MARTY MOHR FINED….FOR VIOLATIONS “MAIN STREET PROGRAM” WANTS HANDOUT FROM CITY…. SOLICITOR DAVID KUHN REPORTS ON MARTING “DEAL” ….. COURT OF APPEALS REJECTS APPEAL BY CITY COUNCIL ….. Written and posted by Austin Leedom at 2:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2005. Monday night’s City Council meeting began with a disciplinary hearing against Sixth Ward Councilman Marty Mohr for calling members of the audience “pieces of crap,” for provoking other councilmen into loud replies and for threatening to remove a news photographer’s teeth. Fellow councilmen decided to fine Mr. Mohr $100.00 (money will be paid to a charity chosen by Councilman Mohr; fine will be paid to the City Treasury and City Auditor will send a check to the charity.) Mohr admitted difficulty with self- control and at the close of the meeting apologized for past actions and words. Some of the members of the audience applauded the Council action and Mr. Mohr’s acceptance of the decision by his fellow council members. A member of a local radio station appeared before Council to promote a new plan called “Main Street” for development of downtown Portsmouth. The “Main Street” group is seeking money from the City to help put their plan into action. A resolution to assist “Main Street” passed the first reading by the council. Nothing was finalized on a proposal for a new tax levy for Flood Defense to be put on the November ballot for a vote by citizens. Councilman Bob Mollette said there is now $690,000 in the account; he wants more information on expenditures to ascertain if the proposal will provide sufficient money, or not enough money. Expect more discussion on this item next meeting. Council President Howard Baughman still has difficulty recognizing citizens’ right to speak; he repeatedly gaveled down a young lady who contested his actions; she called Baughman’s decree, “violating my First Amendment Rights.” The lady continued to assert her right to speak until Mr. Baughman asked the police to intervene. After a brief talk with the police and a few more words to the Council she finally relinquished the speaker’s stand and retired to a seat in the audience. Four of the councilmen may be recalled in the next election. Signatures on petitions for the recalls are now being gathered. The main complaints against these councilmen are support of new taxes proposed by the Mayor and support of Mayor Kalb’s continued efforts to spend huge sums of money to renovate the Martings Building. Facing recall are Marty Mohr, Sixth Ward, Howard Baughman, Fifth Ward, Jerrold Albrecht, Fourth Ward, and David Malone, Second Ward. The Mayor has repeatedly asserted his determination to go ahead with plans for the Martings Building; he has acknowledged that citizens would vote against the Martings Building if given an opportunity, but said he has made up his mind not to allow any vote by citizens. TheMayor has plans to renovate the Martings Building, no matter what the citizens want. Costs may run as high as $12.5 Million and will be paid by additional real estate taxes. Concerning the Martings litigation, Solicitor David Kuhn reported that the Fourth District Court of Appeals, on Tuesday, July 19, 2005, had returned the case to Common Pleas Court Judge William T. Marshall . The Judge ruled the purchase of the Marting Building in May, 2002 was illegal because of violations of the “Sunshine Law” by the City Council. The Court of Appeals agreed with this ruling. Judge Marshall handed down his ruling in November, 2004 and ordered that the sale was null and void; he also ordered the Martings Building be returned to the Martings Brothers and placed a lien of $2 Million against the building in favor of the City. He also ordered that the deed and title to the building be reversed and ordered the records in the proper Courthouse Offices to be changed. Costs of the case and the attorney’s fees for the winning attorney, Joe Griffith of Lancaster, Ohio had not been paid as City Solicitor David Kuhn had contested paying the amount claimed by Attorney Griffith; a hearing was to be held to decide what amount would be paid by the City to Mr. Griffith. The City filed an appeal to the Fourth District Court of Appeals in December, 2004. This decision to make the appeal occurred in December, 2004 on the night Councilman Marty Mohr, at a regular council meeting, announced that he had secretly met with Clay Johnson/Martings