Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: mayor

  • Mary Ann Lynn: Time to end Loveland soap opera

    Mary Ann Lynn: Time to end Loveland soap opera

    And then, like a Friday afternoon bombshell – a plotline that’s been building for months…

    by Mary Ann Lynn

    Like sands through the hourglass… so goes the soap opera that is Loveland City Council. When we last left the city council majority, or the “Fitz Four” (Mayor Fitzgerald and council members Gross, Settell and Zamagias), they had really painted themselves in a corner – stomping out of a city council meeting after just seven minutes to the hearty boos of residents in the audience and subsequent public outcry. How did they get here? For a while, everything was going so well. The majority had the votes to pass anything they wanted. The mayor had padded key committees to further smooth the path. After a while, they didn’t even bother to communicate what they were doing to the council minority (Bailey, Phelps, Weisgerber) because, what was the point, really? 

    But there was this pesky group of “zealots” at every council meeting. They formed a PAC and relentlessly shined the spotlight on wrong doings of the Fitz majority. The broader population of residents started tuning in, paying attention, voicing concerns. Other groups of concerned residents were being formed and getting vocal. Week after week in editorials, meeting after council meeting, residents were speaking out against the lies and conduct of the council majority. Literally NOBODY was showing up to defend the behavior or integrity of the Fitz Four. If you are part of this majority, you need to change the narrative – quickly. Allegations of stalking and much ado over Facebook comments proved ineffective diversions. An obscure proposal for changes to the city’s charter provided some level of distraction – a brief reprieve.

    [quote_right]Could the drama get any higher?[/quote_right]And then, like a Friday afternoon bombshell – a plotline that’s been building for months… Loveland Community Heartbeat PAC delivered to the Board of Elections mayor recall petitions with 2,000+ signatures – more than twice the number of signatures needed. The recall of Mayor Mark Fitzgerald is now all but assured. Four council seats are up for election in November, and the prospects for Fitzgerald, Gross or Zamagias retaining their seats are getting dimmer by the minute. 

    Could the drama get any higher? In the week since the recall petition submission, we have seen highly personal attacks on PAC members and the recall process, and a local business targeted for choosing not to participate in the controversy. Enough. More than 2,000 Loveland residents have spoken. These overly dramatic and sinister plots may make for good daytime drama, but they are being played out to the great detriment of our community. It is time to recast Fitzgerald, Gross and Zamagias.

    Up-dated 7:14 AM 7-25-17

    [Video] Fitzgerald Re-Call Petitions delivered to Elections Board
     

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  • What does Loveland Charter say about electing/recalling Mayor?

    What does Loveland Charter say about electing/recalling Mayor?

    Adopted Charter of the City of Loveland, Ohio

    Adopted November 6, 2001

    ARTICLE II: THE CITY COUNCIL

    SEC. 2.01 NUMBER, SELECTION, TERM.

    Except as reserved to the people by this Charter, the legislative powers of the City shall be vested in a Council of seven (7) members, elected at large, for four-year (4) overlapping terms, with four (4) members to be elected at a scheduled municipal election and three (3) members to be elected at a scheduled municipal election two years thereafter. All elections of Council members shall be on a non-partisan ballot. (11-5-91, 11-6-01)

    SEC. 2.02 QUALIFICATIONS.

    Electors of the City of Loveland meeting the qualifications for member of City Council as set forth in the laws of Ohio shall be eligible to have their names placed on the ballot. A Council member who, during his or her term of office, ceases to meet such qualifications, or who is absent, without excuse by a majority of the other members of Council, from four (4) consecutive regular meetings of the Council, shall automatically vacate his/her office on the Council. (11-5- 91, 11-7-00)

    SEC. 2.03 FILLING OF VACANCIES.

    Vacancies in the office of Council member shall be filled within thirty (30) days by vote of a majority of the remaining members of Council, by the selection of a person qualified as provided in Section 2.02 of this Charter. If Council fails to make a selection to fill such vacancy within thirty (30) days, the Mayor shall forthwith make the appointment. Such person so chosen shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term of the Council member whose vacancy he or she was appointed to fill. (11-5-91, 11-6-01)

    SEC. 2.04 BEGINNING OF TERM OF OFFICE.

