Maybe the worst thing that William J. Healy, II did for his long-term political health was to have taken on and defeated Mary Cirelli when she was Canton's Democratic state representative in the early 2000s.
The Canton Repository Editorial Board had decided in 2003 that Cirelli (then in a minority in the Ohio House) was not effective in representing Cantonians (the 52nd House District).
Healy being the consummate political opportunist he is, jumped over the Repository's anti-Cirelli drumbeat and decided to and did successfully challenge her in the 2004 Democratic primary.
Of course, Healy has never been a loyal Democrat.
Less than a year earlier, after having swooped back into town from having freshly degreed with an MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business bursting at the seams to save Canton from itself, Healy brashly decided to take on long-time Canton Democrat icon Bill Smuckler for the right to try to wrestle away from the Republicans the mayoralty of Canton which the GOP had held for decades.
But he failed against Smuckler who went on to lose narrowly to Republican Janet Creighton.
As we all know, Healy did go on to become the Democratic nominee for mayor in 2007 and defeat Creighton's bid for reelection in 2007.
And he was reelected in 2011 after having bested Smuckler in the 2011 Democratic primary.
Stark Countians will recall that Healy got off to a very rocky start in the year following his taking office in January, 2008.
He had a swirl of controversy going on various incidents regarding allegations of an inappropriate relationship with an administration staff member, raised eyebrows on some of his campaign finance contributions, and administration in fighting with his then chief of staff and safety director, and certain members of the heavily Democratic Canton City Council (including Council President Allen Schulman).
A number of local political observers including the SCPR questioned whether or not Healy could survive these controversies to survive a first term, let alone get elected to a second term.
Well, if anything, Healy is resourceful and here we sit in 2012 with Healy having been reelected last November.
One thing that has not changed is that Healy continues to draw controversy just as a magnet draws iron filings to itself.
Right now, Healy faces three controversies:
- his claimed "accidental" use of a Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) credit card for personal expenses,
- his fight with the Canton Law Department over the proper formula for squaring up financially with the 30 city of Canton employees the administration dismissed earlier this year over improper retire/rehire procedures,
- his hiring "out-of-the-blue" a new administrator at a cost of $38,800 during a time he has been claiming that Canton faces a $3.7 million financial shortfall in 2013, and
- also amidst the financial crisis, he is projected as spending perhaps as much as $40,000 on such things as remote control blinds, a smart board (and maybe programming for the board) as well as a camera for his 8th floor office.
And what the SCPR finds interesting about Healy's current troubles is that a primary figure in agitating on these Healy woes in none other than current councilwoman-at-large Mary Cirelli.
Political memories do linger, linger and linger some more.
While the SCPR does not question that Cirelli has many authentic beefs with Healy, one has to believe that Healy's humiliation of her in 2004 looms large in her being in the thick of taking Healy to task on the numerous self-inflicted troubles (including the current difficulties listed above) he finds himself in.
Later this morning Healy will be the subject of an inquiry by the Canton Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) about Healy's claimed "accidental" use of a CIC credit card for personal expenses.
Well guess who is weighing in large on the CIC's inquiry though she has no official role in the CIC itself.
You've got it. None other than Healy political nemesis Mary M. Cirelli.
An example of Cirelli's dogging of Healy is an e-mail she sent to the CPA firm which audits CIC records of account, to wit:
To:
varneyfink@ ...
Good Evening Mr. Fink, It is my understanding that you are the entity that audits the CCIC for Canton, Ohio. You may or may not be aware that Mayor Heley of Canton,Ohio took it upon himself to obtain 3 Credit Cards under the name of the CCIC ; 1-for Himself , 1-for Fonda Williams, and 1 for Linda Barnes. It has been reported by the Canton Repository that Mayor Heley used the Credit Card 15 times, which include purchases, some of which appear to be personal in nature. My Constituents are very upset over his actions, as he made his own Policy for use of such.The Issue was never voted per the Board of the Canton Community Improvement Corporation!
It is clear that ORC [Title 1724] ... [d]oes not permit Him to do such . He has paid what he claims were his personal expenses back to the Department . This was done in a very inappropriate manner, as his checks (Just two that I am aware of ) were paid from his personal checking account to the bank where he obtained the credit cards ? There is a Meeting open to the public on Friday Sept. 21 at 9:30 a.m. in the Mayor’s Conference Room –8th Floor City Hall , 218 Cleveland Ave. S.W. Canton,Ohio 44702 As a Member of Canton City Council I will attend. I would appreciate any input from you regarding his actions.With your expertise in this area It would be greatly appreciated if you could be in attendance or your designee.
Respectfully, Mary M.Cirelli-Councilmember-at-Large
The SCPR's take on Healy is that he smugly and condescendingly tolerates Cirelli.
But he might be wise to take her more seriously.
Because in the end, she could to be his "worst political nightmare" in terms of being able to serve out another full term as mayor of Canton!
But he might be wise to take her more seriously.
Because in the end, she could to be his "worst political nightmare" in terms of being able to serve out another full term as mayor of Canton!
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