Dear Vice President Vance, I am angry, but we are not them!

      In the aftermath of the tragic assassination of the founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, many of us, including me, feel a rage inside that has been building for over a year since the attempt on the life of former and now current President Donald Trump. Most of us have endured being called Fascists, Racists, and, of course, the ever-popular Hitler. But we mostly avoided violence, because we are not them!

     Today, you have called for a National Day of Doxing against the individuals who have made some of the most vile comments about Mr. Kirk. I am disgusted by their actions. Yes, there has been doxing, and many people have, and more will lose their jobs and have their lives turned upside down. However, perhaps we need to put the brakes on that for a straightforward reason: We are not them!

     Personally, when this happened, I said to myself, if anyone calls me a fascist or anything like that, I will pick up a brick and strike them with it, because of my built-up anger. But I won't, because I am not them! Many of those on the right feel the same way, but instead of reacting with violence, no stores were looted, no cities burned down,  we just prayed and provided sympathy for the family, because we are not them!

     When I refer to them, I am not focusing on Democrats or Liberals; I am talking about the extremists, the hate-filled morons that are gathering attention. A recent Network Contagion Research poll indicated that 55% of the Democratic Party believes violence is acceptable. But we forget that 45% would never advocate for that, and most of those are appalled at the increasing level of political violence growing in this country. The Democratic Leadership, who for months have called for violence against Republicans, may have put us past the tipping point with this assassination, but hopefully not.

     As an example of the polarized society we live in, I have to relay an encounter that took place several months ago, at the local brewery, The Wrecking Crew. I will admit that I don't go there often; it's a bit too artsy, but it is a cool place with great people working there and fun customers. This particular day, however, put some extreme and ignorant views on full display.

      I have known this couple for a couple of years, and we are Facebook friends, despite their extreme liberal views. I did what I always do with everyone I know: I smiled and said hi. The glare they two of them gave me would melt steel as they turned their back to me and sat as far away as possible. Looking back, I am surprised they didn't just call me Adolf. I just rolled my eyes and then continued to talk to the people I was with. This couple was them!

     Since I don't unfriend people, I recently saw that the wife posted a poem about not begging to sit at anyone's table, along with some other nonsense. She never mentioned her shunning those she disagrees with, beyond her phony self-righteousness. I will answer her by mentioning who sits at my table. That would be anyone who wants to, and they never have to ask; they sit down. They are Republicans, Democrats, independents, Christians, Jews, Muslims, and even Goths. We coexist with respect, because none of us is them!

      Those who know me well will acknowledge I am a bit difficult at times, and many local city officials do not like me, especially after calling them out for dropping the ball in a sexual abuse case that went on for 29 years. However, the one I do get along with and I consider her a friend is a Democrat. I don't judge her political views because I don't care; I see her as a great person because she and her family are not them.

      What I am trying to say is that the country is now a powder keg, and yes, many on the left have continuously demonized people they disagree with. While alive, Charlie Kirk faced violent attacks by violent left-wing extremists such as Antifa, but he still went back to have conversations and to open a dialogue. He had often said, "When people stop talking, that is when violence happens!" The reason he had that view is that he was not one of them!

     Like many of us, I would love to see those assholes mocking his death get their just due, and yes, I will admit to laughing while watching the videos of those who did lose their jobs crying about it. However, maybe it is time to move beyond a day of doxing and instead, as Charlie Kirk would say, let's sit down and talk, getting to know each other. I know my table is always open to anyone!

    Mr. Vice President, we must never forget, we are not them!

    

     

The Brunswick Sex Abuse Scandal: Decades of Police Failures!

                

     Abraham Lincoln once said, "To sin by silence makes cowards of men! (And Women)" The late President's quote could become a metaphor for the failures of both the Brunswick police and some city officials, while unbundling the details of the Brunswick sex abuse scandal involving foster children.

