The Taxman Cometh

In 2007, David Hersher was elected to Massillon City Council as an at large member. Massillon voters get to elect three at large members. We elected Paul Manson, Larry Slagle, and the aforementioned David Hersher. Hersher finished third of three in the vote totals, about one thousand votes behind Manson and Slagle. Manson and Slagle had almost identical vote totals.

Manson.....3,963 votes
Slagle.........3,953 votes
Hersher.....2,965 votes

In 2009, Manson, Slagle, and David Hersher all ran for re-election. They were unopposed for the three Massillon City Council slots. The voters may cast three votes for council at large. In theory, Manson, Slagle, and Hersher should have received approximately the same vote total. Three candidates, and three votes for council at large. They didn't. Paul Manson and Larry Slagle received about the same number of votes, with David Hersher finishing a distant third.

Manson......4,088 votes
Slagle..........4,075 votes
Hersher......3,293 votes

Almost 800 less people voted for David Hersher than voted for Paul Manson, or Larry Slagle, and all three were unopposed.

One would guess after looking at the election results, Councilman Hersher would be inclined to improve his standing within the community, and work hard to be a councilman who truly represents his constituents, thereby increasing his public support.

One would be wrong.

David Hersher's tenure on Massillon City Council hasn't exactly been Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. David Hersher has become one of Massillon Mayor for Life Frank Cicchinelli's most loyal rubber stamps.

When elected to city council, the first initiative pushed by Councilman Hersher was to raise our sewer rates. He was in office just a few short months, but in that short time decided our sewer rates were not high enough. Now David Hersher is working on legislation to assess Massillon residents a monthly storm water fee. This fee will generate an additional $160,000 per year for the city. When this passes, and we are confident the rubber stamps will approve it, this will be Hersher's second major fee increase in less than three years as a councilman.

While we are not so naive as to not realize where Hersher's fee increase plans truly originated from, it is quite apparent that Hersher is happily taking responsibility for their enactment. We do, however, need to be careful. When Taxman Hersher comes looking for your vote next year to return him to council, city residents better hide their wallets.