan-secret-super-meeting-Thursday
And why were they doing this?
One word.
Football.
The rest is just a smokescreen.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Better Than Diamond Rings
"According to Massillon Board President Marshall Weinberg, each of the board members is actively involved in ensuring the best possible candidates are in the application pool...
"The best people for the job are not always the people who apply on their own," Weinberg said. "Sometimes, the best people are the ones you have to go out and get." (The Independent, May 10, 2011).
You know, "go out and get."
We also call this recruiting.
And Marshall has been out recruiting!
Today is the last day potential candidates can apply for the Massillon Superintendent's job.
And without a single (official) interview conducted by the school board, the Massillon Review is preparing to release the names of the finalists for the job.
How can we possibly know who the finalists are, after all today is just the application deadline and no (official) interviews have occurred.
No "official" interviews.
Maybe we had help.
"The best people for the job are not always the people who apply on their own," Weinberg said. "Sometimes, the best people are the ones you have to go out and get." (The Independent, May 10, 2011).
You know, "go out and get."
We also call this recruiting.
And Marshall has been out recruiting!
Today is the last day potential candidates can apply for the Massillon Superintendent's job.
And without a single (official) interview conducted by the school board, the Massillon Review is preparing to release the names of the finalists for the job.
How can we possibly know who the finalists are, after all today is just the application deadline and no (official) interviews have occurred.
No "official" interviews.
Maybe we had help.
Monday, May 16, 2011
It's the Sport of Kings
The search continues for the new Massillon Schools Superintendent.
Last week, the Independent very prudently weighed in;
"We remain hopeful that the Board of Education is not trying to placate anyone or atone for past misjudgments in implementing the focus group initiative. Here's hoping they regroup, put aside their own agendas and those of special interest groups in town, consider Ms. Lasota's (Ohio School Boards Association representative) recommendations and take another stab at getting this important decision right" (Editorial from the Independent, Wednesday, May 11, 2011).
"placate anyone" and "special interest groups in town"
Who, oh who could they be referring to that needs placated?
Special interest groups?
Hmmm...
We shouldn't worry about these things.
We are confident the selection process is in good hands.
"According to Massillon Board President Marshall Weinberg, each of the board members is actively involved in ensuring the best possible candidates are in the application pool" (The Independent, May 10, 2011).
"ensuring the best possible candidates are in the application pool"
And we assume properly vetted and approved.
By those who may need "placated," and by the "special interest groups," whoever they may be.
Last week, the Independent very prudently weighed in;
"We remain hopeful that the Board of Education is not trying to placate anyone or atone for past misjudgments in implementing the focus group initiative. Here's hoping they regroup, put aside their own agendas and those of special interest groups in town, consider Ms. Lasota's (Ohio School Boards Association representative) recommendations and take another stab at getting this important decision right" (Editorial from the Independent, Wednesday, May 11, 2011).
"placate anyone" and "special interest groups in town"
Who, oh who could they be referring to that needs placated?
Special interest groups?
Hmmm...
We shouldn't worry about these things.
We are confident the selection process is in good hands.
"According to Massillon Board President Marshall Weinberg, each of the board members is actively involved in ensuring the best possible candidates are in the application pool" (The Independent, May 10, 2011).
"ensuring the best possible candidates are in the application pool"
And we assume properly vetted and approved.
By those who may need "placated," and by the "special interest groups," whoever they may be.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Marshall Wants You!
Thursday night, LaSota conducted a focus group at Washington High School to see what community members had to say about what kind of superintendent we the citizens believe should run our schools.
According to Board President Marshall Weinberg, this is a good thing;
"Everyone, Weinberg said, should be having conversations with and encouraging highly qualified candidates to apply" (The Independent, May 10, 2011).
"The best people for the job are not always people who apply on their own," Weinberg said. "Sometimes, the best people are the ones you have to go out and get" (The Independent, May 10, 2011).
"We have five people who have been elected to the school board," Weinberg said. "But just because we were elected to the board does not mean we are the smartest people on the planet..." (The Independent, May 10, 2011).
"does not mean we are the smartest people on the planet"
Truer words were never spoken.
"recent issues, including an assistant coach and booster club member growing and selling marijuana could have been avoided, Weinberg said, if the football coach could report directly to the superintendent" (The Independent, March 30, 2010).
Nope. Not the smartest people on the planet.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
A Full Slate
Nancy Halter, Republican candidate for Massillon's 2nd Council Ward seat will be hosting a campaign fundraiser on Saturday morning from 9 AM until 11 AM at the Massillon Knights of Columbus. It will be a breakfast buffet. Tickets are $20, and reservations may be made by calling 330-309-7542.