     While convicted sex offender, Dale Martz, has been sent off to prison to begin his ten years to life sentence, closing the legal side of the abuse scandal, performing a case autopsy is vital in understanding how these victims flew under the radar without protection for over 20 years from the local authorities. How could this travesty have occurred, and what can we do to prevent a similar occurrence in the future? That is just one of the numerous unanswered questions that demand answers.

     To comprehend the enormity of this case, one only needs to draw a parallel with the charges in one of the most high-profile sex abuse cases in recent memory at Penn State University, which ended the career of legendary football coach Joe Paterno, involving his former Assistant Football Coach Jerry Sandusky. Although that case was well-publicized, there are eerie similarities to the Brunswick situation that warrant attention and scrutiny.

     Jerry Sandusky's conviction on a 53-count indictment of sexual abuse of minors resulted in a prison sentence of 30 to 60 years. For comparison, Dale Martz, before a plea deal, faced 20 counts of rape and gross sexual imposition of minors, but his original indictment was 80 counts, 23 more than Sandusky's.

     A further alignment is the time frame. Jerry Sandusky's indictment in 2012 centered on allegations dating back to 1998. However, after his conviction, evidence was unearthed that children were making allegations as far back as the mid-1970s. For Dale Martz, the charges dated back to 1996, 29 years before he pled guilty.

     However sad these comparisons are, the next one is tragic and should provoke anger throughout the community.

     During Sandusky's reign of terror, the police and local protective services investigated the allegations numerous times, but for years, they failed to take action. Allegations emerged that those in power at Penn State intervened on multiple occasions to halt the inquiries. Although three administrators received short jail sentences, many secrets of who controlled the investigations were never revealed.

     With Dale Martz, the Brunswick Police were called several times by several of the foster children alleging abuse, and once, when a neighbor called. Additionally, Job and family services of Medina intervened, yet neither acted for many years, all the while, the abuse continued.

      In the aftermath of Martz's conviction, one of the victims has alleged nepotism within the confines of Brunswick City Hall, which may have played a part in Dale escaping justice for so long. Currently, there is some anecdotal evidence supporting this claim, and it will be examined more thoroughly in a future story.

     As a former City Councilman and someone who once chaired the Safety Forces committee, I had some insight into the culture of this department. Add to that my years as a mental health advocate, during which I worked with some high-quality police departments that involved Crisis Intervention programs, which allows me to speak with some authority about the failures of the Brunswick Police.

      One trend that became apparent is that this department tends to marginalize certain groups of people when they seek assistance. This action occurs for a variety of reasons, whether due to race, socioeconomic status, or for individuals such as me who faced mental health challenges. Since these were foster kids from troubled backgrounds, some of them were minorities and suffered from mental health issues. At the same time, evidence indicates that up until Martz's 2024 arrest, the police dismissed the previous abuse claims of these foster kids.       

     For years, I have been sounding the alarm about inadequacies and cultural issues within the Brunswick Police Department, only to be met with silence, ridicule, and scorn. I struggled to explain to city officials that marginalized people deserved equal protection and a chance at fairness, only to be ignored. Strangely, no one from the city ever asked me what caused my pessimistic view of this department.

        When seeking accountability within this department, it is crucial to note that the current Police Chief, Robert Safran, has been with the department since 1998 and was appointed to his current position in May 2024. He was with the force during that period when Martz was terrorizing some of his foster children. When I confronted Safran with this case, he accused me of anti-police bias and of spreading disinformation, among other issues. What was conspicuous was that he never explained why the children's allegations were ignored for so long.

      Also, the current City Manager, Carl Deforest, served as police chief during some of those events. Like others, he has yet to explain why this case was allowed to linger for so many years, enabling further abuse. These police actions and inactions will face additional scrutiny in the future.

     Although many have ignored issues within the department, as someone who this division has marginalized, I did not remain mute. I attempted for years to get the attention of city officials regarding problems with the department, only to be rebuffed. Several officials who ignored my efforts are complicit in this failure to protect these children. At the end of this story, there is a link to a column I wrote on Cleveland.com in 2014, advocating for changes and understanding within the Brunswick Police Department. The response from then-Chief Carl Deforrest was to label the story as reckless. However, he never denied its veracity.

