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Ryan Kulik: Political motivated amateurs have taken over

Kulik compares a political pro, like himself to politically motivated flame throwing amateurs.

Loveland, Ohio – Resident Ryan Kulik went to the September 12 council meeting and gave a speech about the state of Loveland politics. He said it has been “downright dreadful.”

Kulik said that no one wants to talk about the positive things brought by Rob Stansel, the City’s former economic development director who council voted to let go last May because the contract he had with the City exceeded the spending authority of City Manager Dave Kennedy. However, Kulik had plenty to say about Stansel in his speech and defended the work while employed by Kennedy. Some of the claims Kulik made were credible, some not.

Ryan Kulik

Kulik claimed Stansel secured over half a million dollars for the sale of property Loveland taxpayers own on Chestnut Street, however the letter of intent to buy the property was never signed and it expired.

Kulik warns of Loveland having an anti-business attitude and set his aim on The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, the Loveland Heartbeat Political Action Committee, and Councilman Rob Weisgerber.

The day after Kulik gave his speech at the council meeting he sent the full text of his speech to Loveland Magazine with this message, “I have attached my full remarks to council, I did leave out huge chunks because 5 minutes is far too short for a blowhard like myself..” Below is that text with the following disclaimer from Kulik.

I am currently not working with anyone associated with the city council. I have talked with a few people who are running, but I have yet to sign a contract to exclusively work for anyone. Due to confidentiality agreements I can not reveal who I have spoken with. I did want you to know all of this so it is clear where I am coming from. As long as I am free from any contracts in the city, I would like to continue to get my opinions out in this volatile political climate. I will keep you updated if any of this changes.

Thank you, Council, and thank you fellow residents and friends of Loveland.

My name is Ryan Kulik and I live in Loveland. I manage a political consulting firm that specializes in local government. I worked, as in I got paid for my services, on my first campaign in 1992. We lost. Since that November in 1992, I have worked on numerous political issues, and worked on more campaigns than I wish to count. I do this because I love politics, I love America, and I love my community.

A Political Action Committee that has taken joy in stopping the discussion of positive economic growth in our city.

The narrative about Loveland, my community, in 2017 has been downright dreadful. A small group of political motivated amateurs have taken over and halted the business of the city, the mayor resigned, the council is split, and even more surprising, the local Chamber of Commerce has publicly endorsed, with money and with words, a Political Action Committee that has taken joy in stopping the discussion of positive economic growth in our city. Even members of this council have voted against legally required public hearings, read the charter, read the Ohio Constitution. These votes, along with the local chamber, and dedicated group of political motivated amateurs has made Loveland a town that is viewed as unfavorable to growth and not welcoming to new business.

That narrative is unacceptable. I have worked with numerous chambers of commerce, and to be aligned with a group that is anti-business is unthinkable. I have worked with a bunch of people who have run for local government. One of the biggest sins is to have a voting record that shows you are anti-growth and anti-business. I figure if we are going to let the political neophytes have control of our city, why not let a political professional have a crack at the bat. Maybe now we can start to correct the narrative of Loveland.

How is it I can paint these groups as anti-business you ask? Well, let me explain. The anti-business political group has recently brought up the cancelled contract of Mr. Rob Stansel. What is that Mr. Stansel did wrong? I can see where the council should have had a discussion on his services when the contract exceeded the City Manager’s spending limits, but council never had that discussion. Rob Stansel was hired by the City Manager, not council. That is what a city manager does. The council should have had a chance to vote on his contract when the City Manager’s spending limit was exceeded. We never had this discussion. A political amateur seems to always forget these things Again maybe they just don’t know. A political professional knows how a city runs.

As a tax paying resident of Loveland, I am happy that the City Manager hired Mr Stansel, and I am appalled that his services were let go in a blatant politically expedient move by a member of this council. Rob Stansel created, and was still creating, positive economic growth in Loveland. He secured over half a million dollars for the Chestnut property. He was working a deal for the infamous Christman property that would have brought another financial windfall to the city. Thank goodness, the City Manager hired Mr. Stansel. It is a shame that a politically motivated stunt by members of this council caused Loveland to lose someone who was bringing prosperity to our neighborhood. It is a big political sin to be anti-business and anti-growth.

Here’s some free advice, if you want to be a political flamethrower, be well versed in what libel and slander are.

No one wants to talk about the positive things brought by Rob Stansel, and other professionals to Loveland. The narrative has been infected with constant negativity. The refuge of the political amateur is to throw around the terms illegal and corruption. First off, be very careful when you throw those words around. The internet is written in ink, your words will live forever. Political pros, like myself, will look for any signs of behavior, or words, that are legally questionable. Here’s some free advice, if you want to be a political flamethrower, be well versed in what libel and slander are.

Second, what was illegal? The city manager hired Mr Stansel, Mr. Stansel created an incredible return on investment. In Councilman Wesigerber’s defense of the three contracts given to the lobbyists at the Colwell Group, that is right, there were three separate contracts. Managing my own politically consulting group for years I used to love to work with people like then Mayor Weisgerber. If he kept rewriting contracts for new work, I never had to deal with council votes and the public was never able to voice their concern. In my profession, it is easier to work with elected officials who like to dodge transparency.

