OH! HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN FROM "BACK IN THE DAY?"

Circa 2006, 2007, & 2008, former Stark County state representative Johnnie A. Maier, Jr was "at the top" of his political game.

During his stint as Stark Dems chairman (2003 through 2009), the Dems managed to capture every Stark County-wide (non-judicial) elected office.

He must have had a premonition that "all Hell was going to break loose" as he resigned as party chairman and left his successor and prime member of his personal political loyalty group; namely, Randy Gonzalez, to "pick up the pieces" as what local civic activist Craig T. Conley termed as being Zeiglergate broke loose on April 1, 2009.

Since then:

• Zeigler resigned/retired in an agreement with Stark County commissioners on October 19, 2011, 
• In 2012 Republican Richard Regula (in a major political surprise defeated by Democrat Todd Bosley in 2006) reclaimed his commissionership in replacing Democrat Pete Ferguson (elected in 2008 but who decided not to seek reelection)
• In 2010, Republican Janet Creighton easily defeated Maier/Gonzalez political confidant Steven Meeks (appointed by the Dems in 2007 to replace Tom Harmon [resigned in 2009]),
• In 2010, Bosley
• who along with Harmon [appointed by the Dems to replace Strickland administration appointee [lottery commission] and therefore former commissioner Gayle Jackson [2007],
• voted in December, 2008 to "impose" a 1/2 cent sales tax on Stark Coutians,
• and, therefore, apparently concluding that he could not win reelection as commissioner instead ran for state representative, the 50th District, a suffered a massive political defeat
• In 2010, Democrat Stark County auditor who was apparently thought by Stark County voters to be too politically close to Zeigler and did not do enough to raise alarms that "all may not be well" in the Stark County treasury headed by Zeigler, lost in convincing fashion to Republican Alan Harold,

So there you have "a thumbnail sketch" of how the Stark County political empire that Johnnie A. Maier, Jr had worked so hard to create had come crashing down.

Maier got his start back in 1988 when he had the good fortune "be in the right place, at the right time."  Stalwart Republican icon "Red" Ash (the, at the time, 49th House District, which became the 56th and then the 50th) had run into legal troubles and Maier was there "to pick up the pieces."

Over his years of chairman and a Massillon clerk of courts, Maier worked equally hard - if not more so - to develop a cult-like following of his personal political aspirations, to wit:

He had come home (Massillon area) from "the high reaches" of Columbus where he fraternized with the all-powerful Vern Riffe, Jr. (Speaker of the House 1975 - 1995) and learned "the art of cultivating and mastering" political power.

Many think Riffe used political power for the public good whereas there are those who think that student Johnnie, Jr applies it to his personal interests.

One of the devices of governance that the Republicans used in 1992 to wrest power from te Democrats was to support voter passage of term limits in Ohio.

Under the term limits legislation, representatives were limited to eight (8) consecutive years in office.

Accordingly, Maier, Jr had to find a more secure and nesting place and in a show of what was to come from this disciple of Vern Riffe, he put a political power move on fellow Democrat Edward L. Radel, Jr and ousted him as clerk of Massillon Municipal Court earlier in 1999.

Maier went on to defeat Republican Richard Reichel by an overwhelming majority in 1999 general election.

All of the foregoing is to demonstrate that Maier is now "on life support" to salvage what remains of his Stark County based political empire.

And that, folks, is his "all-out, all consuming" effort to get his brother George (who he likely got Ted Strickland to appoint as assistant director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety) elected as Stark County sheriff.

A victim of the Maier obsession with getting his brother elected may be "top-gun" prosecutor Chryssa Hartnett.

Chryssa works for Stark County prosecutor John Ferrero (who along with former sheriff Tim Swanson have worked against George becoming sheriff, appointed and/or elected).

The SCPR believes that the Maiers are soaking up nearly all the financial resources that Stark Dems can raise and that Hartnett may not be able to garner enough campaign funds to get her message out to the Stark County voting public that she is - so the SCPR thinks - is vastly more qualified to be judge of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas that Republican Curtis Werren.

Before being appointed by Republican governor John Kasich to a court vacancy,  Werren was president of the Stark County chapter of the American Red Cross.

Republican Larry Dordea who ran a, more or less, "gentlemens' campaign" when he ran in 2008 against incumbent sheriff Tim Swanson (who is now on the outs with the Maiers), is now in, what he says (as interpreted by the SCPR) is - to be kind to the Maiers, not that they deserve it - a "political hardball" fight in its harshest form with George (Link to blog detailing Dordea's accusations, implied and otherwise).

