In February of this year, Massillon's former 24 year elected Democratic mayor, and 38 year serving Democratic elected official, Frank Cicchinelli, was a Democrat, dutifully circulating Democratic nominating petitions for Democratic at large councilman Paul Manson. "Under penalty of election falsification," Cicchinelli affirmed he was "a member of the Democratic party."
That was February.
In April, Frank Cicchinelli completed an extraordinary political conversion, "cutting the cord" from the Democratic Party, and becoming an 'Independent.'
And since he was now 'Independent,' coincidentally, he decided it was a good time to run for mayor as an 'Independent.'
Now, as we all know, this political conversion was genuine. Frank Cicchinelli was obviously blinded by the white, hot light of 'Independence' on the road to the Stark County Board of Elections to collect his petition so he could return to the mayor's office he occupied for a quarter century as a Democrat.
The naysayers among us would argue that he converted merely for political opportunity, that he became an 'Independent' merely so he could run for mayor in the November election, thereby avoiding a Democratic primary against the woman who kicked his behind in the Democratic primary just four years before.
The naysayers would argue that Frank Cicchinelli left Massillon in such a mess, that there was "no way in Hell,' he could hope to convince over 50% of Massillon's voters to return him to power.
But in a four way race, now a three way race, as the other Independent candidate couldn't muster enough signatures on his petition to reach the ballot, Cicchinelli could cobble together a little more than a third of the votes in November, and that could return him to where he belongs, as Massillon's Supreme Leader.
His intent is critical to whether or not he gets to run.
If his conversion is proven to be genuine, he can legally run for mayor.
If it is determined his conversion is not genuine, that he is an 'Independent' in Democratic clothing, the law will stop his running.
But of course, we believe our faithful readers are fully convinced by Frank Cicchinelli's word and deed that his conversion is genuine, that his beliefs are true, and that he is now 'Independent.'
And this 'Independence' should be celebrated.
On July 3rd, at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, the City of Massillon will be celebrating the "City of Champions Independence Day Celebration" with live music, food, and of course fireworks!
It should be an extraordinary time.
And we believe an extraordinary event requires an extraordinary grand marshal.
We therefore nominate the newly minted 'Independent' Frank Cicchinelli to serve as grand marshal of the "Independence Day Celebration."
Just as the United States of America "cut the cord" from England back in 1776, Frank Cicchinelli "cut the cord" from the Democratic Party way back in April.
And we should celebrate.
Because if Frank Cicchinelli isn't truly 'Independent,' then he doesn't get to run for mayor.
And what a terrible shame that would be!