It's not often a Massillon resident can attend a Republican council candidate's fundraiser.
There haven't been many Republican council candidates recently.
Until this year.
The local GOP has put up a pretty full slate of candidates in an attempt to make Massillon politics less of an intra-squad scrimmage between Democrats, and more of a competitive two party town.
Massillon had a contested Republican primary for mayor for the first time in 20 years. Lee Brunckhart will be carrying the party's banner in November, and he won't be alone.
The Republicans are running Sarita Cunningham in Ward 1, Nancy Halter in Ward 2, Linette Hayden in Ward 3 , Incumbent Donnie Peters in Ward 5, and Ed Lewis in Ward 6.
They are also running Milan Chovan, Jr. for council at large.
Chovan, it would appear, stands an excellent chance of knocking out David Hersher for a council seat.
Voters deserve a choice.
Kudos to the Republican party for putting up a solid slate of candidates this year.
It's not often a Massillon resident can attend a Republican council candidate's fundraiser.
There haven't been many Republican council candidates recently.
Until this year.
The local GOP has put up a pretty full slate of candidates in an attempt to make Massillon politics less of an intra-squad scrimmage between Democrats, and more of a competitive two party town.
Massillon had a contested Republican primary for mayor for the first time in 20 years. Lee Brunckhart will be carrying the party's banner in November, and he won't be alone.
The Republicans are running Sarita Cunningham in Ward 1, Nancy Halter in Ward 2, Linette Hayden in Ward 3 , Incumbent Donnie Peters in Ward 5, and Ed Lewis in Ward 6.
They are also running Milan Chovan, Jr. for council at large.
Chovan, it would appear, stands an excellent chance of knocking out David Hersher for a council seat.
Voters deserve a choice.
Kudos to the Republican party for putting up a solid slate of candidates this year.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Do We Get a Vacation, Too?
Massillon Police Officer John Mitchell sent text messages and nude and sexually explicit photos of himself, including pictures of his own genitalia, to a woman he arrested for drunken driving.
According to a February 11th story in the Independent, Officer Mitchell was suspended for five days without pay for sending out 88 text messages and 15 pictures to the woman he stopped for DWI.
By the way, the lab tests proved the woman was never even drunk, and the charges were ultimately dropped.
Allegedly, Mitchell wasn't even suspended for the five days.
He was allowed to take five vacation days.
Send nude pictures of yourself to a woman you arrest and get a vacation.
We would like our faithful Massillon Review readers to let us know what would happen at their place of employment should they start "sexting" to a co-worker or customer.
Would you get a paid five day vacation, too?
Of course, this isn't the end of the story.
According to one of our faithful readers, the victim in this incident sued Officer Mitchell and the City of Massillon.
And won.
Mitchell has to pay her $7,000 dollars.
We the taxpayers of Massillon have to chip in for another $3,000 dollars.
A Massillon police officer "sexted" a woman he stopped for drunken driving.
She wasn't drunk.
He gets a five day vacation.
We owe $3,000 dollars.
Do we get a vacation, too?
According to a February 11th story in the Independent, Officer Mitchell was suspended for five days without pay for sending out 88 text messages and 15 pictures to the woman he stopped for DWI.
By the way, the lab tests proved the woman was never even drunk, and the charges were ultimately dropped.
Allegedly, Mitchell wasn't even suspended for the five days.
He was allowed to take five vacation days.
Send nude pictures of yourself to a woman you arrest and get a vacation.
We would like our faithful Massillon Review readers to let us know what would happen at their place of employment should they start "sexting" to a co-worker or customer.
Would you get a paid five day vacation, too?
Of course, this isn't the end of the story.
According to one of our faithful readers, the victim in this incident sued Officer Mitchell and the City of Massillon.
And won.
Mitchell has to pay her $7,000 dollars.
We the taxpayers of Massillon have to chip in for another $3,000 dollars.
A Massillon police officer "sexted" a woman he stopped for drunken driving.
She wasn't drunk.
He gets a five day vacation.
We owe $3,000 dollars.
Do we get a vacation, too?
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day
A man loves his sweatheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest - Irish Proverb
Friday, May 6, 2011
No Love for the Taxman
Once again, the voters of Massillon show no love for David 'Taxman' Hersher, member at large of Massillon City Council.
There were three candidates for three at large slots in Tuesday's Democratic Primary. Incumbent council members Paul Manson, Larry Slagle, and David Hersher were guaranteed the right to move on to the November election.
Three candidates, three seats, and voters got to vote for three people.
In theory, Manson, Slagle and Hersher should have received about the same number of votes.
