Posted by Jim on 5/11/02

12:36pm - An article from The Dispatch:

This article doesn't apply to New Rome.  The law was obviously in my favor and the law didn't work.

OPOC sent us another limerick.
 
 
 
 

OPOC rocks!

1:26pm - Well big story is the front page of The Columbus Dispatch.

Great article.  I'm glad Steve Stephens is back writing about New Rome.

On another note I had an interview with Radio U 88.7FM today at 7:30am.  It was very good.  I will be making it into a sound file for all to listen to.

I can't wait till the next meeting.  I'm going to see if I can stir things up a little bit.

7:18pm - A picture sent in to us:

Jim says:

Too funny!

2:25pm - Well the report says what we all know.  New Rome needs to be dissolved!  Go figure.  No big News Flash there.  Lets see if anyone in the State tries to do something now.

1:24pm - Where we have all been waiting for!  I haven't even read it yet.  It is in PDF in case you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader.

12:36pm - The meeting wasn't all that interesting.  Jim Petro wasn't there as was expected to be and his report is being released today.  There was the usual bickering.  Jamie tried to replace one of the council members who has never been to a meeting and of course the old school council was fighting him on it.  The old council requested that the solicitor hire a Federal Investigator to go after Jamie on election fraud.  They just don't get it.

Ed Anthony hinted that Petro would give them a "public spanking."  I can't wait to see it.

4:09pm - WBNS has a little about the auditor visiting New Rome:

I think the only way New Rome can take any steps forward is to dissolve.  The following is an article about Valleyview:
 
 

This is refreshing.  People who actually step forward to control their town!  If the people in New Rome would do this we could all rest easy.
 

2:19pm - New Rome Council meeting tonight at 6pm!  The auditor will be there to deliver his report.  Hope to see you there!

11:03am - Back from a fun filled weekend!  The Plain Dealer had the article about New Rome on Friday though they messed the URL up.

Very good article!  Michael did a great job of it!

12:19pm - Fun article from MSNBC about New Rome.

If they are gone before our next march I wouldn't be disappointed.  We could have a celebration then!

Speaking of march!  As of now the next march will be Saturday August 17th at noon.

Jim,
Hello, I am a former New Rome Police Officer I worked for New Rome for two years.
I just want to express some concerns that I have, for instance we were and they are not terrorists in any way shape or form (Websters NewWorld Dictionary).
I'm not going to slam your web site because it's your right too give your opinion.  But you here all of these alleged horror stories and "Tales of Woe" about supposed victims being "Harrassed" and "Intimidated".
Well if you review titles 45 through 49 of the Ohio Revised Code it will tell you what we can and cannot (as Police Officers) do.  When I worked there we worked by the law enforcing state and village laws primarily traffic.
If the people who had received traffic citations for example: No head lights on, plates belonging to another vehicle or driving on suspended license and other motor vehicle infractions would just have corrected the matter to begin with, they wouldn't have received a citation.
They have never while I was an Officer there practice "Random stops" but did "Random Runs" which IS ENCOURAGED by the State of Ohio and the dept. of motor vehicles and is UPHELD by the State of Ohio Constitution.
New Rome is not the only agency that participates in that particular aspect of traffic enforcement, Ohio State Patrol, Columbus Police Department and agencies as well.
The Officers who work there now and worked there then were good Officers.  We are not illeterate or corrupt.  I cannot speak for the people and clerks who have served before me in the past.
Thank you for your time.

Jeff

Jim says:

I hear what you are saying Jeff and I agree with most of it.  The titles, for instance, may say what a Police Officers can and cannot do but that doesn't mean they don't break them.  Who is going to punish them if they do?  Most people don't know what cops can and can't do.  They are put in a position of trust and authority.  Most people don't know what to do when that is abused and they are afraid to confront them about it.  You just don't go up to a king and tell him you think he's doing a bad job.  The fact is New Rome PD doesn't answer to anyone.  The State and County both said that all complaints are handled internally and Cunningham himself said that he disregards complaints called in.  He wants them delivered in writing in person.  You mention they handle primarily traffic.  Traffic is the only law New Rome enforces.  Anything more serious is handled by the Franklin County Sheriff.  This was also confirmed by them.

As for their "Random runs" I don't see sitting on the side of the road calling in as many plates as possible random.  You  can tell me until you're blue in the face how it's legal, but the Highway Patrol said it's a highly unusual practice.  True random would be you pull up behind a car and decide to run it.  And as for New Rome not being the only one I would   agree.  I'm sure other agencies do it all the time, but they also do OTHER police work such as murder, robbery, rape, and so on.  They don't patrol 3 block areas trying to find someone breaking any traffic law either.  What other police force do you know that has a 1 police to 14 residents ratio?  You don't find that high for such a small village?  You don't find anything wrong with them making up 95% of their budget through traffic enforcement?  That is $450,000 and they haven't used a red dime to improve the Village as the council admits itself.

