As anticipated the Ohio Election Commission (OEC) reviewed former Wellsville politician John McClelland's complaint against Mayor Joe Surace and did not find any probable cause to proceed with it. Probably the only one surprised at this finding is McClelland.
When I first wrote about this back in November I indicated that the complaint was based on assumptions and speculation. From what was presented in the newspapers McClelland did not have any solid evidence to back up his complaint. I don't know who was advising him, if anyone, but he was mislead. Now all he got out of it was more ill feelings toward him and bills to pay.
As you recall John-boy filed an incomplete complaint against Surace back in November with the OEC. That was promptly returned. The complaint was claiming that the mayor's insurance card was part of his campaign and that the mayor used campaign funds to buy postage stamps to mail them out. John-boy was quoted as saying he thought the OEC should have accepted the original complaint and ignore the legal requirements for filing such complaints. In his bull headed fashion John-boy gets a lawyer to correct the complaint, got his signature notarized and refiled the complaint in January. I'm guessing John-boy was assuming that he had the mayor in his sites and his smear campaign was dead to right. Well, John-boy, you know what they say about assuming. You can go to the head of the class with a big "A" pasted to your forehead. You undoubtedly proved that old adage.
Not only did you make a horse's patootie out of yourself you will forever more have the reputation of stooping to smear tactics. I, for one, will have to question your integrity if you ever decide to get back in the political arena. I could almost bet I'm not alone with this line of thinking. Think about it John-boy. You brought this all about because you got mad about a state audit from six years ago being brought out. Was it worth it?
I must apologize. I compared you to Mighty Mouse a while back. I was wrong. Mighty Mouse is a hero standing up for all that is right and honorable. People of your ilk put me more in mind of a common river rat. My apologies to Mighty Mouse.
Good night John-boy...
ole nib
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20 comments:
These two comments came in while I was typing this piece. I moved them onto here since they are both relevant to the subject.
opinion said...
I read in the Review today the the Ohio Election Board, threw out John McClellands complaint against the Mayor because it lacked merit or something like that. Ofcourse, John was very gracious in his remarks. I think next week, the US Congress is going to pass and Ammendment stating the Mayor did nothing wrong, to prove to John that he is wrong. I for one, cant figure out where John is coming from. If my family had the troubles that his has, I sure wouldnt be sticking my nose into other peoples business. Especially, when they arent even breaking the law, a subject he has been familiar with. I hope his personal vendetta will come to a close. Once again, the Lloyd supporters show how much class they have. None. Congratulations, Mayor. And thanks for the RX Discount Card.
Saturday, 01 March, 2008
get on with it said...
[Quote:let's just overlook any wrongdoing that the mayor may have done;]
I don;t think that is acting as though the mayor is guilty; it's saying IF he did something wrong. There's a big difference.
The whole point of it is, whether a "trivial" matter or not, if any public official violates election campaign laws, it needs to be investigated and punishment made.
Apparently, the commission has ruled in favor of the mayor so it's a moot point, but I give McClelland credit for questioning what he believed to be a violation and the process went as it should have.
NOW the mayor can get on with what he deems important to the town and so can John.
Oh, and by the way I am no "Surace hater." I have no feelings about him or McClelland one way or the other. Just commenting on what's right and wrong.
Saturday, 01 March, 2008
ole nib
I don't give John any credit for his actions. What he did was unbelievable, to say the least. It was a personal vendetta, plain and simple. What's sad is he once called the Mayor "friend", but hey thats all over now right John. I can hardly wait to hear John say, "hey Joe we're still friends right, I just had to do what I had to do. No hard feelings right?"
You are right in your assumption Ole Nib, that people will think twice about John if he wants to get back into politics. I have heard that many, many times. I think we can stick a fork in John, he's done.
Surace knows what he did, and he knows McClelland was right on the money.
Is that you john?
You're way off on this one 'ole nib and when the time is right.....you'll be the one to eat crow.
Nothing like taking defeat graciously. Says a lot about the content of ones character.
John-Boy may have “lost” his hearing, but you are the loser . Everybody blames the ORL and its author for stirring sh*t up in the Village but you are the one that keeps it going Jim. You are the one that is “not letting go” and trying to put stuff behind us. The Mayor has not seen the end of his legal and ethical problems. I am just sitting back and waiting for the proverbial “sh*t to hit the fan”.
