So Tonight Were Gonna Party Like It's 1999

1999 was an extraordinary year for Massillon's Once & Future Mayor for Life, the Extraordinary One, Frank Cicchinelli.

1999 appeared to be the zenith of his extraordinary reign as Lord Sovereign of the City.

He did what he wanted.

And whatever he wanted, City Council approved.

Some would say they rubber stamped.

In 1999, Massillon got itself into the hotel business, and committed $2.7 million dollars to the Hampton Inn.

In 1999, Massillon bought the land for the ill-fated nine hole expansion of the Legends of Massillon Golf Course.

A decision that was so disastrous, even the man who doesn't admit making mistakes admitted this was a mistake;

"He said it was a mistake to build the additional nine holes urged by possibly overzealous golfers."
-Massillon Mayor Frank Cicchinelli discussing the debt at the Legends of Massillon Golf Course at a city council meeting, The Repository, 8/21/07.

Overzealous golfers.

And one would think the overzealous council members who approved this boondoggle were responsible as well.

And in 1999, Massillon spent money for a feasibility study for an event center, the 6,500 seat hockey arena that was never built.

While the Extraordinary One ran the table on his ambitious, ill-fated agenda, he did not do it alone.

Massillon City Council voted for all this stuff.

But, all those people must be gone by now.

Mustn't they?

Well, they are almost all gone.

With one exception.

Current Councilwoman Nancy Halter was on Massillon City Council in 1999.

She was there.

And voted for it.

All of it.

She voted for the Hampton Inn Hotel agreement.

And she voted to buy the land for the golf course expansion.

And she voted for The Arena study.

Her votes contributed mightily to the vat of red ink that is now drowning Massillon City government.

So, when the Extraordinary One returns and reclaims his rightful place as Caesar of the City, he and Nancy Halter can once more party like it's 1999.

Together.