The Ranks are Thinning

2nd Ward Councilman Gary Anderson has a bit of an Independent streak. He voted against the mayor's unbalanced budget the last two years, and opposed spending park tax dollars to purchase the restaurant at the golf course. He also supported 4th Ward Councilman Tony Townsend's plan to rename Shriver Park to honor the late former Councilman T. Roy Roberson.

Anderson didn't always oppose the mayor. Anderson voted to fund the mortgage payments for the Hampton Inn, and Anderson, at the mayor's behest, started the negotiations with Aqua Ohio which led to higher water rates.

Not always in opposition to the mayor, but not a mindless rubber stamp either.

Our beloved Mayor for Life, King Francis the Eternal, wants council members who mindlessly rubber stamp his every proposal. People like Taxman Hersher, Lap Dog of the Treasury Manson, David "I am the Law" McCune, and Ron Mang.

The mayor works tirelessly to control "his" city council, and when a council member gets out of line, he looks to punish that person, and replace him (or her) at the next election.

The mayor recruited Kevin Phillips to run against Gary Anderson in the 2nd Ward Democratic primary this May. Phillips' wife worked for the Cicchinelli family, and Frank Cicchinelli drove Phillips to the elections board himself to file Phillips' nominating papers.

Kevin Phillips might as well have had "rubber stamp" printed on his forehead.

And then Phillips quit the election.

"Kevin M. Phillips, a Democrat running for Massillon City Council Ward 2, withdrew his name; he provided no reason. That means fellow Democrat Gary Anderson will automatically advance to the fall election" (The Repository, February 12, 2010).

Anderson wins the primary.

Anderson's opponent in November will be Republican Nancy Halter. Halter, should she be elected, will not be a mayoral rubber stamp either.

Cicchinelli is now down one rubber stamp.

He still has Jackie Carter running against Tony Townsend in the 4th Ward. The Mayor for Life's wife canvassed the ward to put Jackie on the ballot.

He also has Mrs. Ron Pribich running in Ward 3, to replace Kathy Catazaro-Perry, who is running for mayor.

Taxman Hersher, Paul Manson and Larry Slagle are unopposed in May, and the Republicans have put forth just one candidate for the three council at large seats, Milan Chovan, Jr. Manson and Slagle will be easily re-elected. Only the Taxman might be in danger.

Two Democrats are running for the right to challenge Donnie Peters in Ward 5. Peters did not tow the line 100% of the time. Strangely enough, the tax issues relating to his business magically found their way to the newspaper, and he has opposition for the first time since he was elected six years ago. Just a coincidence, we're sure.

No, our beloved Mayor for Life will not be able to control all nine council seats.

The best he can do is eight.

At least the citizens are guaranteed one.