The Marting’s City Center Issue
By: Kevin Johnson

Political pundits often compare politics to sports… or, more often, blood sport. There is always a winner and always a loser in sports. And, in blood sport it’s not just hurt feelings or ruined relationships…, lives are often lost.

Just as in sports, political winners normally gain advantage and losers seek solace from their compatriots. And as in blood sport, political jousts often end with relationships torn asunder and often irreparably damaged.

So who were the winners and losers in the Marting’s City Center vote on November 4, 2008?

Let us first look at the final vote. The Official Results show that the Marting’s City Center issue lost by 57.63% to 42.37%, and 64.1% of Portsmouth voters participated. This was a major defeat, especially by comparison to other elections.

Marting’s City Center 57.63% No
John McCain 51.93%
Richard Cordray 57.54%
Victoria Wulsin 57.40%
Charlie Wilson 56.50%
Tom Niehaus 47.92%
Tom Reiser 54.67%
Mike Crabtree 55.94%
Scioto T.B. Clinic 56.93% Yes

Next, let us consider the losers. I find there are four categories of losers: Embarrassed Losers, Big Losers, Very Big Losers and Ultimate Losers.

Embarrassed Losers: Bottom line, Progress Portsmouth pulled together quite a roster of big name endorsements and endorsers. And, had the issue been related to practically anything but Marting’s, this coalition might have found a voice for Portsmouth. As it was, however, Progress Portsmouth was faced with the unenviable task of putting lipstick on a pig. Perhaps a better analogy would be; they tried to put a small band-aid on a huge, open festering sore. And what they did not seem to understand was that the issue was not just Marting’s. The real issue was whether the voters of Portsmouth trust their city government. Until Progress Portsmouth deals with how our city is run, and works to regain some trust, no progress is attainable.

So, who are the embarrassed losers? They are U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown and George Voinovich, Assemblyman Todd Book, the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Portsmouth, Portsmouth Area Ladies, Glockner Enterprises, Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Firefighters #512, Scioto County Bar Association and the Scioto County Republican Party. And why the term “embarrassed loser”? Because these individuals and groups were provided, and they accepted, a bill of goods not based on reality, history or context.

The Big Losers are the Southern Ohio Growth Partnership and their wholly owned subsidiaries, Leadership Portsmouth and the Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Portsmouth Area Arts Council and Main Street Portsmouth (two groups Portsmouth desperately needs to help succeed for the benefit of our city’s future). These non-profits depend upon community and business support but none appeared to have polled their memberships or asked any questions whatsoever concerning the Marting’s City Center proposal. Consequently, their reputations have suffered – except for SOGP. Its reputation has already been established.

As for the Very Big Losers, they are the Shawnee District Labor Council (AFL-CIO), Austin Keyser, the Portsmouth Daily Times, the Richard D. Marting Foundation, Terry Ockerman, Victoria Wulsin, City Solicitor Mike Jones, City Auditor Trent Williams, Mayor Jim Kalb, and Council members Howard Baughman and Mike Mearan. The unions, via Austin Keyser, put their reputations behind and big money into the Marting’s effort as well as towards Victoria Wulsin’s run for Congress. Vic’s vote, for example, was 5.5 points less in Scioto County than what she received two years ago. City Solicitor Mike Jones made this issue the centerpiece of his new term in office and the other elected officials once again failed to realize (or accept) the reality of “the Marting’s curse.” Mr. Ockerman simply burned bridges. The Marting Foundation continues to face public distrust. And the Portsmouth Daily Times suffered even more real damage to its editorial and news reputation. It has perhaps become politically irrelevant.

Finally, the ultimate losers – the citizens of Portsmouth. The voters have had to twice tell the City of Portsmouth that its proposals for utilizing Marting’s were not acceptable – a view held by voters of its original purchase. We yet need a new City Hall but are years away from a viable, fiscally sound solution. And our City leaders still don’t know how to run our government or listen to its citizens. Yes, we citizens of Portsmouth are the ultimate loser in this blood sport called politics.

So, you might be asking by now, who were the winners in this latest of political games?

The answer: no one.

Absolutely, unequivocally… no one!