    The term of office of Council members shall begin on the first Monday in December following the regular municipal election held the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in the odd- numbered years, or such other election date prescribed by the laws of Ohio. (11-5-91, 11-6-01)

    SEC. 2.05 ORGANIZATION AND MEETINGS.

    Following each municipal election, Council shall meet within five (5) days after the beginning of the term of office of the newly-elected members of Council, for the purpose of organizing. At such meeting, the newly-elected members of Council shall take the oath of office and the Council shall proceed to elect a Mayor and Vice-Mayor and may transact such other business as may come before it. Thereafter, regular meetings shall be held as prescribed in the Council rules, but not less frequently than twice each month. Except as otherwise provided by the laws of Ohio, all meetings of the Council shall be open to the public. A majority of the members elected or appointed shall constitute a quorum at all meetings. (11-5-91, 11-7-00)

    SEC. 2.06 MAYOR AND VICE-MAYOR.

    At its organization meeting, the Council shall elect, from among its own members, one to serve as Mayor and one as Vice-Mayor for a term of two (2) years and until their successors are chosen and qualified. The Mayor shall preside at Council meetings, when present, and shall have a vote on all matters which come before Council, but shall have no power of veto. The Mayor shall be recognized as the head of the municipal government for ceremonial purposes, but shall have no administrative duties. The Mayor shall have the judicial functions of a Mayor under the laws of Ohio until such judicial functions are performed by some other officer appointed or elected for that purpose. The Vice-Mayor shall perform the duties of the Mayor when the Mayor is absent or disabled. (11-5-91, 11-7-00)

    SEC. 2.07 SALARIES.

    The salary of Council members shall be fixed by ordinance. No increase in salary shall ever take effect during the term of the Council members enacting the ordinance.

    The Mayor’s salary shall be fixed by ordinance. The Council may not increase or decrease the salary of the Mayor during his/her term of office.

    The Vice Mayor’s salary shall be fixed by ordinance. Council may not increase or decrease the Vice Mayor’s salary during the Vice Mayor’s term of office. A temporary increase in the Vice Mayor’s salary is allowed if the Vice Mayor is performing the duties of the Mayor. (11-5-91, 11-6-01)

    ARTICLE X. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

    SEC. 10.01 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

    The regular election for the choice of members of the Council shall be held at the general election in the odd-numbered years. This shall be known as the Municipal Election. The Council may, by resolution, order a Special Election at any time, the purpose of which shall be set forth in the resolution. (11-5-91)

    SEC. 10.02 CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS.

    All elections shall be conducted under the provisions of this Charter by the Board of Elections of the respective counties in which the City lies. Where the Charter is silent, the provisions of the laws of Ohio shall be followed. (11-5-91, 11-7-00)

    SEC. 10.03 NOMINATIONS.

    No primary election shall be held for the nomination of candidates for Council. Nominations for the office of Council member shall be made by petition signed by not less than twenty-five (25) nor more than fifty (50) electors of the city. Petitions shall be the standard forms for the nomination of individual non-partisan candidates for such office. Group petitions shall not be used. Petitions shall be filed with the Board of Elections within the time period specified by the Ohio Revised Code. An elector may sign only as many petitions as there are Council members to be elected at the municipal election for which the nominations are made. (11-5-91)

    SEC. 10.04 SPONSORS, ACCEPTANCE, VERIFICATION.

    Each candidate shall have a sponsoring committee of five (5) qualified voters, whose names and addresses shall appear on each copy of the petition. The signature of the candidate indicating acceptance of the nomination and willingness to serve if elected shall appear on each copy of the petition. The petition may be in a number of parts, but each part shall be verified under oath by the circulator, as required by law. (11-5-91)

    SEC. 10.05 BALLOTS.

    The full names of all nominated candidates shall be printed on the official ballot without party designation. The resident addresses of candidates with the same surname, or with names likely to cause confusion, shall be placed below their respective names on the ballot. The names of all candidates shall be rotated on the ballot as provided by the laws of Ohio. (11-5-91, 11-7- 00)

    SEC. 10.06 WRITE-INS.