But Dordea needs to understand, this may be Johnnie's "Custer's Last Stand."  That is to say, electing George sheriff.

For next year, it might be that his political creation Kathy Catazaro-Perry, mayor of Massillon, whose election in 2011 Maier engineered over long time Maier political foe and two decades plus mayor Francis H. Cicchinelli, Jr, will be defeated for a second term if she chooses to run.

Even with Catazaro-Perry's election in 2011, Maier showed he was slipping in that, while he was focusing on Catazaro-Perry's mayoralty quest, the Democrats lost control of Massillon City Council.

For those who do not know, Massillon is staunchly Democratic.

Not to be forgotten is Maier's "all-out" sponsorship of Celeste DeHoff for state representative in his, more or less, old District.

He prevailed on then Governor Ted Strickland (who, recognized Johnnie to be the first county chairman to endorse him in the Democratic primary), former U.S. Senator John Glenn, Senator Sherrod Brown, and then-Ohio treasurer Richard Cordray to come to Canal Fulton to campaign for DeHoff.

Since then, DeHoff has fallen on hard times.

But she was and out-and-out Maier loyalist.  And that appears to be all that matters to Johnnie and George.

In 2012, perhaps, Johnnie's closest political ally; namely, Judge Edward Elum of the Massillon Municipal Court was disciplined by the Ohio Supreme Court.

In a rare display of Johnnie A. Maier, Jr loyalty to anyone other than himself, so the SCPR thinks, he did submit a letter in support of Elum's quest to avoid discipline by the high court.

The SCPR thinks Dordea may have seen nothing yet compared to "what is yet to come."

When the political end comes for Johnnie A. Maier, Jr., he will go down - not in a whimper - but in a thunderous crash.

There will be great wailing and gnashing of teeth with Maier, Jr and his cult of followers.

But Maier's political demise might not be yet.

It all depends on the November 4, 2014 outcome between brother George and Dordea.

That's "how high the stakes are" in this election!

TRULY AMAZING! MAIER SAYS HE IS NOT SHERIFF BECAUSE OF "A LEGAL TECHNICALITY."

SUBTOPICS

SWANSON
TO
FILE
A
WRIT OF PROHIBITION TODAY
=========================

PRESELECTION OF SHERIFF MEETING

"THE MEETING"

AT

THE

STARK CO. COMMISSIONERS OFFICE

******************************

 WAS IT APPROPRIATE?
*******************************

A local reporter writes about "former" Sheriff George T. Maier.

Well, "former" Sheriff, "technically" speaking, is not correct.

The Ohio Supreme Court in Swanson v. Maier (quo warranto) decision as I read it is: that Maier was never sheriff of Stark County.

So how can Maier be described that being a "former" of what he never was?

Answer?

You can't!

And a correction is in order.

Speaking of technicalities.

George Maier will undoubtedly appreciate the SCPR's point of dwelling on the  "technicality" that "as a matter of law" he is not entitled to be called "former sheriff."

For he is into "technicalities" in a big way in his interpretation of the Supreme Court decision that he lost.

It was "a legal technicality," George T. Maier said yesterday to a Canton radio host, that accounts for the Supreme Court having ruled as a matter of "the rule of law" that he was not qualified to be sheriff on February 5, 2013 the date on which, according to Stark County Sheriff Tim Swanson (also interviewed by the same radio host), Randy Gonzalez and the official leadership of the Stark County Democratic Party ramrodded and railroaded the unqualified Maier through the selection process of the Stark County Democratic Party Central Committee (SCDPCC) to become the party's appointee to the sheriff's office.

The most significant news out of yesterday's interviews is that Swanson let it out that today his attorney Greg Beck is heading to Columbus to file a Writ of Prohibition with the Supreme Court in order to block Gonzalez from making a second error.

State, ex rel. La Boiteaux Co., v. Court (1980), 61 Ohio St. 2d 60, 61

"Three conditions must exist to support the issuance of a writ of prohibition:

(1) [t]he court or officer against whom it is sought must be about to exercise judicial or quasi-judicial power,

(2) the exercise of such power must be clearly unauthorized by law, and

(3) it must appear that the refusal of the writ would result in injury for which there is no adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law."

Maier might be a little bit more than dismayed that Ohio's "court of last resort" just may once again - get technical  - with him and his legal stakeholder status and order his political handmaiden Gonzalez to have the SCDPCC limit a second go at the  appointment process to the surviving "but 'absolutely' qualified" as of February 5th candidates:

• Democrat Lt. Lou Darrow, and 
• Republican Hartville Chief of Police Larry Dordea.