I respect and admire that you are standing up for New Rome PD.  I'm sure you did know good officers who were your friends, but that doesn't stop the fact that they are doing wrong and they need to be stopped.  I had someone else mail me who was a former NR Officer and he said the whole problem is the Chief and Lt. Kerr.  Maybe that is true, but something have to be done if they want to continue to function as a Village.

12:26pm - The most recent (April 29th) WestSide Messenger reports State Auditor Jim Petro office completed  the New Rome audit.  A private report will be given to the council and administration on April 29 and a public report will be given at the public meeting on May 7th at 6pm and Petro is expected to attend.  Sounds like fun!

10:41pm - Check out the National Motorists Association Ohio website.

You will find a review of the book Ohio Traffic Tickets are for the Birds by Jonathan Wolk.  I may have to get a copy!

10:02pm - Ok we are back on track!  Now to share a fun picture from OPOC:

Funny stuff.

9:55pm - If you sent me mail since Saturday please resend it because there is a good chance I didn't get it.  We just got mail services working again and should be back in full swing.

6:23pm - I have a couple pictures sent in by George:

5:28pm - Stories of our take down are greatly over exaggerated!  ha ha ha  Our host had some serious server problems the last few days.  Hopefully it won't happen again!  Sorry for the disruption.

7:46pm - Another reader writes in -
 
 
 

Jim says:

That is GREAT!  Thanks a lot OPOC!  Anymore poets out there?

8:34pm - A reader wrote this about New Rome:

"A DESCENT INTO SUCKERY"

What have we here
In this tiny place?
A sad aberration
Or the devil's own face?
Too many dicks
Ever on prowl,
Making silly arrests
While the poor victims howl?
Good intentions gone sour,
Or a bunch of dumb clucks?
However you slice it
Old New Rome sucks.

Dear Jim:  Keep that howling machine crankin'.
                        Good luck,
                        John

Jim says:

Very nice!  Anyone else have any poems they would like to contribute?
 

10:16am - One of our readers brought this article to my attention:

According to the article Pete Beagle lost his job as part-time solicitor for Kirkersville.  I must say that I hope people start to realize that this guy is bad news.  One day no one will want him working for them because he is associated with New Rome.  That's can't be a good thing to put on your resume.
 
 

We need to get one of the rich people in Columbus to buy up New Rome so Prairie Townships Fire Dept. can "practice" burning it down.  Wouldn't that be some fun?  I bet we could buy up New Rome for a lot less than 20 million too.

10:15am - I have had several mails that Columbus Monthly has a nice article about New Rome.  I haven't got a copy yet, but am looking to once I find who sells it.

This editorial just mentions New Rome, but I thought it was funny.  They said "If there were 100 murders per year in New York, it would be a miracle; 100 per year in New Rome would be a disaster."

If there were a hundred murder in New Rome there wouldn't be a Village.  Hell they would be 40 people in the hole!  Though I'm sure the Police Dept could still make money.  They don't need any residents to collect fines.

1

6:16pm - A New Rome Cop writes in:

You People are the biggest bunch of losers in America.  To those Columbus Officers I have talked to who have written in to you people, I asked you this question, " How would Chief Jackson Feel about his officers bashing fellow law enforcement officers?  Well I guess he would not care since half of his officers are locked up for shooting their wives or being sued by the D.O.J.  And those "Deputies"  who work in the jail who constantly bad mouth New Rome, How would Karnes feel about that, oh wait, he wouldn't care either since his deputies run people off the road and hurt innocent people.  HMMM, New Rome does the highway patrols job in a miniature way, giving you people tickets, or they could just shoot you or run you off the road.  I think you cowards would pick the ticket huh.  Well Jimbo, I have to go, but I will see you when you break another traffic law and go into warrant, see you at work!
 
 

Jim says:

Something about this kind of mail make me laugh.  First thing is this: people across America hates New Rome.  I have   yet to see anyone try to defend them publicly.  When so many people dislike you what does that tell you?  Maybe you're the real losers.  New Rome does the highway patrols job in a miniature way?!?  You ARE insane!  I don't see a highway patrol car sitting every 1000 feet of any road in Ohio.  As for seeing me when I break another traffic law and go into warrant: don't hold your breath Barney.  I won't be driving in New Rome any time soon so I don't think I have to worry   about that.