    Only in the event that fewer candidates are nominated by petition than there are Council members to be elected at the ensuing election, shall space be provided on the ballot for the writing in at the election of the names of additional persons. (11-5-91)

    SEC. l0.07 WATCHERS AND CHALLENGERS.

    At each municipal election, each regularly nominated candidate shall be entitled, on written application to the Board of Elections, at least ten (10) days before the election, to appoint one (1) person and one (1) alternate to represent him/her as a watcher and a challenger at each polling place during the casting and counting of ballots, and one (1) person and one (1) alternate to represent him/her as watcher and challenger during the canvass of votes at the Board of Election. (11-5-91)

    SEC. 10.08 ELECTION.

    The candidates for member of Council at the regular municipal election, equal in number to the places to be filled on Council, who received the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. (11-5-91)

    SEC. 10.09 RECALL.

    Members of Council may be removed from office before the expiration of their terms by the qualified voters of the City. The procedure for such recall shall be that provided by the laws of Ohio. (11-5-91, 11-7-00)

    SEC. 11.01 OATH OF OFFICE.

    Every officer and employee of the City shall, before entering upon his/her duties, take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation, which shall be filed and kept in the office of the Clerk of Council:

    “I, (name), solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Ohio, the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Loveland,

    and will obey the laws thereof, and will faithfully discharge the duties of (______________), upon which I am about to enter.” (11-5-91, 11-6-01)

    SEC. 11.02 OFFICIAL BONDS.

    All officers and employees of the city, whose duties require them to handle municipal and other public money or property, may be required by Council to furnish a corporate bond issued by a company authorized to do business in Ohio, to protect the City against loss due to their acts. The amount of the bond in each case shall be determined by Council and the premium on such bonds shall be paid from the funds of the city. All such bonds shall be filed with the Clerk of Council. (11-5-91)

    SEC. 11.03 PERSONAL INTEREST.

    No member of the Council or any officer or employee of the City shall have any financial interest, direct or indirect, in any contract with or sale to the City of any materials, supplies, or services, or any land or interest in land. A person who knowingly and willfully violates this section shall be guilty of malfeasance in office and upon conviction thereof, shall be removed from office. Any contract or agreement made in violation of this section shall be violable at the election of the Council. (11-5-91)

    SEC. 11.04 REMOVAL FROM OFFICE — DISQUALIFICATION.

    Whenever, in this Charter, certain acts on the part of City officials are described as constituting malfeasance in office, the procedure for complaint, trial and judgment thereon shall be that prescribed by the laws of Ohio. (11-5-91, 11-7-01)

    READ THE FULL CHARTER OF THE CITY OF LOVELAND

    ALSO READ THESE RELATED STORIES:

    What you should know about recall elections

    [Video] Fitzgerald Re-Call Petitions delivered to Elections Board

    Who is running for School Board and Council? – Other Election News

    Here’s what Vice-Mayor Settle didn’t want you to know

    [Exclusive Video] Oury will run to replace Fitzgerald in recall election

    [Exclusive Video] “We will rise!” – Shouting matches erupt at council meeting

    Mark Fitzgerald is Loveland’s new Mayor by secret ballot

     

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  • [Video] Fitzgerald Re-Call Petitions delivered to Elections Board

    [Video] Fitzgerald Re-Call Petitions delivered to Elections Board

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – Mayor Mark Fitzgerald’s Council term does not end until December 2, 2019, however about 2,054 signatures on a recall petition were delivered today to the Hamilton County Board of [quote_box_right]Loveland Recall History

    Former Councilmember Todd Osborne said, “The last recall, the only recall, was in 1984. The city had sued HUD over Loveland Pines apartment complex. City council voted to end the lawsuit the day before the ruling, after spending $35,000. A recall petition went out and was certified by the Board of Election. The majority of Council was under recall. Ron Binegar, Roland Boike, John Munnis and John Banks. Binegar resigned but after the five day window. There was a lawsuit, which the petitioners won on appeal. Council had to establish an election date, which they refused to do for several meetings, including walking out without an adjournment. They had a special meeting at 7:25 AM to name the date. All three incumbents retained their seat.[/quote_box_right]Elections to end his term two years early. Members of the Loveland Community Heartbeat PAC (Political Action Committee) (LCHPAC) said the number of signatures is about twice the number of signatures required to get the recall initiative on the ballot this November.