But back to Councilman Weisgerber’s words. He claimed the three contracts secured by the Colwell group created a great return on investment. He is correct. Do you know what else is correct, the one contract with Rob Stansel created an even greater return on investment, and if this council had acknowledged this, Rob Stansel would still be working for the economic benefit of Loveland. Cancelling Rob Stansel’s contract without debate is an anti-business and anti-growth political sin, and every time someone wants to bring up the contract, I will remind people of this sin.

As for the word corruption. Again, be very careful. Words have consequences, and there is nothing but negativity with the word corruption. If you want to incite discord, then continue to use negativity. That seems to be the only plan of action from the political motivated anti-growth group. Just make sure you are in the clear, legally of course.

I was raised catholic, so I believe in the power of confession and the absolution of one’s sins. The political sin of being anti-business can be absolved, all you need to do is confess.

In 1992, I was a political amateur, I have spent the last twenty-five years learning. I am still learning. I encourage everyone who is new to Loveland politics, stay with it and keep learning. I lost my first race, but that did not deter me. Also, I was raised catholic, so I believe in the power of confession and the absolution of one’s sins. The political sin of being anti-business can be absolved, all you need to do is confess. Think about the future of Loveland. I am dedicated to returning to our pro-business and pro-growth policies. Our council, and community should share my goals. Join me.

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Sep 17, 2017
Rob Weisgerber on allegations by Tim Canada and Pam Gross

by Rob Weisgerber,

The assertion was false and heedlessly made without full knowledge of the facts.

I want to take this opportunity to set the record straight. The assertion made by a local business owner and council member that illegal payments were made to a contractor the City used throughout 2013 is false and was heedlessly made without full knowledge of the facts.

During the 8/22/17 Loveland City Council meeting, Mr. Tim Canada, of Bond Furniture, addressed city council about transparency in Loveland politics. (See video below) Mr. Canada asked questions about payments made to a contractor the City used throughout 2013. During this same address, he asked for a subpoena of the former city manager and Pam Gross asserted the referenced payments were illegal. In a subsequent email from Tim Canada, he also asserted the payments to the Colwell Group were illegal.

While Mr. Canada wanted an immediate response in the moment, given the inflammatory nature of the inquiry and Ms. Gross’s statement, I chose to hold my response so that I could research the matter in question and consult with the appropriate people to ensure my response was accurate. Knowing full well that I was risking more inflammatory accusations by not answering questions at that moment. I have no interest in participating in the kind of inflammatory and reckless rhetoric heard at the 8/22 council meeting.

There was absolutely nothing illegal regarding the contracts with the Colwell Group, nor were any city procedures or spending authority violated.

After proper review, including discussion with Loveland’s city solicitor and Mr. Colwell, I indeed have answers to Mr. Canada’s questions. I will start with this fundamental fact: There was absolutely nothing illegal regarding the contracts with the Colwell Group, nor were any city procedures or spending authority violated.

The Colwell Group is a professional organization providing help and solutions to political subdivisions in Ohio. The City of Loveland hired the Colwell group for three separate engagements covering lobbying to get state funding for performance measures, working with ODNR and the railroad on quiet zone needs, and working to secure a grant from ODNR for parking. All three agreements were properly reviewed by legal and the finance director, and all three efforts were at or under the legal spending authority of the city manager, per the city’s rules. Under the final contract, the Colwell Group secured between $300,000 and $350,000 in a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for the downtown parking area that is now the Linda Cox lot. That represented a 20X return for the taxpayers of Loveland.

Mr. Canada often references his extensive research, yet the facts of these contracts were readily accessible, had this information been his primary interest or objective.

Mr. Canada often references his extensive research, yet the facts of these contracts were readily accessible, had this information been his primary interest or objective. Whether at a meeting or in emails, calling for subpoenas and lobbing terms like “illegal” and “tarnished reputation” make for great drama in the moment, but when invoked without proof or cause, they are irresponsible and reckless. Mr. Canada is creating the very negativity he has lamented repeatedly from the podium.

With more than 20 years proudly serving the City of Loveland as a representative of city council, I cannot claim to have never made a mistake or a decision I regretted in hindsight. But I have always made decisions with the best interest of the city and its residents in mind, and to the best of my ability with the information available at the time. I intend to carry this same approach forward, with greater council collaboration, communication and resident involvement. Loveland residents deserve nothing less.

Rob Weisgerber is a Loveland Council member and running for re-election this November.

Here is video from LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV showing what was said by Tim Canada and Pam Gross during the August 22 City Council meeting:

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Sep 11, 2017
Tom Morris: Council news broke with a scripted middle finger

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please excuse the quality of our recent video work from the Loveland City Hall council chamber. After the City recently hired Public Information Officer (PIO) Joe Wessels, LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV has been put into a small corral to one side of the room, and the podium was placed so that when the public rises to speak, they have their backs toward the audience and our camera. We have talked to the City Manager and the Clerk of Council about how this arrangement significantly degrades our video, “The old set-up allowed a video camera to swing back and forth between those at the podium and the council table. That arrangement had been used for decades.”

Our plea has fallen on deaf ears. The PIO, however, did respond saying, “Unfortunately, the arrangement of the media area will not be moved to accommodate better angles at this time.”