In theory.
Manson and Slagle did. Hersher was well behind them.
Paul Manson 2,152 votes
Larry Slagle 2,130 votes
David Hersher 1,653 votes
499 votes behind Paul Manson
477 votes behind Larry Slagle
3,869 people cast a vote in the Democratic primary for mayor.
Only 43% of those people (1,653) cast a vote for David Hersher.
Who was running unopposed.
On the Republican side, Milan Chovan Jr. is also running for council at large.
Milan Chovan Jr. was also unopposed.
He received 1,097 Republican votes.
1,199 votes were cast in the Republican primary for mayor.
Chovan received over 91% of the votes cast by Republican voters in the mayor's race.
For Chovan to be elected in November, he has to knock off either Manson, Slagle or Hersher.
Hersher appears to be the obvious target for defeat.
If Taxman Hersher has any more proposals to raise taxes, he better do it quick.
It looks like the Taxman is about to be added to the endangered species list.
There were three candidates for three at large slots in Tuesday's Democratic Primary. Incumbent council members Paul Manson, Larry Slagle, and David Hersher were guaranteed the right to move on to the November election.
Three candidates, three seats, and voters got to vote for three people.
In theory, Manson, Slagle and Hersher should have received about the same number of votes.
In theory.
Manson and Slagle did. Hersher was well behind them.
Paul Manson 2,152 votes
Larry Slagle 2,130 votes
David Hersher 1,653 votes
499 votes behind Paul Manson
477 votes behind Larry Slagle
3,869 people cast a vote in the Democratic primary for mayor.
Only 43% of those people (1,653) cast a vote for David Hersher.
Who was running unopposed.
On the Republican side, Milan Chovan Jr. is also running for council at large.
Milan Chovan Jr. was also unopposed.
He received 1,097 Republican votes.
1,199 votes were cast in the Republican primary for mayor.
Chovan received over 91% of the votes cast by Republican voters in the mayor's race.
For Chovan to be elected in November, he has to knock off either Manson, Slagle or Hersher.
Hersher appears to be the obvious target for defeat.
If Taxman Hersher has any more proposals to raise taxes, he better do it quick.
It looks like the Taxman is about to be added to the endangered species list.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The King is Dead
Long Live the Queen.
Massillon's Mayor for Life has been reduced to Massillon's Mayor for Eight Months by a woman he has referred to as "sneaky," a "puppet," and "The Third Ward Diva."
Kathy Catazaro-Perry took almost 55% of the vote in knocking Frank Cicchinelli from his throne.
It looks like the registered nurse and daycare operator is the front runner to be Massillon's first ever woman mayor.
Mayor Cicchinelli has had an unprecedented run in Massillon politics. He was the dominant political force in Massillon for almost 40 years.
That run has come to an end.
Last night, Kathy Catazaro-Perry ended it.
Massillon's Mayor for Life has been reduced to Massillon's Mayor for Eight Months by a woman he has referred to as "sneaky," a "puppet," and "The Third Ward Diva."
Kathy Catazaro-Perry took almost 55% of the vote in knocking Frank Cicchinelli from his throne.
It looks like the registered nurse and daycare operator is the front runner to be Massillon's first ever woman mayor.
Mayor Cicchinelli has had an unprecedented run in Massillon politics. He was the dominant political force in Massillon for almost 40 years.
That run has come to an end.
Last night, Kathy Catazaro-Perry ended it.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Election Day in Massillon
Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.
- George Jean Nathan
Monday, May 2, 2011
Can You Pay the Mortgage Now?
Massillon is on the hook for the mortgage at the Hampton Inn. We the taxpayers pay the loan with our Community Development Block Grant dollars when the owners can't, which is pretty much every year.
But it isn't their fault.
Massillon has been the victim of the most nefarious carpetbagger of all.
Osama bin Laden.
Hampton Inn investor and loyal Cicchinelli campaign contributor John Helline explained the link between Al-Qaeda and his inability to pay his own mortgage.
"Helline said the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the economic downturn that followed have harmed the travel industry" (The Independent, April 20, 2011).
America's finest have brought justice to Osama bin Laden.
Our question for John Helline is simple.
Now that bin Laden is dead, will you pay your own mortgage so we don't have to?
But it isn't their fault.
Massillon has been the victim of the most nefarious carpetbagger of all.
Osama bin Laden.
Hampton Inn investor and loyal Cicchinelli campaign contributor John Helline explained the link between Al-Qaeda and his inability to pay his own mortgage.
"Helline said the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the economic downturn that followed have harmed the travel industry" (The Independent, April 20, 2011).
America's finest have brought justice to Osama bin Laden.
