Prepared Comments Made To
NORTH CANTON CITY COUNCIL
March 8, 2004
I feel compelled to address the comments that were made in last weeks Council of the Whole meeting by two members of this body regarding their reluctance to move ahead with an investigation of Mayor Tom Rice.
First:
I would like to point out that it is your duty, first and foremost, to insure that the conduct of city business is handled in an open and trustworthy fashion. When there are allegations that jeopardize the public’s trust in the process of government, it is imperative that steps be taken in an expeditious and timely manner to restore the public’s trust in their government and their elected officials.
Second:
The comments in the press from Mayor Tom Rice that the allegations I have made are politically motivated are simply untrue. If my intentions were politically motivated, I would have acted before the election, not after the election.
If you want to know what a politically motivated attack on a public official looks like, just go back to October of 2002 when hearsay evidence was presented to this body. Some council members, who are still sitting on this council today, with no hesitation, voted to immediately initiate a full-blown investigation. It was a witch hunt for any possible misconduct that could be found and none was found.
Allegations of wrongdoing have been made against Mayor Tom Rice and presented to this body. This is not a witch hunt to find any possible misconduct. Specific allegations have been presented to this body, in writing, with evidence to back up the allegations.
Third:
Mr. Foltz, in my last meeting as a member of this council on November 24, 2003, you said and I quote, “Chuck, we didn’t see eye to eye in a lot of issues, but I respect your research, your compassion towards your beliefs…” Mr. Foltz, if you meant what you said, I ask that you to vote with this body to move ahead with an investigation. I ask that you put your duty as a city councilman ahead of any personal friendship that you may have with Mayor Tom Rice. Mr. Lane, I ask that you do your duty as well.
Every member of this council has taken an oath “…to support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Ohio, and the Ordinances and Resolutions of the City of North Canton, and to faithfully, honestly, and impartially, discharge the duties of the Office of Council Member of the City of North Canton, Ohio…”
Any attempt to thwart a fair and impartial investigation by this body would constitute a cover-up and undermine the public’s trust in North Canton City Government.
Chuck Osborne
307 Fairview Street, SE
North Canton, Ohio