So, for the time being, LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV is forced to show butts instead of faces, except when Councilwoman Pam Gross uses the podium. (See this recent video)

City’s PR man Wessels paid “Almost $76 per minute of meeting” – Tom Morris

Loveland, Ohio – “Our town is a bit of an embarrassment. The actions of this Council in recent weeks have been deplorable, unfortunate, and absolutely a joke.” is how Tom Morris began his speech at the August 22 Loveland Council meeting. He wants it fixed and offered solutions.

He told the remaining three members of the “Fitzgerald Four” that the previous council meeting was, “A scripted middle finger.” He was talking to Vice-Mayor Angie Settell, Pam Gross, and Steven Zamagias when they attempted to make Settell, mayor, and Gross, vice-mayor. The meeting was later ruled illegal because of improper public notice. Morris said that that problem will hopefully be rectified in a few weeks with the November election and the replacement of a few members of Council.

Morris then laid into Joe Wessels, the City’s public information officer. He pointed to Wessels who was sitting at a desk alongside the side of the Council chamber and said he was getting paid $2 a minute, “Just to sit here in the room with us.” He chastised Council for paying Wessels $125 per hour and already $10,000 for signing up for a couple of social media accounts and, “Accomplishing what a seventh-grader does in an afternoon.”

Morris pointed out that Wessels was recently paid $125/hour to have lunch with a resident.

Morris said that Wessels charged the City $531.25, “Almost $76 per minute of meeting” to attend the June 27 Council meeting, a meeting that lasted seven minutes. “Maybe it took more than four hours to shyster a positive spin on something so mind-numbingly dumb, but all we needed was, ‘Grown man acts like a child and is unfit for his position.” Morris was referring to the meeting where then-mayor Fitzgerald called the meeting to order, gave an angry speech and then the “Fitzgerald Four” abruptly adjourned the meeting.

Morris said that the City’s Public Relations Committee has qualified members and could be doing the job Wessels is doing, with more integrity, at no cost to taxpayers.

Later in the meeting, Wessels addressed Council and outlined current projects he is working on but did not address the allegations made by Morris.

Read these related stories:

Who is Joe Wessels and what does he do at City Hall?

Mayor’s Kumbaya Moment pivots to Bye Y’all as Council meeting abruptly…

Solicitor tells Council their meeting was not proper and Settell is…

Mark Fitzgerald resigns as Loveland Mayor and councilmember

Loveland: Meet Chester, the fried chicken you’ve been awaiting!

Sep 7, 2017
Business group seeks transparency during election

Loveland, Ohio – Businessman Tim Canada placed a four-inch thick binder on the shelf under the speaker’s podium before speaking at the Loveland Council meeting on August 22 saying he represented several local businesses. He said that since there was so much said during the campaign to recall former Mayor Mark Fitzgerald charging him with not being transparent, he was putting all candidates on notice. He said, “Going forward every candidate and council person will be under scrutiny for transparency.” He said their efforts would also be directed at The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance and the Loveland Community Heartbeat PAC. He said the business people would be speaking for the next eight weeks about transparency – going back to 2007.

Canada said that Halie Rebeccaschild had used two different names on campaign finance reports submitted to the board of elections that were submitted by the recall campaign committee. He inferred it would be election falsification and that it would be a fifth-degree felony to do so.

Canada continued saying, “It bothers me to do this, but I am going to do it anyway.” He then went on to talk about a candidate for Council, Neal Oury, outlining past law suits he has been involved in and his personal bankruptcy.

After Canada made the public statements that were aired on the live Facebook feed of the council meeting by LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV, Rebeccaschild and Oury were asked if they would like to respond to the things said about them by the business group.

Here are their responses:

– Halie S. Rebeccaschild

Loveland Community Heartbeat has amended the filing to correct the error. The mistake was in part due to a name change and the treasurer referencing an account not current with the name change at the time of entry to the ledger. Contrary to Mr. Canada’s suggestion, a filing error does not equate to a felony. According to the Hamilton County Board of Elections Campaign Finance Department, amendments to filings are quite common.

– Neal Oury

During August 22, 2017, Loveland City Council meeting business owner Tim Canada raised concerns over law suits in which I have been named and my experience with personal bankruptcy. Regardless of Tim’s motive in bringing these to light, I do recognize that as an individual seeking public office, such matters are up for public scrutiny and I will address them directly.

With regard to the lawsuits mentioned… I’ve spent thirty plus years in the property management and the building and construction business, and sadly, law suits are a reality of these industries. Six of these cases were dismissed due to a lack of grounds; in one action, six suits were filed for back taxes and I was named only as the mortgage holder for properties that I had sold on a land contract. Two suits were decided in my favor. The remaining suits were related to the bankruptcy.

With regard to my filing for personal bankruptcy… I will be honest it was an extremely difficult time for me and my family, and a situation which I am not eager to talk about. The culmination of the economic downturn in 2008-2010, the housing market and remodeling business depleted to nothing. My mortgage on my business property was with 5/3 Bank who called my mortgage due. Unfortunately, the economy did not recover and the lack of business led to a situation where I was not able to meet my financial obligations. However painful the experience, I took responsibility, made reparations, and continue today following through on my commitment to pay that debt. It has been a long and difficult road, but as the saying goes, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.