     Phone calls and emails to Mayor Ron Falconi, Council members Joe Delsanter, Nick Hanek, Brandon Lambert, Tim Smith, and former Councilman and current County Auditor Tony Capretta were ignored, and none made an effort to investigate my concerns. One question that no one can answer is if these officials took the time to understand my claims and recognize that people perceived as different still deserve to be treated with respect, perhaps someone may have taken the previous abuse claims more seriously. If they had, these allegations from the children may have been taken more seriously, and could that have made a difference in this case? There will never be an answer to that question.

     For disclosure, Ron Falconi did once meet with me, but I left his office feeling the need to check that my wallet was still in my pocket. He spoke in circles and foolishly tried to con a con man, which ended the meeting with no resolution. Also, Years ago, Nick Hanek did return a call, but there is no evidence that he investigated my claims about the police, nor did he push for any cultural reforms.

     As mentioned previously, there will be follow-ups in this story as more information becomes available. In the meantime, I have a message for Chief Safran, Carl DeForest, Ron Falconi, Nick Hanek, Tony Capretta, and Brandon Lambert. When examining culpability in the case's failures and the suffering of these children, there is plenty of blame to go around, including one that stares back at each of you when you look in the mirror.

Can ya'll hear me now?

    

 Brunswick Police; Incompetence, Stupidity, or Bigotry? - cleveland.com  

 

Guilty plea in the Brunswick Sexual Abuse Case!

      The simple words rocked the courtroom like an earthquake; "My life starts over today, "as Shanice Hawthorne spoke at the sentencing phase as her foster Father, Dale Martz, pled guilty to 19 counts of rape and one gross sexual imposition of her and her siblings. The long and painful nightmare the children faced had finally ended. However, the wounds they suffered will linger for a lifetime.

     While Martz sat stoically with no emotion, a second child forcibly said that she hoped he would rot and die in prison to pay for the lives he ruined. A third victim who had previously come forward declined to attend the trial.

     With his guilty plea, Martz, 63, formerly of Miller Drive in Brunswick, was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison. If released, he, as a tier 3 sex offender, will be forced to register with local authorities for life. This plea deal spared Martz a trial that could have seen him sent to prison for life. His wife, Laura, is currently serving a one-year sentence for attempted strangulation of another foster child and is due for release in January 2026.

     The 20 individual charges against Martz date back nearly 30 years and chronicle a system of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. At the same time, he and his wife acted as foster parents for about 19 different children, and it remains unclear if others faced this type of abuse. Over the years, complaints made to the Brunswick police and County Children's Protective Services have yielded no prior evidence of these alleged criminal acts. It was not until Shanice, along with assistance from the local police, recorded Dale admitting to these atrocities.

     This case puts a spotlight on how many at-risk kids in the foster care system can become easy prey for those with sinister motives, whether it is sexual or financial. The sex abuse scandal at Penn State saw a high-profile football coach, Jerry Sandusky, sexually abuse children for over three decades before he was finally stopped and is currently serving a life sentence for those crimes.

      Because many of these children come from dysfunctional backgrounds, it is difficult for the public to grasp the challenges they face. A prime example of the complexities of the foster care programs, Shanice chillingly called the verdict bittersweet. She said that, though this was a nightmarish life to live, it was still the only family she had ever known while growing up, and now she once again feels like an orphan. That can be an eye-opening indictment of the foster care system.

     This case is still a developing story, and there will be some updates and a further examination of how the system failed these kids. I invite people to comment and discuss this case.  

Brunswick sex abuse scandal set for trial!

       On Friday, March 14, 2025, Judge William F. Hutson declared Dale Martz of Brunswick competent to stand trial on nineteen charges of statutory rape and one count of Gross Sexual imposition involving his foster children. Martz, 62, has been held at the Medina County Jail since his arrest in April of 2024. His trial date is scheduled for June 16, 2025.