Brothers, and had made a “deal.” According to Councilman Mohr, Johnson, who had defrauded the City in the sale of the overpriced building, had offered to return $1.4 Million and to also return the building to the City. Councilman Mohr recommended “emergency” legislation to appropriate money to pay an out-of-town lawyer $1,000 to begin an appeal. Mayor Jim Kalb also admitted that he also had been in secret conference with Clay Johnson. Kalb and Council President were in favor of Clay Johnson’s deal and the Council passed “emergency’ legislation to begin the appeal. The Court of Appeals returned the suit to Scioto County Common Pleas Court and noted that the attorney fees had not been paid and a request by the Plaintiffs for a mandamus action and an injunction had not been decided. The Appeals Court indicated that they did not want to hear an appeal on only part of the issues in the suit and returned the case to Judge William Marshall for finalization of all items. The City Council of Portsmouth, in their haste, apparently has wasted our money on this attempt to reverse the Court ruling. It is estimated that, after holding hearings on the attorney fees and other issues, the Common Pleas Court may issue a further ruling sometime before the end of this year. Written and posted by Austin Leedom at 2:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 2005 Council consideration of Mohrs unruly, and corrupt actions has been removed from Agenda for tonights meeting. Mayor Kalb is following Clay Johnsons orders in this matter, it is believed, as Councilman Mohr is also known to be in Johnsons pocket with plans to renovate the Martings building. Clay Johnson needs to keep Mohr on the City Council to vote for Johnsons plans of further personal enrichment. Petitions were filed for Mohrs recall at 9:30 a.m., July 22, 2005, SIXTH WARD CITIZENS WANT A CHANGE, THEY HAVE HAD ENOUGH. Written and posted by Austin Leedom at 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2005. One Hundred and Ninety-Six (196) Sixth Ward residents signed petitions for the removal of MARTY MOHR from the City Council. Mr. Mohr was elected in November 2003; he had no opponent in that race. He took office in January, 2004. During the first eleven months of 2004 Mohr appeared to be a reasonable man; he did come to council meetings better prepared than most others and did question and explore issues before the council in a sensible, mature manner. But, after publicly announcing, in December, 2004 that he had “made a deal” with Clay Johnson (SOGP/Martings Brothers) Mr. Mohr has repeatedly performed with an arrogant, unreasonable, bullying attitude in Council, Councilman Marty Mohr has: 1. used the safety of his Council seat to tyrannically abuse members of the audience with offensive language, on one occasion he called the citizens sitting in the two front rows, “pieces of crap,” 2. met in secret, unlawful meetings with other members of the Council who support Clay Johnson (Martings Foundation, SOGP) and Mayor Jim Kalb who favor spending a great wealth of money to renovate the old, department store, 3. secretly planned, along with some other councilmen, to eliminate the public from speaking during meetings about any items not on the agenda. 4. attempted publicly, during a meeting, to deny citizens the right to speak on items not on the agenda. When Mohr’s attempt to stifle the citizens’ right to speak was questioned during a council meeting, Mohr angrily shouted, “You people have used up all your rights.” Mohr then expelled the citizen from the meeting room. 5. publicly, following a council meeting, threatened bodily damage to a local videographer who video-recorded one of the unlawful meetings in a backroom. 6. during a Council session, attempted to keep a fellow Councilman from revealing history of past violations by Council that have caused severe damage to the City and the Citizens of Portsmouth. 