To Tyrone shoelaces;
I am not Jim, whoever that is. That is a great idea, to just sit back and wait. How inventive of you. I'm sure that plan will pay off in spades. But lets really get down to the brass tacks of this issue. The reason John has his panties in such a wad, is because he was so mad about the Audit that was put out for the Mayors campaign. It hit the Lloyd people like a ton of bricks. Why I remember, when I read it, thinking to myself, what a great campaign strategy. And I often wonder, who were those "political wiz kids?". The timing was perfect, the content could not be disputed. Why, I think, it lost Mr. Lloyd alot of votes. I think he would have won, if not for the genius of someone. The Lloyd campaign couldn't answer it, and didn't have time even if they could. I remember that John was crying about it right here on this website. But that was before, he went to council and cried about it there. That was when he came up with his brilliant plan to file the complaint about the dastardly RX discount card. What a great idea. Why just look at where that has gotten John. You'll probably get about as far.
maybe grandpa nib's eyesight is failing. if he would look at the paperwork and then comment he wouldn't have the blind comments that he has. remember family is family. if you don't have one that cares you are the loser. what comes around goes around. the so called mayor is still talking out his right and left side of his mouth. oh well one day you will be the one that will say shit he did it to me too
John is old news, history, finished. On a brighter note, last weeks Chamber Dinner, with Baard Co. Vice Pres. and Owner, was great. The only thing that didn't look good was the fact that other Cities, Villages, and Townships, had more Councilman, and Trustees than Wellsville did. Same old stuff, a public event and not attended by our great Councilmen. We did have 3 Councilmen there, Randy Allmon, John Mc'Mahon, and Joe Soldano. Thanks guys, at least you care about the Village. Mayor and Saracco also were there.
opinion
Tis' not a threat madame but a prediction that I predict will come true. Ridding the town of corrupt politicians is a move forward considering they have been running this town for years. I may be an asshole but I am one who can lay my head on the pillow at night and sleep soundly.
No, I wasn't privy to john-boy's actual written complaint. Believe me I tried to find it but couldn't find anything on the OEC web site. I have a feeling none of the reporters for the local papers saw it either. Surely one of them would have printed or at least quoted from it liberly verbatim in a news story. With that in mind all I had was what was printed in the papers. The last story in the papers on this subject was printed this past Saturday. That's all I had to go on.
There were a lot of hard feelings generated in our past general election that will never go away. It got so bad I actually felt sorry for Dave Lloyd. I truly think he is a decent man but I also think he was mislead by his ardent supporters in the later stages of his campaign. It is my opinion that john-boy's filing was nothing more than a last ditch effort to smear the mayor with pure vehemence. Back in November I advised that the complaint be dropped. That would have been the end of it. It didn't happen. Maybe I'm living in a dream world. It's just hard for me to accept the fact that some people will let such hard feelings fester in their hearts and minds before getting on with their lives. From some of the comments on here it looks like it will take a while before we move on. Let's hope I'm wrong.
If the mayor's distractors have more to bring out I say get to it. If they have something based in fact and not hearsay let's see it. Don't let it fester like flesh eating cancerous cells. Let's air it out. Get it done with.
As for it not being safe to come to Wellsville all I can say is that people who live in glass houses should not be throwing stones. Read the papers and then tell me where in this tri-state area one can really feel safe leaving your doors unlocked or to take a late night stroll. Tell me where one could truly feel secure going out shopping without fear of being accosted in the parking lot. Tell me where you can pull out of your drive way without worrying that some hop head or fool going too fast for road conditions won't smash into you. It's a sad commentary on life in today's society but it's something we're forced to live with. It's not only in Wellsville.
ole nib
What a cry baby. Not safe in Wellsville. I think matt tends to be a bit self-absorbed. Does he think people are waiting here to kick his ass or what? Like anyone would bother to waste their time or energy. You are as safe here as you are in East Liverpool Matt.
I can't see where release of that audit hit Lloyd's supporters "like a ton of bricks" because it really said NOTHING.
He was able to concisely explain every allegation his detractors tried to make with the audit. It did nothing to his campaign because it really did not make Lloyd look bad, that is, to those who can read and comprehend.
yeah right..I hope your not counting yourself as someone who can read and comprehend but if you are maybe you can comprehend this. The election is over and you lost.
MOVE ON: go forward, advancing, progressing.
Comprendo?
Oh year right:
You can't be serious. That audit was a disaster to Dave Lloyd and his supporters. It named him and his department as the main source of overspending that put us in fiscal emergency. Whatever! If you couldn't comprehend the damage done to Dave in that audit, then you just didn't read it. And they were not expecting it. It doesnt matter, its over now, and it was a good move. What is important now, is that Matt Stewarts life is in danger if he comes to the Ville. Can't his many friends here protect him while he is here. Especially since they have badges and guns. Who is after Matt. They must be some really bad dudes to make Matt stay away. lol
opinion.. you are right, the number one priority for every citizen of the Ville should be Matt Stewarts safety. If he would call ahead and let us know he is on the way we could form a protective human ring around him wherever he goes. I feel it is the least we can do for someone who is such a great writer. We'd do it for I.P. Freshwater or Seymour Butts and Matt is just as good a writer as they are. This is outrageous!!
outraged is right we should put barney fife on it right away
Hey:
I was wondering where the political group of kids from the High School have been. They didn't host any debates for the county officials. Guess they are out of the notion of debates now that their parents lost the Lloyd election. I find it interesting the group just vanished. I guess kids lose interest fast.
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