     Some of these charges date back to 1996 and as recent as 2012; however, it is critical to add that the victim in the case had gone to the police on numerous occasions, filing 11 police reports dating back to 2006, and no charges were ever brought. Additionally, the victim's sibling sought help from Children Protect Services, leading to one child being removed from the home.

     Laura Martz, Dale's wife, as the result of a plea deal, was recently sentenced to one year in prison for attempted strangulation of a foster child. She currently resides in the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio.

     This is a developing story; updates will be provided as the case travels through the court system. 

Mental Illness, Westlake, and the politics of Bigotry!

This is a rewrite of a story from 2015 when I warned people about the dangers of the Westlake Police. Recently, there was an incident that appears racially motivated, and this is a reminder that this department has not learned a thing. Also, though I was complimentary in this story, the current Police Chief, Kevin Bielozer, has turned out to be a disgrace. 

     Recently, a severely mentally ill woman, Tanisha Anderson, died in the midst of a crisis call with the Cleveland Police, which has once again put a spotlight on police contacts with this misunderstood group. The coroner reported that Tanisha died of a heart condition, which is likely the result of her illness. There has been a rush to judgment on her death and some unfair scrutiny of the Cleveland police.

     For over a decade, I have been involved with Crisis Intervention Team training, which is a blueprint for de-escalating police encounters with the mentally ill. I have witnessed firsthand that the Cleveland police have been an ambitious participant in this program. However, this event opened up wounds from my past experiences with one local law enforcement agency, the Westlake Police, whose actions can best be labeled as emotional brutality.

    Bigotry is “the possession or expression of intense, unreasonable prejudices, or opinions.” Individuals, such as myself, who suffer the indignity of being diagnosed with mental illness often face a painful backlash when others either find evidence or witness the symptoms of our affliction. In the Westlake Police Department, they have brazenly expressed a culture of ignorance towards those diagnosed with one of these conditions, which lit the fuse of unchecked discrimination.

     The storyline was that a former business associate of mine began a series of allegations against me, which were later proven to be fictitious. His weapon of choice was, first and foremost, my diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. The Westlake police were more than pleased to assist him and began to call me routinely in for questioning. It was here that no matter how much I implored them to leave me alone, they continued their emotional assault. It is important to point out that despite their best efforts, they were never able to identify any nefarious activity which was the basis for the accusations.

     During these “interrogations,” I attempted to file claims of possible criminal activity committed by the accuser. It was at this point in the timeline that the bigotry of the Westlake police came to light. On three occasions, the police denied me the right to file a report. I felt like Jesus did when St Peter denied him on three different occasions in biblical teachings. It bears mentioning that there are over three hundred million citizens in this country, and all are free to protect themselves by filing reports for help, except for those diagnosed as mentally ill in Westlake Ohio.

     In follow-up calls to the police, I was referred to as a “psycho” in much the same context as the “N” word would be used in a racist manner. A Captain Guy Turner seemed to find glee in mocking and demeaning my plight. He even ran interference for the then Chief of Police Richard Walling and would never allow me to speak with him. It became painfully evident that the police culture in this community was exposed as one of arrogance and stupidity.

     In an effort to find a different avenue for protection, I contacted the community leaders. It was with this cast of characters that the old saying that “A fish rots from the head first” was on full display. It was here that the root cause of their discriminatory practice going unchallenged was exposed, which is the city leadership’s inability to look past their own phony self-righteousness. 

     First on the list was Mayor Dennis Clough, who boasts a Harvard Education but did not even seem to understand that the word bigotry extends far beyond racial boundaries. He has made a career working in Government, and it has been alleged that he has used local public sector jobs as his family’s personal employment agency. My conversations with him were visceral at best, and he kept telling me I could write a letter, which he insisted was as good as a police report. He never once answered the question as to why I was prohibited from filing a complaint like the other 300 million plus citizens of this country.