7. according to citizens of his 6th Ward, failed to respond to requests for assistance in difficulties occurring in his ward that have caused affliction and damage to citizens of the 6th Ward. Because the above stated reasons, and other actions, Councilman Marty Mohr has been found to be undesirable to the Citizens of the Sixth Ward to continue as their councilman. Recall election for Mr. Mohr will be held along with the regular November election; there are no extra costs to the City. Written and posted by Austin Leedom at 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2005. Moes Forum FOR VIDEOS OF CORRUPT COUNCILMEN - News video reporter has asked for criminal charges against Sixth Ward Councilman Marty Mohr. TREATMENT FOR MARTY MOHR BEHAVIOR SUGGESTED Wednesday, July 13, 2005 by Austin Leedom at 3:00 a.m. City Council agreed at the Monday night meeting on July 11, 2005 to hold a hearing in the matter of the disturbances by 6th Ward Councilman Marty Mohr at council meetings on January 24 and June 27th. Councilman Mohr left the Monday night meeting early and was not present when the other councilman discussed his case. One Councilman suggested that Mr. Mohr be fined $100.00 for misconduct. Other citizens have privately suggested that Mohr be examined for a psychological evaluation determination and persuaded to undergo anger management training and/or other prescribed treatment. 6th Ward Councilman Marty Mohr threatened Mr. Ferguson, “ Here, let me take your teeth out for ya, buddy.” Read Moes Forum -- see the video evidence. MOHR DISORDER AT COUNCIL MEETING Following the meeting, the Moezine Productions Video Cameraman who recorded the meeting was threatened with severe bodily harm by Sixth Ward Councilman Marty Mohr. Moezine has it on video. Witnesses have told the Shawnee Sentinel that Mohr was backed by two big, muscular, rough-looking men. This muscle help for Mohr was to be expected; on May 23, 2005 Mohr started a fracas by calling ladies on the front row seats at the council meeting “pieces of crap” he found that his mouth had written a bigger check than his body could cash. When challenged by the husband of one of the ladies Mohr had insulted Mohr simply slunk down in his chair and looked to the police to rescue him. Tonight Mohr brought assistants. Mohr on this story tomorrow. CLAY JOHNSON’S COUNCILMAN GETS ROWDY ONCE AGAIN Article by Austin Leedom 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2005. Sixth Ward Councilman Marty Mohr (also known as one of three of SOGP/Clay Johnson’s bought and paid for special representatives to Council) went berserk again Monday night after honest councilman Tim Loper questioned the legality of the SOGP (Southern Ohio Growth Program) being designated as an agent to receive federal funds sent here for the “betterment” of Portsmouth.” (During the past ten years hundreds of millions of dollars granted for “the betterment of Portsmouth” have disappeared from the SOGP and never reached the designated destination.) Due to Marty Mohr’s threatening, abusive attitude the conference meeting was hastily adjourned by Council President Howard Baughman (Clay Johnson’s cousin.) Mayor Jim Kalb fled the room and quickly disappeared as many apparently feared Mohr would become violent. In the hallway outside the meeting room Mohr loudly continued his defense of the SOGP to Councilman Loper (Mohr ( and Mayor Jim Kalb) both personally profit very well from their connection with Clay Johnson’s SOGP, it is believed.) Then Marty Mohr turned his agitated wrath on the media in a verbal attack on Joe Ferguson, the Moezine Productions Videographer who regularly records the council Meetings Stifling of free speech is dictatorial goal of Baughman and Mohr. By Austin Leedom, Tuesday, May 24, 2005 According to their rehearsed plan to halt any citizen from speaking on subjects not on the legislative agenda, Council President Howard Baughman and Sixth Ward Councilman Marty Mohr attempted to alter the printed agenda during the council meeting with a proposal to eliminate the freedom of speech. Councilmen Bob Mollette and Tim Loper objected and Councilman David Malone briefly commented. Baughman and Mohr persisted in bringing the unscheduled resolution to a vote, to silence the citizens. The councilmen’s demeanor was overbearing and aggressive; they reminded me of two second-rate ‘heavy’ actors playing the role of Nazi Gestapo Judges in a Class C World War II movie. These hypocritical men, only a few minutes before, had stood in front of the citizens for a silent prayer led by Council President Howard Baughman; they then both swore allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and apparently promptly forgot both their prayer and their pledge. Their facial expressions were dark and threatening; their words were so bullying and Un-American that a large, distinguished-looking gentleman by the name of James K. Wilson, Sr. stood