Our question for John Helline is simple.
Now that bin Laden is dead, will you pay your own mortgage so we don't have to?
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Mayor's Clean Hands
Our second guest column this weekend comes from 'UncleFred,' and is titled 'The Mayor's Clean Hands' -
The grievances filed against Judge Elum were generated by Mayor Frank Cicchinelli. When Elum tried to block Cicchinelli from selling Genshaft field, Cicchinelli took their feud to the next level. He started having his supporters file grievances against the judge. One was filed by Fred Stergios who is the uncle to (Massillon) Law Director Perry Stergios. The Stergios family are longtime loyal supporters of Mayor Cicchinelli. Fred Stergios' complaint was the most laughable. He complained that Judge Elum dropped the F-bomb. Fred Stergios swears like a sailor. The other grievance was filed by the mayor's police chief. Cicchinelli was behind both of these grievances. He has also approached others including another elected official to ask them to file grievances against Judge Elum as well. He never does the dirty work himself. Everyone knows it was Cicchinelli behind these complaints.
The grievances filed against Judge Elum were generated by Mayor Frank Cicchinelli. When Elum tried to block Cicchinelli from selling Genshaft field, Cicchinelli took their feud to the next level. He started having his supporters file grievances against the judge. One was filed by Fred Stergios who is the uncle to (Massillon) Law Director Perry Stergios. The Stergios family are longtime loyal supporters of Mayor Cicchinelli. Fred Stergios' complaint was the most laughable. He complained that Judge Elum dropped the F-bomb. Fred Stergios swears like a sailor. The other grievance was filed by the mayor's police chief. Cicchinelli was behind both of these grievances. He has also approached others including another elected official to ask them to file grievances against Judge Elum as well. He never does the dirty work himself. Everyone knows it was Cicchinelli behind these complaints.
And In This Corner
Massillon Republicans have a contested Republican primary for mayor for the first time since... for the first time since... Well, for the first time in a long, LONG time.
And this is a good thing.
The reason Massillon's Mayor for Life has run roughshod over city government for so long is that there has been absolutely no opposition from the Republican party. This is the first time a Republican has thrown their hat into the political ring to run for mayor in 12 years.
Republicans have one council member out of nine. Just one.
Eight Democrats. One Republican.
The mayor is a Democrat.
The auditor is a Democrat
The treasurer is a Democrat
The law director is a Democrat
As Dr. Phil would say, "How's that workin' out for ya'?"
Massillon Republicans must re-build their party.
They must make city politics more than an intra-mural scrimmage for the Democrats.
There are two Republican candidates for mayor.
Lee Brunckhart. A working class Republican who drives bus for SARTA. Has a good grasp of the issues. Cares about the community. Talks about jobs, renewable energy, and further expansion of the health care system.
Andrew Oser. Has a degree in Business Administration. Property manager. Also has a good grasp of the issues. Cares about the community. Talks about financial responsibility, dealing with the city's debt, and cutting costs.
Both candidates should play a role in the rebirth of the City's Republican Party.
We endorse both Lee Brunckhart and Andrew Oser in the Republican primary for mayor.
Republicans need to support the winner. Even if your candidate doesn't win on Tuesday, the Republican party needs to come together and be a viable alternative.
Otherwise you end up with the same person running the show for a quarter century.
And this is a good thing.
The reason Massillon's Mayor for Life has run roughshod over city government for so long is that there has been absolutely no opposition from the Republican party. This is the first time a Republican has thrown their hat into the political ring to run for mayor in 12 years.
Republicans have one council member out of nine. Just one.
Eight Democrats. One Republican.
The mayor is a Democrat.
The auditor is a Democrat
The treasurer is a Democrat
The law director is a Democrat
As Dr. Phil would say, "How's that workin' out for ya'?"
Massillon Republicans must re-build their party.
They must make city politics more than an intra-mural scrimmage for the Democrats.
There are two Republican candidates for mayor.
Lee Brunckhart. A working class Republican who drives bus for SARTA. Has a good grasp of the issues. Cares about the community. Talks about jobs, renewable energy, and further expansion of the health care system.
Andrew Oser. Has a degree in Business Administration. Property manager. Also has a good grasp of the issues. Cares about the community. Talks about financial responsibility, dealing with the city's debt, and cutting costs.
Both candidates should play a role in the rebirth of the City's Republican Party.
We endorse both Lee Brunckhart and Andrew Oser in the Republican primary for mayor.
Republicans need to support the winner. Even if your candidate doesn't win on Tuesday, the Republican party needs to come together and be a viable alternative.
Otherwise you end up with the same person running the show for a quarter century.
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