      Next, I contacted the President of City Council Mike Killeen. He did nothing but become demeaning and claimed he is an expert on police work. When I attempted to explain that I was also elected to the city council, he would just rudely interrupt. This encounter with him reminded me of an old southern sheriff from the 1940’s speaking with a black family who came into the local police station to report a crime against them. The one that would ask the father, “boy, what is your problem?”

    Finally, I contacted then Councilwomen and current State Representative Nan Baker. She spent her time boorishly describing what a superhero she is and that there had ‘never’ been a problem with their department. Like the others, she became very demeaning and reminded me that the mentally ill can be dangerous. Out of all of them, she was, without question, the most disgusting, and she kept claiming she was not bigoted. I kept waiting for her to defend her actions by insisting, “Some of my (her) best friends have a mental illness.”

     There is one common denominator, and that is, all refused to address the police refusing to allow me the right to protect myself. To all of them, I was viewed as some weak, crazy individual who did not deserve their efforts. It appears their real ambition in life is to live in a gated community as a means to avoid those not deemed part of their “moral universe”.

     In thenn attempted to contact then State Senator Bob Spada, who was known to be a strong advocate for those afflicted with mental illness. It is important to acknowledge that both he and his wife should be commended for the great deal of time and resources they have provided as advocates to eliminate the stigma of these conditions. However,  I was to soon discover that politics overrides the needs of those who suffer the indignity of being stigmatized by those he categorizes as favorable politicians.

     My reason for contacting the office of Senator Spada was not only for help, but to try and understand his supporting Nan Baker in her run for the Statehouse, when she has shown such disdain for those in need. Surprisingly, my calls were ignored, as I became invisible to him. I was disappointed to learn that in spite of his advocacy, he acted as if my illness made me unbefitting of his efforts.

     Undeterred, and ironically at a luncheon that was supporting a cause to eliminate the stigma of mental illness, I was able to confront Senator Spada. He responded by defending Nan Baker and informing me that there were “more important issues than bigotry.” His response left me both speechless and shocked. Even more bizarre was he then insisted that he and I have our picture taken together.

     After being a victim of both bigotry and emotional police brutality, this inspired my personal advocacy. I had decided that no one should be treated in such a manner as I was during those early dark days of recovery. Over the years since, I volunteered a great deal of time and effort in working with local police departments on the issues of their contacts with the mentally ill. I have likely been involved in the training of nearly 1,000 police officers throughout Northeastern Ohio and that work continues to this very day. I have developed mutual respect with countless police officers, but none from Westlake, which I classify as a “rogue” department.

     As time went by, I would attempt to discuss this issue with them, but to no avail. One Lieutenant whom I ounce spoke with said, “we were just talking about you the other day” then proceeded to laugh and hang up. What else would one expect from a police department who found it funny to use someone's pet for personal target practice, when they shot and killed a family dog.

     Recently, I decided it was time to discover if the culture of stupidity that permeated this department was still moving full speed ahead. First stop, the Mayor.

     Mayor Clough still did not grasp the notion that demeaning people because of illness was both improper and discriminatory. He once again refused to explain this departments denying me the right to ask them for protection. He continued to ask me why I didn’t call the police chief, and told him, that I could not get past Captain Turner, who, as I repeatedly told him, refused to put my call through. He went so far as to threaten that I could face criminal charges if I did, in fact, write a critical story about his police department. Perhaps he was asleep in his Harvard Civics class when they discussed the First Amendment right to freedom of speech..

     Calls to State Representative Nan Baker were expectedly ignored. She practices one of the cowardly forms of bigotry by turning her object of disdain invisible. In her defense, I am sure she was busy passing tax breaks in the statehouse to benefit her family business while continuously slashing the budget for suicide prevention programs.

     An email to Robert Spada, now President of the National Alliance on Mental illness of Ohio, NAMI, resulted in his developing a selective memory and he could not imagine that he spoke anything such as what he said to me. He also claimed that Mayor Clough and Representative Baker were quality individuals.

