Chicken Little? “The sky is falling!”

Chicken Little is an endearing and amusing folk tale all of us have heard or told. It has a moral to it, warning us against hysterical beliefs that disaster is imminent or against being unreasonably afraid. The story of Chicken Little came to mind when I read the latest Mayor’s Bulletin (April 2014).

Despite the innocuous title, the Bulletin article “MARIEMONT.ORG IS THE ONLY OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE VILLAGE”  had little to do with websites. This was another  use of an “official” Mariemont publication, paid for by Mariemont taxpayers, that digresses from the topic of the Village of Mariemont website into a personal attack, an atttempt to intimidate and bully, and projection of unreasonable conclusions  on other issues. Let’s dissect this article from the Bulletin,hopefully making more rational comments and sense than it contained:

“MARIEMONT.ORG IS THE ONLY OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE VILLAGE”

“At Town Meeting, a few citizens were still confused about the Village’s website, so once again, I want to point out to everyone that the Village’s official website is www.mariemont.ORG.  The website with the domain name of www.mariemont.COM is NOT a Village-authorized site.”

• The Village of Mariemont does not have statutory authority to authorize sites or domain names.
• Mariemont.com has voluntarily and repeatedly expressed publicly and on its website that it is not connected to the Village government and is an independent site, presenting independent viewpoints and information on Mariemont and surrounding communities. These recurring attempts in the Mayor’s Bulletins to discredit it and diminish it border on libel.
• Mariemont.com existed long before Mariemont.org!

“The publisher of this unofficial website wrote a letter to ODOT in support of running the Eastern Corridor through our South 80 Park – something we have vehemently opposed!”

• Why continue to claim this is an “unofficial” site when it clearly is not Village sponsored nor paid for by the Village?
• What relevance does this comment have to either web site?
• What is the point of these repeated attempts to deride a differing viewpoint?  While some may not agree on the direction or objectives of the Eastern Corridor, it does not prevent one’s freedom of expression. Differences of opinion and the ability to express them are basic rights and recognized as a sign of a healthy democracy! Where is the respect for others’ opinions?

“Our experience with ODOT leads us to believe that they will use this letter against us, saying that it indicates support from Village residents to build the Eastern Corridor which would destroy our historic parkland and possibly cause us to lose our status as a National Historic Landmark by paving over an important historic Native America village site.”

• What experiences with ODOT are being referenced here and why would these lead you to believe ODOT would use the letter against the Village? If you’re going to make these claims, provide FACTS, not opinions, assumptions or innuendos.
• Does anyone seriously believe ONE letter will carry more weight or sway ODOT to act against Village wishes compared to the many opposing letters and opposition groups involved in this project? This is hyperbole at its finest.
• What evidence exists Mariemont could lose its National Historic Landmark designation if the Eastern Corridor is built? Is there a letter from the Interior Department or cite from a federal act verifying this? My review of the National Historic Preservation Act and 36CFP Part 800 – Protection of Historic Properties did not indicate any reasons for losing an historic landmark designation. What’s the basis for this fear-mongering comment?

“What’s more, we have heard rumors that ODOT is using the four-lane Eastern Corridor like a ‘Trojan Horse’ to lay the groundwork for extending I-74 through our community and into Clermont County.”

• Who told you these “rumors?” What evidence or facts were presented to give any substantiation to them? Was any investigation or fact finding conducted to verify or dismiss them?
• Promoting unsubstantiated rumors in a Village sponsored publication would be unsavory and unctuous.

“Can you imagine an expressway running through the South 80 Park?  It would fill our quiet neighborhood with a constant roar of traffic and fill our air with pollution from the large volume of cars passing through.”

• It already exists. What about the traffic, noise and pollution created every day from the 30,000 cars passing through the heart of Mariemont, and next to schools and parks? This is nothing more than pandering to the emotions of opponents to the Eastern Corridor.

“No longer would the South 80 Park and/or the Concourse be places for relaxing and enjoying nature as they were intended.  Because it is prone to flooding, the area could never be used for playfields or a shelter house. “

• Because it’s prone to flooding, does that mean we can’t have the South 80 trails or camp site we’re using today? Schmidt baseball fields, Riverbend music center, and other facilities are located in the flood plain of the Ohio River and are used year after year, flood after flood. Why would the South 80 be any different?

“Obviously the publisher of this letter did not have all the facts or understand the significant ramifications of ODOT’s plans before sending that letter to ODOT.  Now that everyone is aware of how harmful this would be to the Village of Mariemont, we respectfully ask that this letter be rescinded and let ODOT know that, in the best interest of this community, the publisher no longer supports the construction of the Eastern Corridor.  Certainly anyone who cherishes the peace and tranquility that is the Village of Mariemont would not want it replaced with a major expressway! Please let it be known that you do not agree with the statement in the letter to ODOT! “

• What is this obsession with a letter that was written two years ago expressing a differing viewpoint?
• This is nothing more than a BULLYING tactic and attempt to discredit someone who has a difference of opinion.  Surely the Village has not become a community where people cannot disagree or have a difference of opinion?
• Why isn’t the” publisher” mentioned several times in this article ever identified? Fear of libel?

While I initially applauded the purpose of the Mayor’s Bulletin to communicate regularly with residents of the community about issues, events and activities in the community, I cannot condone it for what it has become. It’s time for Mariemont Council and its Solicitor to stop allowing the use of taxpayer money to promote unfounded rumors, unsubstantiated claims, personal vendettas and personal agendas in a Village sponsored and paid publication.

The sky is not falling Chicken Little. it’s just a little thunder!

Mike Lemon