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Oddz & Endz
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Few were surprised to read that Howard Baughman, President of the City Council, had resigned after the last meeting. After some 160 signatures had been submitted for his recall, resigning was perhaps the safest option. It allows him to run for office again in the future. Some bemoan the recall process, stating it punishes office holders for an opinion. I don’t think this was the case here. Mr. Baughman, a truly nice person, ran City Council as if information and the public were enemies. He convinced the majority of council to not allow three readings on a 440% increase in property taxes to pay for a Fire Truck in May; thus not allowing discussion or inquiries over a three reading period. He did the same with a $12 million amendment to the Marting’s City Center ballot initiative. And at this last meeting, no mention was made as to where the money was to come from to pay for salary increases or new fire equipment – all this while other cities, including Columbus and Ironton, are having to cut salaries, equipment purchases and various services to balance their budgets. One might think that the City of Portsmouth’s coffers must be overflowing… but, I’ll bet another tax increase is on its way to pay for these un-budgeted and un-certified expenditures.

For those of you who love to watch A Miracle on 34th Street, remember the rivalry between the Macy’s and Gimbels department stores? Well, the history of Christmas parades featuring Santa and a host of other personalities relates to a business need. These parades were created to kick off the Christmas shopping holiday and their routes were down main streets where main street businesses would decorate and welcome shoppers into their stores to shop or at least to get ideas.

So, given this history and business need, take a look at last Thursday’s Portsmouth Christmas Parade at http://com2.runboard.com/bccgforum.f1.t1427. Where are the people lining the streets? Where are the businesses? Of course, Portsmouth is different. When we first opened The Emporium at Portsmouth, the parade came through Second Street and down Chillicothe Street. Many of us decorated, stayed open late and everyone enjoyed the Christmas season kickoff and we enjoyed some nice sales. But this year we didn’t even bother to open on Thursday at all. The parade route now bypasses the downtown and its businesses because, who needs downtown business anyway? They might as well parade around or inside Spartan Stadium next year. Might get a bigger crowd.

For the citizens of Portsmouth JUSTICE was not part of the Decision and Judgment filed November 19th, 2008 with the Scioto County Clerk of Courts by the 4th District Circuit Court. This Decision and Judgment should have interrelated back to City Council’s violations of the Sunshine Laws when they purchased the Marting Building during Executive Sessions cutoff from the public, the Portsmouth City Charter does not allow Executive Sessions not open to the public, and in round-robin sessions that were conspired to conceal the intent of Portsmouth City Council to swindle the citizens, the taxpayers, of Portsmouth.

The actual issues, violations of the Sunshine laws, presented in the initial case were considered MOOT by the 4th District Circuit Court’s Decision and Judgment.  The decision filed by the 4th District Circuit Court on November 19th avoided the real issues by ruling strictly on a potential technicality instead of the merits of the case.

The 4th District Circuit Court Decision and Judgment (See Below) is best described in the text of the ruling on page 3 “Facts” footnote, ‘To describe this case a “procedural morass” is a vast understatement. Accordingly, we apologize for the opinion’s lack of both brevity and clarity. However, knowledge of the facts surrounding the previous proceedings is necessary to understand the basis for our decision here.’ Why, after almost 5 months since the hearing, does this opinion provide a lack of brevity and clarity? Why, would a higher court allow such an injustice to the citizens of Portsmouth, Ohio?

I just have to say I am very disappointed in our higher legal system, 4th District Circuit Court, if this is their normal standard.   Judge Marshall heard the real issues involved in the case, Sunshine Law violations, and ruled by the law and against the illegal acts.  All Bob and I want is justice to be served on the original intent of our initial injunction, which is the Violation of the Sunshine Laws and the use of Executive Sessions by City Council. To us these issues are not MOOT as stated by the 4th District Circuit Court!!! I hope through the Ohio Supreme Court JUSTICE will be served for the citizens of Portsmouth, Ohio.

Thanks for everyone’s support and encouragement.

Teresa

CLICK: 11-19-08 Decision and Judgment Entry

Thank You

Finally the “silent majority” has taken a stand against the “vocal few” . I appreciate the citizens that have stepped up to the plate in an effort to move our city in a forward moving direction.