    In a press release issued last night, LCHPAC representative Halie Rebeccaschild said, “This has been a difficult time for Loveland residents. Walking every neighborhood in Loveland to collect signatures, we have seen firsthand not only the level of distrust and disappointment throughout the community but also the high level of awareness and engagement among Loveland residents.”

    According to Sherry Poland, the Director of the Hamilton County Board of Elections, now that the petitions have been delivered, the Board will begin the process of verifying signatures. She said today that she is not yet positive of the total number of signatures that are required, but the process of determining the number will also begin. The City of Loveland is in three counties, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren, and LCHPAC will need the signatures equal to 15% of the ballots cast in all three counties at the last Loveland Council election in 2015.

    Poland said that if there are sufficient signatures, Fitzgerald will be notified and given five days to either resign his office or face the recall on November 7. She added that if Fitzgerald does resign, then the recall will not be on the Ballot.

    If Fitzgerald does resign, council vacancies are filled by a majority of the six remaining Council members. If Council could not agree on a replacement, then Vice-Mayor Angie Settell, who would become Mayor, could appoint Fitzgerald’s replacement unilaterally. The new Councilmember would then have to run in November to retain their seat. Currently the seats of incumbents Pam Gross, Ted Phelps, Robert Weisgerber, and Stephen Zamagias will be on the ballot this fall. Fitzgerald’s resignation may open up a fifth open seat. A successful recall petition will also open up a fifth seat, but one that would be a head-to-head race against Fitzgerald. (Pleas see correction to this paragraph below.)*

    If Fitzgerald does not resign, his name will appear on the fall ballot next to the name of anyone who petitions the Board to run against him. Resident Neal Oury has been calling for Fitzgerald’s resignation for several months and is currently collecting signatures to run head-to-head against the Mayor.

    Fitzgerald has not acknowledged or responded to emails sent to his City and personal email accounts asking for comment. Fitzgerald was asked for his reaction of the petitions being delivered and of the recall effort in general. He was also asked if he would comment on any specific allegations made against him during the PAC’s signature gathering.

    Fitzgerald was also asked if he sees the possibility of legal challenges to the recall petition, or the recall being on the November ballot. He did not respond.

    Oury has already gathered more than 1,500 signatures and said he will wait to see the outcome of today’s petition submission before he will bring his own to the Board of Elections.

    (This story was up-dated at 6:32 AM 7-22-17)

    *CORRECTION: 

    Adopted Charter of the City of Loveland, Ohio

    SEC. 2.03 FILLING OF VACANCIES.

    Vacancies in the office of Council member shall be filled within thirty (30) days by vote of a majority of the remaining members of Council, by the selection of a person qualified as provided in Section 2.02 of this Charter. If Council fails to make a selection to fill such vacancy within thirty (30) days, the Mayor shall forthwith make the appointment. Such person so chosen shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term of the Council member whose vacancy he or she was appointed to fill. (11-5-91, 11-6-01)

     

    See also: 

    Who is running for School Board and Council?

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  • [Exclusive Video] Council Majority shuts down meeting and goes home

    [Exclusive Video] Council Majority shuts down meeting and goes home

    Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Magazine was live last night, and the only local media outlet to cover the Loveland Council meeting. Before City business was discussed, Mayor Fitzgerald read a statement accusing Councilmember Rob Weisgerber of condoning violence towards Councilmember Pam Gross. Weisgerber tried to respond, but the meeting was abruptly adjourned and the microphone turned off, with votes by Fitzgerald, Gross, Angie Settell, and Steve Zamagias.

    Weisgerber, Kathy Bailey, and Ted Phelps voted to continue the business meeting.

    The result was also that residents who say they had hard hitting statements they wanted to make during the open forum, were also not heard last night.