To the degree that Tim felt it necessary to bring these events to light for the sake of transparency, as was demanded of Mark Fitzgerald during the recall drive, I will point out some very relevant differences. First, I have never been accused of fraud, as was the case with Fitzgerald; I have never been fired from a job due to issues of integrity. It appears Fitzgerald has been accused of misusing public funds, my financial hardship affected no one but my family. I have never walked out of nor been booed at any meetings. I take pride in my integrity to do what is right.

When I declared my candidacy for Loveland City Council, it was not with any pretense of my being perfect or not having experienced failure in my life. That decision was the result of my lifelong desire to make Loveland a better place, with city leadership that is inclusive, responsive and respectful of its citizens and to have an open dialogue with the community. With my candidacy comes a promise that I will work tirelessly for Loveland and with Loveland.

Respectfully submitted, Neal Oury

Below are excerpts from the speech Canada gave at the Council meeting.

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Aug 27, 2017
[Video] Eva Hunley: “Everything historical is going away.”

Loveland, Ohio – Eva Hunley, a resident of Historic Downtown, said at the July 11 Council meeting that when she moved to Loveland it was a historical town and now everything historical was gone. She asked why the train horns had to stop blowing and said the clock had quit ticking, and the chimes have stopped playing music.

“Everything historical is going away and is gone and I’d like to know why it’s going away,” said Hunley.

She mostly got patronizing laughs, except City Manager, Dave Kennedy who replied that the train horns stopped because the City created a quiet zone as part of the development agreement with Loveland Station Apartments in downtown and that the chimes were malfunctioning and he is working on the repair.

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Aug 17, 2017
Halie Rebeccaschild: “Mark Fitzgerald’s pathetic attempt to discredit those brave enough to dare question his history

“We are the few willing to make a serious sacrifice to address corruption head on.”

– Halie Rebeccaschild

Loveland, Ohio – In the former Loveland mayor’s resignation speech at Tuesday’s council meeting, he made some blistering comments towards his political opponents. There was no open forum on the agenda for the meeting Mark Fitzgerald called to discuss his political future.

The Loveland Community Heartbeat Political Action Committee was particularly targeted in the speech so their spokesperson, Halie Rebeccaschild was asked if she would like to respond on the pages of Loveland Magazine.

You can view Fitzgeralds speech at the bottom of this page.

Halie Rebeccaschild

“Look Out for a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing,” said Mark Fitzgerald. This statement from him came at the end of a long, accusatory speech at the end of his unfortunate political career here in Loveland, Ohio. Residents signed a petition for Mark Fitzgerald’s recall election twice this year, the last time driving by the hundreds to sign at a remote location; yet, Mark Fitzgerald still does not get the big picture. And on 8/14, residents were treated to his pathetic attempt to discredit those brave enough to dare question his history of fraud allegations. He belittles both us and our demands of honesty and integrity from him and our elected City Council. And he would have residents believe that holding our elected public servants to a high standard of accountability makes us, the informed and politically engaged residents, the problem. But let’s take a look at a couple of his points to see if they hold merit.

First, Mark Fitzgerald accused the Loveland recall committee of having a singular origin of a small group of people. False. Loveland Community Heartbeat was only one organization of two behind the recall. Neighbors for Loveland, also supported the recall campaign (https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeighborsforLoveland/), and together, with other unafilliated residents around the city, we comprised more than thirty resident circulators who span the political spectrum. More, the recall committee takes no singular position on “growth” other than fiscal conservation, and we do not yearn for nostalgia, unless dreaming of a time when politicians served the people who elected them. Instead, the recall committee focused on the unethical behavior of Mark Fitzgerald, and in doing so, we collected over eighteen hundred signatures on the final petition.

Second, In addition to misinforming residents about the members of the recall committee, in his lengthy diatribe, Mark Fitzgerald acted coy about any reasons for recall. Of the complaint stated on the recall petition, he mocked, “What does this mean?” Of course, the reasons for recall, were posted since April on the website, www.lovelandheartbeat.org/recall, with links to primary sources revealing the nature of the fraud allegations brought forth by two whistleblowers during his employment as city administrator in North College Hill, and more recently, the disastrous Ohio state audit of North College Hill during his tenure (http://lovelandheartbeat.org/train_wreck/). The fact that Mark Fitzgerald failed to inform residents about the two fraud allegations during his 2015 campaign for City Council is at the basis for recall. This singular lie-of-omission is enough; yet, Loveland residents may also point to abuse of power, exemplified in the following third point.

Third, Mark Fitzgerald accuses the resident-stakeholder organization driving the recall, Loveland Community Heartbeat, of having no platform. False. Loveland Community Heartbeat advocates for resident engagement. We have promoted a resident-led master plan (http://lovelandheartbeat.org/about/masterplan/) and have addressed City Council in the past year to promote the positive benefits of residents at the table to determine the future direction of our city. Yet, our addresses to City Council repeatedly fell on the deaf ears of Mark Fitzgerald, Angie Settell, Pam Gross, and Steve Zamagias. We can see this in action when looking to the votes around the 4-story city hall project. Although, Rob Weisgerber advocated for residents’ concerns by motioning for interactive conversations with residents prior to any public hearing, his motion was shot down by the majority four. As a public hearing was the final step needed by law before the project and land would be turned over to the Community Improvement Corporation where it would be out of residents’ hands, Weisgerber’s motion could have led to resident engagement around the city hall project. Instead, the majority blocked such engaged discussions and have gone silent ever since (https://youtu.be/Z8215klQaAg).

