Cicchinelli for Cicchinelli

To the surprise of, well, to the surprise of absolutely nobody, Massillon's Once and Future Mayor for Life, The Extraordinary One, King Francis the Eternal, is once more running for mayor.

We are indeed stunned by this development.

Shocked.

Who could have ever guessed he would make a come back?

We did, way back on January 29, 2013.

Over two years ago.

Today, Frank Cicchinelli issued his Declaration of Independence, releasing himself from the shackles of the Democratic Party he served under during his brief 38 year reign as a Massillon elected official, the last 24 years as mayor.

While we are indeed confident that this was not a pure political decision fueled by his inability to defeat "That Woman," Mayor Kathy Catazaro-from-Perry straight up in the Democratic primary, but an assertion of his newly found Independent principles, principles discovered, no doubt, as a result of deep reflection and meditation during his 3 and a half years wandering in the political desert, or in his case, wandering around the Legends of Massillon golf course.

Yes, Massillon's Eternal Leader has seen the light, and realizes just how 'Independent' he is.

As Cicchinelli enjoys a golf course view from his house on the Legends of Massillon, we wanted to provide him with a brief update on golf course finances.

The debt on the golf course, the golf course he shackled Massillon's Parks and Recreation Department with, will be paid off shortly... in 2032. Only 17 more years.

Fortunately, there is but a small pittance left on the loan.

A mere 5 and a quarter million dollars.

A small price to pay.

Back when Cicchinelli merged the golf course with the Parks Department, some cynical anti-Cicchinelli types believed this was just a ruse to use money that should have been going to fix our parks to subsidize the massive golf course debt.

Of course though, our Extraordinary mayor quickly put those rumors to rest.

"The Mayor explained that the merging of these two areas will maximize resources of the current departments and provide an organizational structure which will promote efficient operations giving top notch service to the public. The Mayor believes this decision now, in the long term, will be beneficial to everyone, and he stated that they promised the citizens that the city would not subsidize this golf course" (Parks and Recreation Board minutes, November 14, 2002).

And if you can't trust a man who just declared his 'Independence,' who can you trust?

Today is Election Day in the City of Champions, and 'Democrat' J. David Ress is challenging the incumbent, Cicchinelli slayer Kathy Catazaro-from-Perry in the Democratic primary.

As Cicchinelli's wife, the carpetbagger from Altoona, and Cicchinelli Safety Service Director Mike Loudiana circulated Ress' petitions, with Frank Cicchinelli the first petition signer, coupled with the fact Ress isn't even a registered Democrat, we doubt Cicchinelli is holding his breath for a Ress win.

Ress was clearly a stalking horse, tossed into the race to force Catazaro-from-Perry to spend money, and to attack her and soften her up so the Extraordinary One may improve his chances in November.

When he was running for mayor in the past, Cicchinelli would have yard signs which read, "Massillon for Cicchinelli, Cicchinelli for Massillon."

We believe he may wish to consider new signage for his November battle. Something more in line with his new political principles.

"Cicchinelli for Cicchinelli" seems more appropriate.