    Bailey, who voted against the adjournment said afterward that she believed the adjournment was rehearsed and scripted by those who voted for it. You can see her interview at the end of the live-stream. Fitzgerald, Gross, Settell, and Zamagias had left the meeting room, so were not available for any rebuttal to Bailey’s allegation of a scripted shut-down of the meeting.

    The live-stream continued to run after the “majority” council members had left the room, and you can watch as Weisgerber addresses the audience and the charges made about him by the Mayor.

    You can go to the end of the live-stream to see the interview with Bailey.

    Here is the social media post that Fitzgerald said was left on Weisgerber’s Facebook page and therefore condones violence towards Gross:

    Rob Weisgerber

    June 21 at 9:50pm ·

    To all my friends out there and especially for those who have spoken out against Mark Fitzgerald and Pam Gross on Loveland City Council. Pam Gross today submitted 9 separate public documents requests for all emails and documents between me and a host of private citizens. The magnitude of the list of names is very disturbing. She had also made the same request of Ted Phelps and Kathy Bailey included in those 9 requests.

    I will be clear that her request looks to be so broad and ill defined that no one can respond. Legal council now has to be involved to resolve. Pam is costing you the residents of Loveland by wasting your tax dollars on petty requests.

    The depth Pam Gross is willing to stoop to for her campaign is embarrassing

    (Name Redacted by Loveland Magazine) You dont have to give her anything. Thats a violation. Does she have a subpeona? She can request all day long. Lol who does she think she is? Trying to pull another fast one with intimidation. She nerds a good old fashion loveland ass kicking 80s style lol.

    Bailey said there was important City business on the Council agenda last night. In protest, some members of the audience crumpled or ripped in half, the meeting agenda.

    EDITOR’S NOTE: Loveland Magazine sent an email this morning to the Councilmembers who voted to shut down the meeting asking for their response regarding Kathy Bailey’s accusation last night that the abrupt closing down of the council meeting was pre-planned.

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  • Who is running for School Board and Council? – Other Election News

    Who is running for School Board and Council? – Other Election News

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This story will be continuously up-dated as election news is published.

      

    Council hopeful Andy Bateman’s Candidate Statement

    Kent Blair launches Loveland council campaign featuring resident engagement platform

    [BREAKING] Board of Elections gives Loveland Mayor 5 days to resign…

    Ned Portune is a candidate for the Loveland School Board of Education

    [VIDEO] Interview with Halie Rebeccaschild after turning in Fitzgerald recall petitions for 2nd time.

    Three candidates officially file for Council and School Board seats

    [Video] Fitzgerald Re-Call Petitions delivered to Elections Board
    Secretary Husted certifies signatures for Marsy’s Law ballot initiative
    What you should know about recall elections
    What does Loveland Charter say about electing/recalling Mayor?
    Here’s what Vice-Mayor Settle didn’t want you to know
    [Exclusive Video] Oury will run to replace Fitzgerald in recall election
    Mark Fitzgerald is Loveland’s new Mayor by secret ballot
    [Exclusive Video] “We will rise!” – Shouting matches erupt at council meeting
    Mark Fitzgerald is Loveland’s new Mayor by secret ballot

    Loveland, Ohio – As of Friday, July 24, according to the Hamilton County Board of Elections, the following have picked up petition packets to run for Loveland Council, however, none have submitted their petitions to the Board.

    No one has picked up petition packets to run for Loveland School Board.

    Loveland Council 

    Todd Osborne

    Arthur E. (Ted) Phelps, Jr.

    Pamela Gross

    Dave Heimbach, the Administrative Associate at the Hamilton County Board said on Friday, “Loveland Council and Loveland School Board have not had any petition filings, to date. There could be others, not on our list, circulating petitions. The deadline for Loveland Council and Loveland School Board petition filings is August 9 at 4 PM”

    Loveland School Board Open Seats (3 to be elected – 4 year term)

    Dave Blumberg – Term Expires 12/31/17

    Tim Taggart – Appointed to the Board in 2017 to fill the remainder of term vacated by Linda Pennington, Term Expires 12/31/17

    Michele Pettit – Term Expires 12/31/17

    Open Loveland Council Seats (4 to be elected – 4 year term)