Mark Fitzgerald doesn’t want to talk about the 4-story city hall project, and he certainly doesn’t want you to know that the mayor he voted into office on 8/14, Angie Settell, defended a 4-story city hall building as “among the most original and creative business decisions the city has made” (Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/16, http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/loveland/2016/12/20/loveland-get-new-city-hall/95706160/)

And if Rob Weisgerber, Ted Phelps, and Kathy Bailey hadn’t blocked the vote for the public hearing required by law before setting that project in motion, residents would today be looking at a demolished plot at 120 W. Loveland Avenue with two years of construction smack in the middle of Old Loveland. Did Mark Fitzgerald, Angie Settell, Pam Gross, and Steve Zamagias do their job as public servants to speak with residents across all neighborhoods before pushing to a final vote? It appears not, as the project was politically unpopular and failed miserably under resident scrutiny. Loveland Community Heartbeat was there to slow this project down until residents can be at the planning table.

Finally, Mark Fitzgerald threw around some interesting conspiracy theories to discredit our resident movement. He made veiled threats to reveal all the dirt on our identities, our past employment, our financial histories, you name it. Yet, nothing about the identities of Loveland Community Heartbeat stakeholders is private. By law, our contributions and identities are made available for anyone willing to take a drive to the Hamilton County Board of Elections, so why all the veiled threats? Does Mark Fitzgerald feel powerful by insinuating that residents who don’t appreciate his service are horrible people with histories and lives more scandalous than Mark Fitzgerald’s himself? The truth is, Loveland residents don’t care about the intricacies of stakeholders’ lives. Loveland residents just want an honest and ethical local government. Mark Fitzgerald just doesn’t get it.

But to momentarily entertain this unprofessional personal attack, I’ll say, Loveland Community Heartbeat comprises the voices of residents who are brave enough to take a stand against Mark Fitzgerald and this corrupt majority regime who claws with all their might to keep a stranglehold around our necks. And we are the few willing to make a serious sacrifice to address corruption head on, risking such personal attacks as seen here by Mark Fitzgerald. We are not a small group of residents, and we will grow even larger as we talk with our neighbors about the scandalous abuse of authority on display at the 8/14 Special City Council meeting. Residents should be outraged by Mark Fitzgerald’s political manipulation to place his chosen majority in power with a vote from him before he resigned from City Council. We would have residents ask, was that vote even legal?

This coordinated and pre-planned theatrical display by Mark Fitzgerald, Angie Settell, Pam Gross, and Steve Zamagias, (not unlike the staged majority walk out https://youtu.be/rZkh0LpYxt4) with their families present to witness, makes crystal clear their repeated and brazen violation of Sunshine Laws. Loveland just moved to settle a Sunshine Law suit; yet, it’s clear the majority City Council Members, including our new mayor, Angie Settell, care nothing about the law or the tax payer dollars spent to fight their corruptions of power.

Mark Fitzgerald, in his effort to cling to power, wants residents to look everywhere but at him to see the wolf in sheep’s clothing. He wants us to fight among ourselves and to blame each other for the problems that he repeatedly creates for Loveland. He wants to claim the high road, with a resignation letter that doesn’t recognize the legal outcome of our successful recall petition but claims he’s resigning out of respect for non-existent term limits. Loveland, we are much better without Mark Fitzgerald, and we can, and will, do much better than those who propped him up. We will continue our good work by voting out this majority power on November 7th, 2017.

Halie Rebeccaschild, Secretary
hrebeccaschild@gmail.comLoveland Community Heartbeat
Political Action Committee
www.lovelandheartbeat.org

Also read:

BACKGROUND OF FITZGERALD’S WOES AS CITY MANAGER OF NORTH COLLEGE HILL (Here’s what Vice-Mayor Settle didn’t want you to know)

Mark Fitzgerald resigns as Loveland Mayor and councilmember

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Aug 15, 2017
Fitzgerald’s long time “Running-Mate” talked about his friend

Loveland, Ohio – One week before the former mayor, Mark Fitzgerald resigned his council seat (Mark Fitzgerald resigns as Loveland Mayor and council member) his long time friend and long-distance trail and road running mate, George Brennock went to the council meeting and expressed his virtues.

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Aug 15, 2017
Mark Fitzgerald resigns as Loveland Mayor and councilmember

“There is little doubt in my mind of prevailing in an election this fall. It’s a shame that a small group has seen fit to drag the city’s great image through the mud to further their vicious and unfounded personal attacks on me.”

by Sam Smith

Loveland, OH- On the evening of Monday, August 14th, then-mayor Mark Fitzgerald called a meeting to order. The special meeting was, according to a press release, intended to “respond to matters related to the recently filed petition seeking his recall as a member of City Council”. Fitzgerald would go on to resign his seat as mayor. Angela Settell took his place as Mayor and Pam Gross was named Vice-Mayor. After adjournment, a letter was distributed explaining that Fitzgerald would resign his council seat.