up from his back row seat and shouted at Baughman and Mohr, “Shame on you.” The elderly gentleman was promptly ordered from the council room by President Howard Baughman. Mr. Wilson had earlier accompanied website operator Joe Ferguson of Moezine Productions when, just before the public meeting, reporter Ferguson had audio-video recorded four councilmen (Howard Baughman, Marty Mohr, Jerrold Albrecht and David Malone) holding an unlawful assembly in the office of City Clerk Joanne Aeh. Perhaps his presence with the video photographer hastened Baughmans swift decision to chase Mr. Wilson from the public meeting. In protest, several other citizens followed Mr.Wilson from the room. A vote on the unconstitutional resolution was pushed through by Baughman and Mohr. They were the only two councilmen who voted in favor of the rule. It failed 4-2. Following the vote a brief one item legislative item concerning payment to an outside attorney was passed by council. Then citizens were grudgingly permitted to speak by Baughman and Mohr. Crystal Gilliam, a young lady representing Adelphia Cable was allowed to speak of business affairs concerning the City. She had attempted to speak to the council at a meeting two weeks ago, but was denied by Council President Howard Baughman. Citizen Teresa Mollette then spoke of the sacrifices of American military personnel and other patriots to obtain and safeguard the rights of citizens as guaranteed by the laws of the State of Ohio and the Portsmouth City Charter. She talked of the ruling by the Scioto County Common Pleas Court in November 2004 that decreed the public has the right to speak on all items brought before the council and of the rights guaranteed all Americans under the Constitution and the Bill of Rights of the United States. Richard Noel of Sciotoville then spoke briefly of the rights of Americans to freedom of speech. Harold Daub then talked of freedom of speech and the recent turmoil in city council that had been created by the vicious vocal attack on the citizens by Councilman Marty Mohr. Daub was referring to Mohr’s ferocious, maddening tirade on January 24, 2005 against the citizens in the audience. Mohr had called the men and ladies sitting on the front two rows, “pieces of crap.” One of the ladies on the front row was Darlene Daub, wife of Harold Daub. Marty Mohr made this dirty, cowardly attack on the citizens from the safety of his council seat; he felt he was safe as the Chief of Police was in the audience. Councilman Mohr said that if anyone disagreed with him they could talk to him face to face. After the meeting was adjourned Harold Daub approached Councilman Mohr to talk with him face to face. Mohr refused to talk, he refused to stand up; he slunk down in his chair and looked to the police chief to rescue him from any repercussions from his mouthing of the innocent citizens. He left the room under police protection. Tonight when Councilman Mohr’s name was mentioned by Harold Daub, President Baughman also rudely ejected Mr. Daub from the Council room. Other citizens, in silent protest, followed Mr. Daub from the room. Once again, by their bullying, Un-American actions Council President Howard Baughman and Marty Mohr have brought new unnecessary disgrace to our city, which is already suffering a widespread reputation for corruption. Yesterday, Monday, May 23, 2005, on the front page of the Portsmouth Daily Times, Reporter JEFF BARRON wrote of the response to Portsmouth Mayor Jim Kalb’s idea of annexing New Boston. According to Barron’s report, New Boston Mayor Jim Warren responded, “With the statewide recognition they’re getting, they’re dragging the whole area down,” Warren said. “An annexation to become part of it? Never.” The Martings scandal, un-prosecuted thefts by city officials, unbid contracts at inflated prices, low wages for city employees, high unemployment, a high poverty rate, and depleted city coffers that have been looted by unscrupulous, mendacious officials and their accomplices have marked Portsmouth as a City of Shame. It is little wonder that Council President Baughman and Marty Mohr don’t want the citizens to be heard. Judging from their performances as City Councilmen Mr. Baughman and Mr. Mohr could best serve the City of Portsmouth by resigning from the council seats they have defiled
Posted on: Sun, 15 Dec 2013 01:20:58 +0000
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