Dissension in the Ranks

The people of Massillon are served, a term we use loosely, by a nine member city council. Four of the council members, Taxman Dave Hersher, Lap Dog of the Treasury Paul Manson, Ron Mang and David McCune are loyal, faithful, diehard mayoral rubber stamps.

These four have voted to spend our tax dollars to pay for the mortgage of a private hotel. They vote for the mayor's unbalanced budgets. They vote to raise sewer rates, and "storm water utility fees." They always support the mayor.

If Frank Cicchinelli wanted to offer tax abatement to an al-Qaida terror cell, these four, in all likelihood, would support it.

They tow the party line.

They carry the mayor's water.

They vote in unison.

They are usually joined by either Larry Slagle, or Donnie Peters to give the mayor his crucial fifth vote. Peters and Slagle sometimes vote against the mayor on big issues. The Fab Four don't.

For the first time, it appears there is dissension in these ranks.

6th Ward Councilman Dave McCune's daughter received a parking ticket for apparently parking in a handicapped parking spot. Councilman McCune was not happy. According to our Mayor for Life's Safety-Service Director, Mike Loudiana, McCune felt that she should not have to pay;

"He wanted us to forgive the ticket" (Mike Loudiana, The Independent, December 30, 2010).

To their credit, the administration did not.

It has been argued that Councilman McCune was using his position as a member of council to help his daughter get the ticket "forgiven."

Of course, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Fifth Ward Councilman Donnie "Gandhi" Peters, was there to put the fine art of diplomacy into practice;

"He (McCune) knows if he were here, I would jump his (expletive) about it."
(The Independent, December 30, 2010).

"Peters said McCune's "motives are off base..." and said McCune is using his political seat for personal gain" (The Independent, December 30, 2010).

You knew it was a bad night for McCune when even fellow rubber stamp Paul Manson opposed McCune's desire to give parking offenders more time to pay their fines.

"I'm sorry, I don't see the reason for it."
(Paul Manson, The Independent, December 30, 2010).

McCune can't be happy with Mayor Cicchinelli, Mike Loudiana, or Paul Manson.

We wonder how this will afect his undying loyalty.