     To further examine the current zeitgeist of the Westlake Police, one needs only to read their annual report of their 2014 activity. This document was a masterpiece of political spin, and the author could have used their talents to elect the currently imprisoned O.J. Simpson as the next Pope. The highlight of this narration was spotlighting the efforts of Captain Guy Turner to eat his donuts at a local church. Rumor has it that his efforts have negatively impacted the stock price of Dunkin’ Donuts.

     The one positive to emerge from my recent inquiries was I did receive a call from the current police Chief Kevin Bielozer, who it must be conceded, was genuinely respectful. The only person on their police force or at City Hall who treated me in that manner. He informed me that the department now had 4 officers trained in CIT. However, they did not receive that training till 2013, a full decade after nearly every police department in Northeast Ohio embraced this program. In his defense, he did not become police chief until February of 2014. It is painfully evident that during my encounters, they had no one properly trained to understand that not everyone struggling with mental illness has villainous ambitions.

     What became of that former business associate whom Captain Turner and company held in high esteem? Besides being dragged into court over twenty times for non-payment of child support for his three kids, he had his Securities License suspended for five years by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for among numerous reasons, “Lack of Good business Repute.” However, he still occupies an office in Westlake and never faced the scrutiny of the local Police.

     Little doubt remains that the culture of arrogance that Westlake previously displayed has changed very little, and the police still exhibit a high level of reluctance to understand mental illness. Captain Turner, between rotating where he consumes his donuts, will likely continue to find brevity in degrading those not members of Westlake’s socioeconomic class.

     In conclusion, I have a message for Mayor Clough, Councilman Killeen, Captain Guy Turner and State Representative Nan Baker. The cross you burned in my yard may have only been metaphorical, but it still burns as a symbol of ignorance and exclusion. That is nothing for any of you, the police department or your community to hold up as a symbol of pride. The cross you (Westlake Police) burned in my yard may have only been metaphorical, but it still burns as a symbol of ignorance and exclusion.

.

 

 

Sentencing in the Brunswick Abuse Case!

     In a silent, nearly packed courtroom, while facing the Judge, the young lady recounted the abuse that led to charges brought against her foster mother, who pled guilty to attempted strangulation of her foster brother. Standing twenty feet from the defendant, and with a strong voice, she described the pain she and her sibling suffered from her unwarranted attack, which has left them both emotionally scared.

     After she sat down, Judge Susan Kimbler sentenced Laura Martz, 62, her foster mother, to a one-year prison term with two additional years of probation for this felony. After being removed from the courtroom in handcuffs, one chapter of an ongoing abuse scandal rocking the City of Brunswick came to a close. However, more are on the docket.  

     On January 13^th, Dale Martz, husband of Laura, filed a motion that he was now not competent to stand trial for 19 counts of statutory Rape and one count of Gross Sexual Imposition involving his foster children. Martz, incarcerated since May in the Medina County jail,  has been unable to post a half-million dollar cash bond and could be facing life in prison.

     This is an ongoing and developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. 

First Guilty verdict in Brunswick Foster child abuse case!

       On November 21, 2024, 61-year-old Laura Martz of Miller Dr. in Brunswick pleaded guilty to attempted strangulation of one of her foster children during a hearing in the Medina County Court of Common Pleas. Martz faces anywhere from probation to 18 months in jail for this plea to a fourth-degree felony.

     Though this resolves her case, it is part of a much broader abuse case pending against her husband concerning his work as a foster father.

     On April 3, 2024, a Grand Jury Indicted Dale Martz, 62, for nineteen counts of rape and one count of Gross Sexual Imposition involving his foster children, with the allegations dating back to 1996. After failing to post a half-million-dollar bond, Martz has been incarcerated at the county jail since his arrest. His trial date is currently scheduled for January 13, 2025.

     These allegations stem from Martz’s being foster parents to a reported 19 different children, though it is unclear how many are making the rape allegations.

As this story evolves, it will be updated with more information.