INDEPENDENT, UNBIASED, OPEN-MINDED, DIVERSE
A CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY
These and similar terms describe the characteristics Charter Commission Candidates need, so say those who favor the charter initiative and want to create a commission to consider and potentially write a charter for the city of Mount Vernon. That is what the pro charter advocates say we, the citizens of Mount Vernon, need, but what will we get? Relationships or connections exist between many of the individuals involved in the charter issue, including several of the candidates for the charter commission. Voters should be aware of those relationships or connections so they can judge for themselves whether a charter commission, if seated, would meet the above criteria. The information provided is not intended to advocate for or against any charter commission candidate. It’s not even about the candidates. The information is offered to assist the voter in judging the sincerity of at least some of the most out spoken pro charter advocates when they tell us, the citizens and voters, things like: the charter issue is just about a “conversation”, “discussion”, or “study” of a charter; that, just like the decision by council to place the issue on the ballot, voting to form a charter commission is not a big deal, it’s just one more small step in a much larger process; and what can be wrong with just talking about a charter and letting the people decide? If a charter commission is formed, will there be an open and honest debate of the pros and cons of a charter, or are we being sold a bill of goods that is intended to lead us to the ultimate goal of Mr. Barone and others who share his dream, a charter government for Mount Vernon?
Much of what follows is as it appears on the internet, including the websites of the Area Development Foundation of Knox County (knoxadf.com) and Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County (mvkcfoundation.org). In providing it, the value of volunteers is acknowledged. The relationships between a number of individuals involved in the charter issue is provided solely for the purpose of transparency.
In the fall of 2016, Sam Barone had discussions with eight other individuals about a charter for the city of Mount Vernon. The names of some of those others are well known or have become familiar since the charter discussion became public in the Spring of 2017. They included Mayor Richard Mavis; Democratic Party chairman Adam Gilson; Council President Bruce Hawkins; and Jeff Harris, the president of the Area Development Foundation (ADF). Mr. Harris is now a candidate for the charter commission. Quoting from an article in the Mount Vernon News, October 12, 2018, Mr. Harris is “one of the organizers of the group supporting creation of a commission…” Mr. Harris was interviewed by the News for the article. That same article identifies commission candidate Gordon Yance and Marc Odenweiler as the treasurer and deputy treasurer, respectively, of the pro-charter group. Mr Odenweiler, while not a candidate, is the finance director of the Community Trust. What is the significance of the Community Foundation? Sam Barone, yes the same Sam Barone, is the executive director of the Community Foundation!
How is it that Mr. Harris came to be president of the Area Development Foundation? According to Mr. Harris, “I got to know Mayor Richard Mavis, Councilman Sam Barone and Steve Waers,” the latter of whom is the outgoing foundation president, Harris told me. “They called me and asked me if I wanted the job.” (This quote appeared in an article by Brian R. Ball, staff reporter for Columbus Business under the title Worthington’s economic development chief heading to Knox County, published August 20, 2015 and appearing at bizjournals.com.) Recently, Jeff Gottke, one of the council members voting for placing the charter issue on the ballot, was hired by the Area Development Foundation as vice president. According to the Mount Vernon News, October 9, 2018, “ADF President Jeff Harris said Gottke will have a number of administrative responsibilities…” Mr. Gottke voluntarily resigned his council seat to take the position with the Area Development Foundation “after the Ohio Ethics Commission issued an opinion that it would be a conflict of interest (for Gottke) to remain on council and work for the ADF.” ¹
According to the ADF website, in addition to Jeff Harris, two other commission candidates, Clint Bailey and Gordan Yance, are on the board of the Area Development Foundation. A brief bio appearing on the Central Ohio Technical College website (cotc.edu) indicates Mr. Yance has also been involved with the Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County (“Community Foundation”) and served from 2002-2011 as President for First Knox National Bank. First Knox National Bank houses the office of the Community Foundation. Bruce Hawkins, President of City Council and one of the nine people involved in initial charter discussion with Mr. Barone, also serves on the ADF board and is the father of commission candidate, Todd Hawkins, who is employed by First Knox National Bank. While not a commission candidate, Terry L. Divelbiss, who is on the board of ADF along with candidates Clint Bailey and Gordan Yance, also serves on the board of the Community Foundation.
As noted above, Sam Barone, is the Executive Director of the Community Foundation. According to its website, board members of the Community Trust include Terry L. Divelbiss; Dr. Sean Decatur, President of Kenyon College; and Richard K. Mavis, mayor. Kenyon College is identified on the ADF website as a “Partner” of the Area Development Foundation. Charter Commission candidate Samuel Filkens is employed by Kenyon College, serving on the benefits and policy committee for staff council. Candidate Julia Warga is a librarian at Kenyon College. Sam Barone graduated from Kenyon. After graduation, he served Kenyon as News and Sports Information Director and Public Relations Director.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) is also identified as a “Partner” of the Area Development Foundation. Charter Commission candidate Randy Cronk has a long history with MVNU as an employee, and candidate Tanner Salyers is a recent graduate of MVNU.
INDEPENDENT, UNBIASED, OPEN-MINDED, DIVERSE, A CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY?
All of the Charter Commission candidates mentioned in this posting have been “endorsed” by Councilman Sam Barone, who was quoted by the Mount Vernon News, July 24, 2018, as saying, “(C)ouncil has one role in the charter issue and that is to give it to the people to decide. ‘It’s not to express our opinion, but solely to provide an on ramp for discussion.’” So the question is raised again:
If a charter commission is formed, will there be an open and honest debate of the pros and cons of a charter, or are we being sold a bill of goods that is intended to lead us to the ultimate goal of Mr. Barone and others who share his dream and Mount Vernon’s nightmare, a charter government for our city? You decide.
NO COMMISSION, NO CHARTER. VOTE “NO” NOVEMBER 6.
¹ Mount Vernon News, October 23, 2018