Over $1,000,000 in delinquent income taxes owed to the city of Marion as of 2025

In May 2025, it was announced by the Marion City Auditor’s office that there was over $1,000,000 in delinquent income taxes owed to the city of Marion. That’s a sizeable amount of money, which was legally and lawfully owed to the city of Marion pursuant to its 2% municipal income tax, that has gone uncollected […]

Marion Watch Silent Sabotage Research Prompts Mayor’s Request for Forensic IT Audit

Marion Mayor Bill Collins has formally requested assistance from the Ohio Auditor of State to conduct a full forensic IT audit of the city’s computer systems. The mayor’s request is based on extensive research compiled and submitted by us, Marionwatch.com Investigates. We have recommended the Forensic IT Audit be conducted from the installation of the […]

The $80,000 Catch-22: LWV Candidates-Marion Needs to Fix Finances, But Can Marion Afford the Fix?

The $80,000 Catch-22: Marion Needs to Fix Finances, But Can It Afford the Fix? At a contentious “Candidates Night” hosted by the League of Women Voters, a single, $80,000 question divided the room. For opponents like council candidate Anthony Azaria, the cost to form a city charter commission was an irresponsible gamble for a city […]

Azaria Brings Personal Story of Addiction and Recovery to Sixth Ward Race

Anthony Azaria, the Democratic candidate for Marion’s Sixth Ward Council seat, appeared on a recent episode of the Watchman’s Report to discuss his candidacy, delivering a message deeply rooted in his personal experiences with addiction, recovery, and the daily struggles he witnesses in the community. Joining hosts Cody Higley, Jason Foreman, and Robert Landon, Azaria, […]

The Magna Carta and the Charter: Restoring Local Voice and Accountability

In 1215, a group of English barons stood on the fields of Runnymede and demanded that King John sign a document that would change the course of civilization. That document, the Magna Carta, the “Great Charter”, became one of the cornerstones of liberty and justice. It established a simple yet world-changing truth: no one, not […]

What is A City Charter and Why Does it Matter II

In Part I, I explained the basics of why Marion should adopt a city charter. We looked at how a charter is essentially our own local constitution, a document written by us, approved by us, and amendable only by us. It is the key to improving service delivery, locking transparency into place, and giving voters […]

Aaron Rollins: The Candidate and the Community

Aaron Rollins‘ journey in Marion, Ohio, is a compelling narrative of a political outsider who fought his way onto the city council. His mission: to dismantle a civic structure he viewed as inherently dysfunctional and to navigate an environment plagued by financial chaos and intense partisan division. Rollins appeared on the inaugural Watchmen Report Show […]

What is a Charter City and Why Does it Matter?

Most people have heard the term “city charter,” but not everyone knows what it actually means. A city charter is like the constitution of a city. It lays out how local government works, who holds authority, and how decisions are made. Without it, we just operate under general state law, which often doesn’t reflect the […]