New Rome, Ohio wasn’t built in a day. Much like when the Roman Empire fell from democracy to tyranny, a newly elected mayor of this Franklin County village of 60 is fighting certain elements that wish to keep a hold onto their own imperial nest egg.
This village, nestled just west of 1-270 and south of West Broad Street, has recently had trouble maintaining that any of its government officers are actually legally serving their positions.
At least it is clear who the village’s mayor is: Jamie Mueller was elected last November with 100 percent of the six votes cast.
The problem is none of the members of the New Rome Village Council wished to recognize Mueller as mayor, instead voting to install their own mayor, Christopher Gamble.
Forget about Bush vs. Gore: This is a real election controversy.
Eventually, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien stepped in and demanded Gamble step aside. In response, all of the Village Council members threatened to resign, although only one actually did so – council member Valerie Tucker Gamble, wife of Christopher Gamble.
But the council remains in power and in control of New Rome’s $400,000 budget, comprised mainly of revenue from traffic tickets, for now.
Many longtime residents of the village have resisted welcoming Mueller with open arms. New Rome’s citizenry’s sentiments toward its new mayor came to a head on Saturday when Mueller had to leave 15 minutes into an open meeting because he was unable to control the crowd from shouting and making angry accusations.
The clock seems to be ticking on imperial New Rome’s reign.
Now the council is under investigation by O’Brien’s office: See, none of the council members were actually elected. They were appointed by one another and none of these appointments were registered with the Franklin County Board of Elections. In fact, until Mueller, no official from New Rome had registered with the board of elections since 1979.
Franklin County Auditor Joe Testa is also conducting his own investigation into whether the village’s spending plan – approved by the unelected, unregistered council members – is legal.
It is hard to believe that, in this day and age, even a small town could operate without legitimate elections under the radar of the county’s watch. Franklin County and just about everyone in New Rome deserves their embarrassment.
But the final lesson is this: New Rome council members may have been able to create their own empire for a while, but eventually abuses of power will catch up with you.
Jason Mann is the editor of The Lantern. Chewbacca is his favorite Wookie. He can reached with very long arms or at [email protected].