    Pam Gross – Term Ends: 12/04/2017

    Ted Phelps – Term Ends: 12/04/2017

    Robert Weisgerber – Term Ends: 12/04/2017

    Stephen Zamagias – Term Ends: 12/04/2017

    Loveland resident, Neil Oury is currently circulating petitions for a re-call of Loveland Mayor, Mark Fitzgerald. If Oury’s petition drive is successful, he will ask voters in November to give him the remainder of Fitzgerald’s term which expires 12/02/2019. ([Video] Fitzgerald Re-Call Petitions delivered to Elections Board)

    Loveland Magazine has sent an email to all of these potential candidates, asking if they plan on running.

    UP-DATE:

    Loveland School Board member, Michele Pettit replied, “I will be running again this fall. Since I have been out of town I will be picking up my packet next week.”

    Loveland Councilmember Rob Weisgerber replied, “Yes I do.”

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  • Elizabeth Blust to Mayor Fitzgerald: I don’t give you permission to bulldoze City Hall

    Elizabeth Blust to Mayor Fitzgerald: I don’t give you permission to bulldoze City Hall

     

    [quote_box_left]

    EDITOR’S NOTE: Please excuse the quality of our recent video work from the Loveland City Hall council chamber. After the City recently hired a Public Information Officer (PIO), 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)

    [/quote_box_left]

     

    Loveland, Ohio – Resident Elizabeth Blust spoke at the May 23 Council meeting. She said she only recently became more aware of City politics. The talked about her ethical concerns surrounding activities at City Hall and finished by saying she did not give Mayor Mark Fitzgerald permission to bulldoze the municipal building.

    Blust challenged Fitzgerald to send her a “Spoliation Warning” letter like he sent to other residents.

     

     

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  • [LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV] Russ Dolezal tells Council, “Woman take it slow.”

    [LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV] Russ Dolezal tells Council, “Woman take it slow.”

    [quote_box_left]

    EDITOR’S NOTE: Please excuse the quality of our recent video work from the Loveland City Hall council chamber. After the City recently hired a Public Information Officer (PIO), 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)

    [/quote_box_left]

    Loveland, Ohio – Russ Dolezal recently went to a Loveland Council meeting. He has lived in Loveland for ten years, but before moving here he lived in Blue Ash and was part of putting on the first Taste of Blue Ash. He talked about how Blue Ash planned their developments carefully and slowed down long enough so the public could be involved and guide the process. He said, “There was a lot of patience involved.”

    Dolezal said Blue Ash showed patience in their process to construct a new municipal building and recreation center. and concluded his remarks by quoting W. Axl Rose, “Said woman take it slow, and it’ll work itself out fine All we need is just a little patience.”

     

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  • [EDITORIAL] Council and City staff must curb Mayor Fitzgerald’s reign of error

    [EDITORIAL] Council and City staff must curb Mayor Fitzgerald’s reign of error

    by Loveland Magazine Publisher, David Miller

     

    Mayor Mark Fitzgerald announced at the beginning of the May 23 Council meeting that he has instituted a “zero tolerance policy” towards whispering or passing documents during meetings. The Mayor in recent months has used his gavel indiscriminately and in a random manner to quiet the audience attending meetings. He routinely warns them against applauding what their fellow citizen’s say during the open forum portion of meetings. Lately, he has warned citizens he will use the police force to remove anyone who disrupts the meetings

    Less than five minutes later, when Councilwoman, Pam Gross walked to the same podium the public uses, he allows, and joins, in applauding Gross’ presentation. Then, seconds later, when resident, Mike Meldon followed Gross to the same podium, and the audience applauded Meldon’s comments about how important the environment was to the community, the Mayor said he was issuing his final warning about applause and he will be asking the police to remove anyone who, “Disrespects that request.”

    The Mayor was speaking on behalf of all of Council. None objected to the policy. There are two other people sitting at the council table who also remained silent, Dave Kennedy, the City Manager and Joe Braun, the City lawyer. These are the two professionals Council hires to keep them out of trouble. Professionals, who have been hired based on their knowledge and expertise of the law and how a municipality operates within the laws of Loveland’s Charter, the Ohio Constitution, the Ohio Revised Code, and the Constitution of the United States.