Mike

I copied the above quote from a website Progress Portsmouth. I am assuming the Mike who signed the above statement is Mike Gampp. Mike Gampp is employed by American Savings Bank, which is the same bank that gave a local radio station announcer, Steve Hayes, Bob and my banking business. In today’s times and the growing “Identity Fraud” cases one has to speculate whether doing business with American Savings Bank is a wise decision!!!!!!!!! — Think before you choose American Savings Bank – I know I will not be banking there anytime in the near future and I warn all my family, friends and co-workers about doing business with American Savings Bank.

Now back to why I really posted this quote by Mike. I hope now these unelected leaders of our community realize there may be a few of us outspoken people trying to do the right things, but there is a silent majority that are now informed voters and have been educated about the lies that are being told by the Portsmouth Daily Times, the Community Common, WNXT Radio, Progress Portsmouth (Terry Ockerman &Mike Gampp), the Chamber of Commerce (SOGP), the Portsmouth Area Arts Council (DeLynn Coppoletti), and Main Street Portsmouth (Craig DeAtley, Pres); documented by the November 4th, 2008 VOTE.

My suggestion is for the community to come together as one and do what is best for the community and not just a select few that have been satisfied at the cost of the majority of taxpayers.

• The city does not need to be a developer.
• The city needs to find a suitable home for city office, even if that means staying where we are.
• The city needs to market the Marting Building, the Adelphia Building, the Marting Annex, and any other buildings that the city possesses and are not being utilized.
• The city needs to downsize not increase their expenses in city housing.
• The city needs to look at the abatement program and revamp – potentially eliminate most abatement that are not meeting the intent of the program, and establish a committee to evaluate any further abatements.

Just to name a few.

This is a start let’s do the right things for the community!!!!!!!!

Teresa

Against 57.91%   Votes 4160
For         42.90%   Votes 3024

607 Chillicothe Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662-4023
November 4, 2008

A Better Government Coalition
political action committee

PRESS RELEASE

Better Government Coalition Thanks
the Voters of Portsmouth

The voters of Portsmouth have once again spoken loud and clear.

In defeating the Marting’s Building City Hall/Retail Mall proposal, voters of Portsmouth, for the second time in less than two years, have made their voices heard; this time saying, in effect, “Retail development of the Marting’s Building is not the responsibility of Portsmouth taxpayers.”

The coalition lined up to support taxpayer responsibility for the future of the Marting’s Building was impressive. The Chamber of Commerce, Progress Portsmouth, Portsmouth Daily Times, various non-profits, Labor organizations, elected officials, candidates, the Republican Party… all lined up to tell Portsmouth what is good for us. It is, however, evident they did not listen to or acknowledge the opinion of those who pay the bills – voting residents of Portsmouth.

“I sincerely believe that voters today sent a message – loud and clear. That message is – include us, the people, in decision making,” observed Larry Essman, treasurer of A Better Government Coalition. “With limited resources, we as a City need to be smart with our tax and budgetary policies and, to be smart, we need to have open discussions regarding all options and come to consensus agreement on a direction for progress.”

Better Government chairman, Paul Johnson, stated that, “It is our goal to provide citizen input into the process of revitalizing Portsmouth and developing a permanent foundation for real, across the board progress. This can be done only by exercising transparency in the operation of our City government.”

“Though outspent by a great margin,” Better Government political adviser Kevin Johnson noted, “our many volunteers – who spent hours labeling and stamping postcards and, with others, contributed money and stamps to get our message out – are responsible, along with knowledgeable Portsmouth voters, for this successful effort.”

Johnson also noted that, “A Better Government Coalition is committed to progress in Portsmouth by encouraging and supporting a lawful, well designed and open planning process, encouraging open debate concerning the options available to us, requiring a unified tax and expenditures policy, and always expecting, as a matter of course, total transparency in the decision-making and management process exercised by our City government.”

A Better Government Coalition looks forward to working with Progress Portsmouth and others in developing a viable use for the Marting’s Building and, in the near future, supporting and recommending ways by which we can control costs, plan for the future and encourage more citizens to participate in the management of our City.