Fitzgerald addresses a full house at the City Council meeting

Fitzgerald, who has served ten years as an elected individual and was two years into his term as mayor, began the meeting with a speech. Fitzgerald was once Loveland’s City Manager.

“There is little doubt in my mind of prevailing in an election this fall. It’s a shame that a small group has seen fit to drag the city’s great image through the mud to further their vicious and unfounded personal attacks on me,” Fitzgerald began.

In his address, he defended his personal integrity and criticized the petition and those circulating it who were seeking his recall, calling it “nefarious activity”. He went on to attack the political action committee (PAC) that funded the petition and individuals who had helped run the petition for recall.

“Who are these people? Do they live in Loveland? Who are their sponsors? Based on the PAC’s financial report, they shouldn’t be able to afford much expensive legal help. What are their names? Some seem to have multiple names. What is their past profession? How have they performed professionally? Are they successes? Or are they business failures? Bankrupts? Do they frequently change addresses, names or jobs? What are their work records? Do they work?” asked Fitzgerald.

“Have they received special considerations that have to do with these relationships such as forgiven utility bills or no interest loans?” the mayor continued, to incredulous laughter from the audience.

Former mayor Mark Fitzgerald reads from the recall petition

Fitzgerald denounced the language and accusations in the petition for vagueness, and made tacit jabs at individuals and members of the local media.

Fitzgerald then resigned his position as mayor (although not his council seat).

“Watch out…” Fitzgerald gestured to the audience “…For wolves in sheep’s clothing.” This was met with boos and jeers. “At this time, I would like to be relieved of my position and duties as mayor, and will entertain a motion from council for the selection of a new mayor,” finished Fitzgerald.

A a long time Loveland resident and voting Stakeholder of the Loveland Community Heartbeat Political Action Committee, Ellen Mershon responded to Fitzgerald’s speech. She said, “I was appalled at Mr. Fitzgerald’s attempt to deflect any responsibility regarding his own behavior both personally and professionally by his attempt to cast dispersions on others.” She said that the behavior the former Mayor exhibited only illustrated the need for the recall. “I am grateful for the voters who came forward to sign petitions, not once but twice for his removal,” said Mershon.

Kathy Bailey waits for a new mayor to be nomintated

Soon-to-be Vice-Mayor Pamela Gross observes the proceedings

In order to fill the vacant mayor position, a nomination and council election was performed. Previous Vice-Mayor, Angela Settell, was sworn in as mayor by Fitzgerald. Next, in order to fill the vice-mayor seat, council member Pam Gross was nominated and elected.

Mayor Angie Settell swears under oath in order to fill the mayor position

Pamela gross takes her oath to become Vice-Mayor

Upon adjournment, Fitzgerald still held a seat in City Council, but had until midnight to resign or else face a recall vote. Fitzgerald refused to speak to the press. New vice mayor Pam Gross declined to interview.

“[Fitzgerald] has stepped down as mayor, so there will be no recall in November,” Mayor Angela Settell explained to Loveland Magazine. Shortly thereafter, a letter from Fitzgerald to Council Clerk Misty Cheshire was distributed:

Ten years is a long time to serve in an elected position. There is wisdom in the 22nd amendment limiting term of office for the President. Subsequently, the state of Ohio has done likewise for its governor and general assembly. If it is good policy for the country and state it should be applied to Loveland Council as well.

It is in this spirit that effective at 11:59 p.m. Monday August 14th, 2017, I resign from Loveland Council as well.

Sincerely,

Mark J. Fitzgerald

“Council will have 30 days to reach an appointment. If they can’t reach an agreement within those 30 days, Mayor Settell will have the ability to fill that seat. Under our charter in Loveland, that person will fill that seat for the unexpired term of councilmen Fitzgerald,” expalined City Solicitor Joe Braun. There are two years remaining in the term. “If he had waited past those 5 days [the maximum amount of time to resign], a recall vote could have been held by the people,” continued Braun.

“My feelings are one of disappointment– this didn’t have to happen tonight. I don’t think anything had to happen this way. The notice was too short, it wasn’t open to the public which is what this has all been about,” claimed council member Rob Weisgerber in an interview after the meeting. “We have a bad reputation but it’s easy to fix. Once we start having an open dialogue, open to the public, open to discussion, it’s easy to turn this back around. And I think that’s what we have to go though,” Weisgerber continued.

Ted Phelps described the election of a new mayor and vice-mayor as clique politics, stacking the deck, and gaming the system.

Councilmember Ted Phelps said, “I am mad. It’s to the public’s detriment. I’m sorry this happened tonight.” He described the election of a new mayor and vice-mayor as clique politics, stacking the deck, and gaming the system. “There was no reason why we needed to vote on a new mayor and vice-mayor today. The public didn’t know this was coming up for a vote. I didn’t know.” Phelps said no one had time for serious consideration on an important issue. “This is exactly why people are up in arms about the way the City conducts business on City Council – because it is in a way that’s not up front, it’s not honest. It’s not fair because someone who could be resigning from our Council tonight is given the right to have a say in who gets elected to be the next mayor. So it’s for that reason I am not at this point in time able to congratulate either the new mayor or vice-mayor.

