We Can Do So Much Better

A Plaque dedication was held yesterday, Memorial Day, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Viaduct. The bronze plaque contains the names of the 18 Massillon servicemen who died during the war. This was organized by a committee which included retired Judge Richard Kettler, and local historian Margy Vogt. Margy Vogt was also the keynote speaker at the Memorial Day Ceremony following Massillon's annual Memorial Day Parade.

Judge Kettler is a retired Massillon Municipal Court Judge. A Republican respected by people of both political parties, Kettler served our nation with distinction during the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Air Force. Kettler is active with various veterans' organizations and is a person who deeply cares about his community.

Margy Vogt is so much more than a local historian. Margy is the keeper of the Massillon story. A person would be challenged to find someone more committed to their community than Margy Vogt. The Massillon Museum and Margy Vogt are almost synonymous. It is hard to think of one without thinking of the other.

The Massillon Memorial Day activities clarified the level of commitment these two people have for their community. These are the types of individuals who should be leading our community. People who have the common good ahead of personal political gamesmanship. People who work to build consensus, and do not strive to create division. People who take responsibility, and don't worry about who to blame when things go wrong. People who listen to the ideas of others, and do not dismiss a good idea because it wasn't their idea. People who would do the right thing, because it is the right thing to do.

Either one of these two individuals would make an excellent Republican candidate for Mayor of Massillon next year. They would likely receive support from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Our city deserves so much better than the crass political gamesmanship, the financial irresponsibility, the paranoia, and the vindictiveness of our current city administration.

Mayor Frank Cicchinelli will have served 38 uninterrupted years in Massillon City Government, the last quarter century as Mayor. It is time for our Mayor for Life to enter retirement. It is time for a city leader who is focused on the community, not just the next election. We deserve better. We can do better. Good people need to rise to the occasion and bring Massillon the change it so desperately needs.