Stark Countians should be plenty upset with Gonzalez, Johnnie A. Maier, Jr, former Stark County commissioner Gayle Jackson (who would like to be commissioner once again) and Demetreus St. John for apparently be prepared to allow the SCDPCC go on with George T. Maier being in the field of candidates on the "re-do" ordered by the Supreme Court.

They, in the opinion of the SCPR, are the responsible parties for Stark County government being destabilized by the disruption of leadership continuity at 4500 Atlantic Boulevard for having allowing the obviously unqualified Maier to be in line to be appointed in the first place.

And for Gonzalez to abandon any semblance of neutrality as the chair of the November 5th event should have been unacceptable to the central committeepersons.

In Swanson's interview (see confirming SCPR blog which refers to testimony given at deposition in Swanson v. Maier in April, 2013), he revealed that he, Gonzalez, Commissioner Thomas Bernabei met (The Meeting, which apparently occurred at Gonzalez's initiative in late December 2012, early January 2013) at the commissioners' office in anticipation of the February 5th SCDPCC meeting.  During the meeting, George Maier was brought in via the telephone.

The significance of The Meeting insofar as The Report is concerned in the request made by Gonzalez (according to Swanson) that Swanson hire George Maier for a couple days so that he could present those two days as a basis for being qualified for sheriff by virtue of two days employment "as a full-time peace officer."

Swanson:  Why hire Maier for two days?

Gonzalez's words as reported by Swanson:  "We have concerns of whether or not he is qualifed."

Well, when complying with the law is a matter of  being "a mere technicality," I guess that is what one does, no?

No need to comply with the "spirit" of the law; only the "technical" requirements of the law.

Wow!

On his side of the radio interviews, Maier admits (as reported "first" by the SCPR) that he is now working in Harrison County (Cadiz, Ohio; some 50 to 60 miles from Stark County) as his attempt to cure his defective qualification to be sheriff.

When his two day routine did not go over with Swanson, Maier hot-footed it down to Harrison County (population about 16,000) to where old Ohio Highway Patrol buddy Ronald J. Myers was "good to go" on helping him at, Harrison County taxpayer expense, meet the "mere technicality" of Maier being a full-time peace officer on two days on the job.  And conveniently, the two days were on a weekend.

Only problem was is that "meeting the technicalities of the law" plan didn't go over with folks who can think there way out of "a wet paper bag" (i.e. the Ohio Supreme Court justices).

Perhaps Maier needs a new set of geniuses to go to for advice on solving his technicality problem?

The Report believes that his attempt at a new "cure" will be in vain because the February 6th date REMAINS the qualifying date.

And Maier cannot do anything to retrace is steps in qualifying as of the 6th and, accordingly, the Supreme Court likely will prohibit the SCDPCC from including Maier in a SCDPCC "re-do" of the appointment process.

Attorney and civic activist Craig Conley tells the SCPR that he plans to challenge Harrison County sheriff Ronald J. Myers (the Maier pal from his Ohio Highway Patrol days) on his use of Harrison County taxpayer money to solve George Maier's Stark County sheriff qualification problem when it is clear that Maier is not planning on working in the Cadiz area over the long haul.

Stark Countians should be upset that Gonzalez apparently tried to bootstrap Maier into qualification via the above-referenced (The Meeting) highly irregular official business-esque process that also involved Swanson, Commissioner Tom Bernabei and Maier himself.

Though he denies such, it appears to the SCPR that  Bernabei as a part of his official capacity (i.e. meeting at the commissioners' office) was weighing-in on behalf of Maier.

Holding the meeting anywhere else could be said to be one in which individuals were exercising their rights to mull over the qualification matter including its political aspects.

But in an office in the commissioners' suite of offices?

Was Bernabei's role (the focus being on Maier) appropriate in light of Darrow and Dordea also being contenders?

Of course, Swanson could be and probably should be thought as looking out looking out for the interests of his guy Lou Darrow.

But who was looking out for Republican Dordea?

Don't the commissioners have an obligation to be even handed in looking out for the individual interests of all the candidates?  Or, better yet, how about looking out "for none of the candidates?"

To Swanson's credit, he rejected Gonzalez's scheme, according to him after mulling it over for a while.

Had Swanson gone along with "the Gonzalez plan," how could he have possibly challenged Maier's qualifications and be the initiator of the quo warranto which resulted in Maier's ouster as being unqualified?

Was that part of the design of Gonzalez's grand strategy?

Include Swanson in "cure George's 'technical' qualification" solution and he is compromised to the point that he would not be in a credible position to challenge Maier's SCDPCC appointment?

One part of me says that Gonzalez is not that bright; but then there may be folks lurking in the background who are and who were directing the chairman.

