Glenn Gamber - Council's Boss

In 2003, Republican Donnie Peters ran against Massillon's Ward 5 Councilman, Democrat Glenn Gamber. Massillon's Ward 5, on the Southwest side of Massillon, is overwhelmingly Democratic. Donnie Peters almost upsets Glenn, and Glenn holds on to win by a mere 8 votes. As Donnie gears up for a rematch, Glenn Gamber looks for a way out.

As Glenn Gamber is a Mayor Cicchinelli loyalist, and reliable rubber stamp, something had to be done to help him. Glenn Gamber announces to the world that he is "retiring" from politics, and won't be seeking re-election. Donnie Peters is now running unopposed for Ward 5 council, as Glenn is now "retired."

What about Glenn? At the candidate filing deadline, Glenn files petitions to run for Massillon Council President. This was odd, because Massillon already had a Democratic Council President, Dennis Harwig. Was Glenn, who didn't think he could beat a Republican in an overwhelming Democratic ward, now thinking he could beat the sitting council President? No, the fix was in!

Behind closed doors so that citizens wouldn't know these offices were open, and that they could run too, the Mayor's political machine was running on all cylinders.

Dennis Harwig was appointed City Income Tax Investigator. Harwig then vacated his council president's position, so Glenn would win the election unopposed, and be appointed to the remainder of Harwig's term. Harwig's "job" was to visit construction sites and account for any income tax due the city. He was also supposed to submit a written report to city council every month detailing his progress. He submitted only one report total in four plus years. It was well known that Harwig really didn't do much income tax work.

City employees would catch Harwig sleeping in a first floor office during the day. It was so bad, that during the city's budget crisis in 2009, where some employees were laid off, or furloughed, that Denny Harwig was asked to "retire." This critical city position was so important to the city, that it was never filled again.

More importantly, Glenn Gamber through this series of events, was able to continue his political career and be Massillon City Council President.