Neal Oury – file photo

Neal Oury who was a leader in the ouster of Fitzgerald and intimate in the two successful recall petition drives issued this statement to Loveland Magazine:

This little “small group”, as he called the Recall Committee, is many in size, with over thirty petitioners collecting signatures, 2000 plus residents behind us, not once – but twice, makes a profound statement. Those signing the petitions equal approximately thirty-five percent of all the residents who voted in the last election. They were certified by the Board of Elections as Loveland residents. Their “professions, successes, failures and utility bills” are immaterial and, frankly, an insult to the community. The resigned ex-mayor’s unprofessional rant last night was like so many other council meetings he has presided over. The disorder, rude, verbal attacks and skullduggery are always evident. He is the one who has dragged the city’s image through the mud.

This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video is the resignation speech Fitzgerald gave to start the Council meeting.

Below is a re-broadcast of the entire council meeting from LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV which broadcast the meeting live

Loveland Magazine kept the camera live feed rolling and conducted several interviews after the meeting adjourned. Near the end reporter Sam Smith reports that Fitzgerald had submitted a letter of resignation.

At the -30:03 min. mark Councilmember Ted Phelps is interviewed and expresses his anger at what happened. At the -25:43 min. mark is an interview with Councilmember Rob Weisgerber expressing his disappointment. At the -18:17 min. mark council candidate Neal Oury is interviewed. At the -15:46 min. mark Reporter Sam Smith breaks the news that former Mayor Mark Fitzgerald has submitted his resignation from the Loveland Council. At the -14:43 min. mark Tim Butler candidate for Council is interviewed. At the -2:08 min. mark City Solicitor Joe Braun explains how the replacement of Mark Fitzgerald will happen.

This story was up-dated August 15, 2017 at 8:33 PM

For Background:

Tonight’s special council meeting omits open forum – Other recall news

Mayor does not need to call a “Special Meeting” to comply…

[BREAKING] Loveland Mayor calls for Special Meeting of Council

Recall of Mayor Mark Fitzgerald is “On” again

A family-owned business offering a wide variety of soft-serve specialty…

After enjoying a day out, stop by and relax with your favorite desert in our picnic area

Aug 14, 2017
[VIDEO] Shanda Gentry was appalled by behavior of elected officials

Loveland, Ohio – Shanda Gentry, a twenty-year resident took to the open forum mic during the July 25 Council and said she was appalled by the behavior of elected officials that would allow a speech to be made by the Mayor, and then walk out of a meeting without allowing anyone to respond. ([Exclusive Video] Council Majority shuts down meeting and goes home)

Gentry also addressed Council on the possible deal with a private developer to turn over part of the City owned Christman property for development.

New offerings for your child at VisionArts studio in Loveland

Help your child improve their academic performance this school year by enrolling them in the creative arts program at VisionArts studio in Loveland!

Aug 13, 2017
[Kudos] What are people saying about Loveland Magazine?

Thank you for this article. What a service.

I want to make a donation, but I don’t like to pay via pay pal, etc. If you tell me your address, I’ll send a check. I really appreciate your videos of events in Loveland, exp. the council meetings. Too bad you aren’t able to video as you did in the past. Thanks.

ANOTHER GREAT ARTICLE. GOOD WORK MISTER ED !!

You do a great job keeping us informed! Thanks for all your hard work. (Town hall issue takes me back to the White Pillars era!)

One of your finer moments as a publisher/editor.

And you have had ever so many already. I’m proud to call you a friend. Keep up the good work.

Bang on Willie. And kudos to LM editor for publishing it.

Thanks again for all you do, the free advertising for fire donations is awesome.

What a great issue!

I really appreciated Sam’s article — as well as the images. I’m very appreciative of his work on this.

What a fabulous project (Sue and Owen Wilhoite: Mom and son duo teach in Loveland 1st grade classroom) and product! Congratulations on this!

Wow, great issue!

I feel like you are the Heart of the Heart.

Thank you for publishing this. It looks fantastic!

I support the Loveland Magazine. Thank you,Dave for your time and energy that you put into it.

You do excellent work!

Thanks for sharing these photos. Amazing how high and quick the water got.

Wow, that was fast! Thanks… I’ve seen it now on Twitter and FB, too! Shows the reach of on-line over print.

Just wanted to tell you that this was an extraordinary issue–and not just because there was a story about L.I.F.E. Your coverage of all of the events in Loveland was comprehensive and got the word out that people need to hear.

Thank you so much for your presence in our community.

Thank you so much for helping us gain some exposure for the event. (I saw you posted the information early this week.) I look forward to seeing you and your grand daughter on the 18th.

Thank you for the photo!! It was great to see you!

Thank you for speaking up and speaking out, as well as exposing this act.

Thanks David for keeping us up to date! Government by the people, of the people and for the people……must not perish from this earth!

Thanks for helping to promote Loveland and the artists that call it home!

The story is great! We’ve already received several requests for shirts.

Thanks for all your help in getting Jackson and Morlan together. I think it really speaks to how valuable your Loveland Magazine is to our Loveland Community.

It was written more than “ok”, good buddy.

It was bang on ….hammer on the nail.

Well done.