Stark Countians can only "thank their lucky stars" that Swanson did not bite, no?

Here you have three Democrats (Gonzalez, Bernabei and Swanson) one of whom (Gonzalez) was definitely pitching for Maier (and the SCPR suspects that Bernabei was in Maier's corner, too) discussing what would be best for the security interests of ALL OF STARK COUNTY and Dordea has no presence.

Something seems very, very wrong about The Meeting having taken place in the seeming context of official business.

When county officials were out campaigning for the "exclusively Stark's criminal justice system" 0.5% sales tax increase, wasn't the appeal made to Democrats, Republicans, independents and persons of all political persuasions?

How is it that Stark County Democratic Party chairman Randy Gonzalez gets entree to Commissioner Bernabei in what appears to be a political undertaking given that Gonzalez participated in The Meeting in his role as Stark County Democratic Party chairman?

Since Maier's appointment, Bernabei has been an "uncritical" supporter which makes me think that perhaps Bernabei is being just a tad coy and disingenuous about his role in The Meeting.

For Bernabei to know that Maier was out spending taxpayer dollars ($13,671) and "not to lift a finger" to intervene when it was pretty obvious that Maier was not going to be sheriff once the Supreme Court weighed-in is interesting.

Such a posture coming from Bernabei is very surprising to me.

Bernabei is known for his sharp mind and his "in constant analytic mode" way of being.

Has there been a breakdown in his normal "nothing goes unvetted" as Bernabei's "standard operating procedure" in the case of Maier?

What is going on here?

Remember that Janet Creighton and Thomas Bernabei made a really big deal out being transparent, accountable, communicative and accessible when they came into office as a result of the November, 2010 elections which was before what Craig Conley likes to call "Zeiglergate" was fully resolved.

From what I can see, they deserve high grades for, by and large, following through on their rhetoric.

But they are not perfect.

Not to get "too technical," but is this an instance that Commissioner Bernabei fell short on his "technical marks" of heretofore governance excellence in participating in The Meeting?

But then he is not a professional ice skater!

TRUSTEES CHESSLER AND LAUBACHER AT ODDS OVER CAPALDI REPLACEMENT. CANDIDATE GAYLE JACKSON NEEDS TO GET ON THE "HOTLINE" TO POLITICAL FIXER JOHNNIE A. MAIER, JR?

UPDATE:  02/01/2012

Apparently, Gayle Jackson political sponsor and former Stark County Democratic Party chairman Johnnie A. Maier, Jr., ran out of political magic to bestow upon Jackson as Perry trustees Lee Laubacher and Craig Chessler chose a non-politician to replace Anna Capaldi who resigned early in January.

Doug Haines, a Fisher Foods employee, who does not have a political resume was the selection yesterday.

The SCPR believes that Chessler's candidate was Jackson. 

Had he not given into Laubacher, he could have faced the possibility that he would have provided a possibility for the avowedly Republican and past trustee candidate Crisiva Varner getting the appointment at the hand of  Stark County Probate Judge Dixie Park (a Republican) who statutorily was in line to make the appointment in the event of a deadlock between Laubacher and Chessler.

ORIGINAL BLOG

Perry township trustees are poised to make an appointment to replace recently resigned Trustee Anna Capaldi, perhaps, at tonight's meeting.  But they could wait until as late as Thursday.

The SCPR has learned that appointing trustees Craig Chessler and Lee Laubacher are at loggerheads as to whom they will appoint.

Chessler reportedly wants former trustee (Perry), Stark County commissioner and Ohio Lottery official Gayle Jackson.  Laubacher?  Anyone but Jackson.

At stake is the political clout of former Stark County chairman Johnnie A. Maier, Jr.  He is a Jackson political ally going back many years.  Maier names Jackson as the all time best commissioner that Stark County has ever had.

As The Report has mused in an earlier blog, it is unbelievable that a politician of Jackson's stature would submit her name unless she had "a wink and nod" assurance that were she to apply, the position would be hers.

One thing Chessler and Laubacher (both Democrats) agree on is that they do not want the appointment to go to Republican Stark County Probate Judge Dixie Park.

So does this mean that the new trustee will come from among the list Chessler and Laubacher published recently?  They are:

• David Ramos, secretary of the Perry Township Zoning Commission,
• Ralph DeChiara Jr., a township firefighter; 
• Doug Haines, a Fisher Foods employee, and
• Attorney Paul Hervey

With only hours remaining until the appointment occurs, one can imagine that there is a political hotline set up between Jackson and Maier as they communicate strategy in an all out effort to bringing Laubacher on board.

Can Maier pull a Jackson appointment off?