    [quote_box_left]No matter, Fitzgerald needs counsel now, and there are nine people who have a sworn duty to deliver it to him, because, sitting on your hands is equivalent to sitting on the Constitution.[/quote_box_left]In addition, the Loveland Police Chief is almost always in the room, another professional the City has hired to protect citizen’s rights.

    Nine people who are sworn to protect our citizens have sat silent and not objected while the Mayor, at random whim, takes away the public’s right to free speech, and threatens to use the “color” of the police department for enforcement.

    See below just recent examples of how Fitzgerald shows favor to certain subjects and individuals and bullies other silent.

    If in his randomness, Fitzgerald continues, or heaven forbid has someone removed from the room or arrested, he will have hoed himself and taxpayers a deep, deep furrow because of his discrimination. He will certainly lose in court, and it will be taxpayers paying the bills.

    Fitzgerald’s discriminatory, gavel is causing turmoil in our community and doing harm to the Community’s reputation.

    Perhaps there are three “majority” members of Council who are afraid that if they cross the Mayor they will be treated to the same wrath and scolding, but that is not an adequate excuse. Perhaps the other three “minority” members of Council are sitting on their hands, thinking ahead to election time, letting the Mayor dig his deeper furrow.

    No matter, Fitzgerald needs counsel now, and there are nine people who have a sworn duty to deliver it to him, because, sitting on your hands is equivalent to sitting on the Constitution.

    In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video, you will see clips of the Mayor indiscriminately enforcing his rule against applause within about ten minutes of issuing his warning. He allows applause when fellow council member Pam Gross takes the podium, and himself is seen applauding, but gives the audience a final warning when the next speaker, a resident, speaks about the importance of Loveland’s environment.

    In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video, you will see other clips of the Mayor indiscriminately enforcing his rules. In one clip from several meetings ago you will see Fitzgerald telling resident Tom Calarco to turn around and speak to Council and not the public. Calarco had only turned his head, looking to see if there were any police officers in the room, whom he had just complimented. In the next clip, you will see Fitzgerald allowing Councilwoman Gross to rearrange the microphone on the podium so she could stand behind the podium, and address the audience with her back to the rest of Council.

     

  • [VIDEO] Mayor announces Zero Tolerance Policy: No whispering or passing papers during meetings

    [VIDEO] Mayor announces Zero Tolerance Policy: No whispering or passing papers during meetings

    Loveland, Ohio – Mayor Mark Fitzgerald announced at the beginning of the May 23 Council meeting that he has instituted a “Zero tolerance policy” towards the public’s whispering or passing documents among themselves during meetings. He said it was because it was intentionally, “Preventing the audience from hearing or knowing the business of the body discussed.”

    He further stated that a disruptive person waives their right to attend council meetings and the Council can remove the person from the meeting.

    The Mayor was speaking on behalf of all of Council. None objected to the policy.

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  • Powers and Smith urge more, not less, public input into tearing down City Hall

    Powers and Smith urge more, not less, public input into tearing down City Hall

    Loveland, Ohio – Diane Powers and Steven Smith took to the open forum podium at the May 9th Council meeting and both played out how they would like council member to proceed with the possible tearing down of City Hall and replacing it with a four-story commercial building in Historic Downtown. The plan is for City Hall to occupy the second floor, with retail on the bottom and apartments on the top two floors.

    Community Improvement Corporation President, Jay Stewart had just completed a presentation with their recommendations. Council members had also just voted down two attempts to hold sessions to receive input on the plan (Council can’t agree on when the public gets the chance to weigh-in on replacing City Hall).

    This memorandum is the Community Improvement Corporation’s (CIC) update to City Council regarding their recommendations and options for build a new City Hall. This recommendation was presented to City Council at their meeting on May, 9. City Council was expected to vote on setting a date and time for public hearings on the recommendation, but could not reach consensus on how the meetings should be conducted, or how many meetings to have.

    For Background: [Exclusive Video] How new City Hall project will be rolled out to the public

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