WOW! What can we say, but thank you for that minute of needed cheer! We’ll be honest, we were so choked up and we couldn’t hold back the tears. I ran to the bathroom because I didn’t want the nurses at the hospital to see me crying. David, I will never doubt your genuine friendship and love for others. You are an amazing man that I respect greatly. I know this only to be true because of our friendship first, but then to see what you post. You care and it means a great deal to all of us in the Loveland community. We appreciate everything you do.

Thank you so very much for posting that! I broke down in tears and had to leave the room. He couldn’t believe they did that for him. I am overwhelmed to say the least. What is the best way to thank the cheer team?

You are amazing. Thank you so much for your help with this!

Congratulations David Miller for having the courage to buck an awful trend right and say what you said, no to Trump!! I’ve only had a small council job in Milford, but that man has no clue how to govern equitably for all of us! Thank you, stay strong.

Thank you, Loveland Magazine, for publishing a common-sense endorsement. In a town with many outspoken Trump supporters, this was a risk, and I applaud the honesty.

I love your work, what you do for Loveland….the picture you posted of my son. Soccer is wonderful. I’m going thru some rugged times but once I’m on my feet, I will do what I can to pitch in.

Thank you for the front page promotion, David!!!

I want to publicly thank the Loveland Magazine for its continuing support of the Loveland Police Department. We must find a way to heal the division in this country before more lives are lost.

David, this is such a really heart warming message. Thank you so much.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful message.

Thank you for that, David. It’s one of my favorite poems. Katie read it for Mitch’s funeral and has silence the pianos tattooed on her arm. What a sad day for our country. I fear things will worsen until there is better control of weapons and communication between races and “establishment”. Peace seems so far away.

Dear Dave,

That was beautiful! What is happening with people? Why so much hate? It is terrible that those things happens. In Venezuela it is the same, day by day people get murdered because of nothing….terrible!

We have to pray for the world!

Bless you.

Well said. Thank you. You rock this town.

Beautifully done!!!!

I like your article, condolences for the police, thank you.

Amen….

I am very thankful for your very gracious gesture. I am in the middle of writing an article on this topic. I will get back with you shortly.

I watched both of the July 4 videos you posted on Loveland Magazine. You did a wonderful job showcasing Loveland businesses and the event. Thank you for all you do for Loveland.

I think this is a brilliant response on free speech!

Too few people actually understand the freedoms, and limitations thereof, granted by our Constitution and its amendments. Thank you for this simple explanation.

So well done, sir –

David, thank you so much. I appreciate your help in keeping the memory of Seth going in the Loveland community.

Amazing coverage. What a gift you give.

Your Welcome – really enjoy Loveland Magazine – much continued success!

Thank you for your great story on the solution!

You have been so kind and fair to the market the last two months. Thank you very much and thanks for the super vision on POP Easter services. You rock!

Damn… You’re on a roll with all the breaking news.

Good Morning Dave – I wanted to thank you for sharing The LBC’s address to council. It has created many conversations; a good thing. Take Care.

You do great things!

Thank you for you diligent hard work. I always get my local news from your website. You do a GREAT job!

Thanks Dave for the election results.

Thanks, Dave! We appreciate you sharing about “Mix it Up.” Hope all is well!

Thank you. It’s really good news for Loveland and Loveland schools, too.

Hi Dave , My family and I would like to thank you for your compassion and support of our daughter. You have always been such a great supporter and we have never even met. You’re a wonderful person Dave and God Bless you. Thank you so very much.

You’re awesome! I really appreciate your coverage on this and all things Loveland:)

Thanks so much for posting about the Loveland Show at Nisbet park.

You do so much for the Loveland community: keeping council honest, helping the Canoe & Kayak Livery, promoting local charities & schools, just to name a few.

Thanks so much for all you do and know that you are very much appreciated.

Great photo of the lightning strike David!

What a shot! Loveland Magazine never sleeps 🙂

YOU’VE CREATED A BLOODY FIRESTORM…… NEVER SEEN SO MANY COMMENTS.

I really appreciate the light you are shedding on the plight of the Loveland canoe and Kayak folks. I hope that the city does the right thing!

I guess you did your job well, because this article is making me furious. The thing is, if they leave, someone else will find a way to make it work, which eliminates their leverage – even more enraging.

You really made their case in a way that people will feel. I hope city council behaves honorably. ..

Really appreciate this. Thanks so much! Very helpful information.

Nice research and write-up. This is not at all surprising as it is how large scale development gets done these days…some deals are significantly more complex…look where development is “hot” and you’ll see even more increased complexity.

Interesting information about the new apartment development in Loveland. Some secret meetings, closed door agreements, a lot of public funding for a commercial development. Good job Loveland Magazine uncovering this information.

What an incredible spirit! David, you do the work of love.

I love the feature LHS graduation image! These kids and parents are soooooooo lucky to have you cover this and publish it! And love the image with you and Martin Schickel!

You are brilliant.

The work you are doing is wonderful!

This paper is Outstanding!

I wanted to tell you how sorry I am that I can’t go to this year’s talent slam. Our CMH School auction is tonight, too. Damn. Two great event on the same night! I know it will be awesome and I can’t wait for vimeos and pictures from the night.

Have a wonderful evening and know that I really wish I could be there. It is such a fantastic event and it helps to raise awareness for suicide.

Jul 24, 2017