Voices Rise in Marion: Citizens Challenge Leadership on Transit, Transparency, and Governance.
On Monday, a tumultuous Night at Marion City Council: Voices Heard Amidst Deep-Seated Concerns.
Written by marion-watch
Written by marion-watch
Written by marion-watch
Public outcry, officials’ doubts: “No transparency! Funds don’t add up!” Trust is shattered.
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Alleged breaches in legal procedures and policy, given the Charter City ordinance’s significantly amended nature.
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In an increasingly interconnected world, the rapid dissemination of information, particularly through social media platforms, often blurs the lines between fact and fiction. Unverified claims, amplified by shares and comments, can quickly ignite widespread public panic and foster unreasonable assumptions about community safety and the efficacy of local law enforcement.
Such unchecked narratives, if left unaddressed, pose a significant threat to public trust, community cohesion, and effective governance, creating unnecessary division and anxiety.
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A political firestorm is brewing in Marion County as newly elected Commissioner Dr. Mark Davis considers abandoning his post for a new, appointed role as head of economic development—a position some critics allege he helped create for himself. Davis, a respected physician with no background in economic development, has stated there’s a “50/50 chance” he’ll resign, fueling public outrage and questions about his commitment to the voters who elected him.
Community activists are calling it “Marion’s next political soap opera,” with one resident speculating the move is to secure a “fat county paycheck with zero of those pesky constituents.” This controversy unfolds against the backdrop of Marion’s “decades-long disaster zone” of financial mismanagement, often blamed on unqualified officials. With business leaders insisting that “experience counts,” the community is questioning if appointing a doctor to run the economy is a prescription for another costly failure. The debate cuts to the core of leadership, accountability, and whether Marion is doomed to repeat its past mistakes.
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It is with great sadness that the Marion Watch Teams have learned of the passing of hometown hero Kenny Spafford.
Kenny Spafford is a highly recognizable and cherished figure in Marion, Ohio, known for his extensive and dedicated community involvement. Honored as a “Hometown Hero,” his contributions span decades, encompassing formal volunteer roles, participation in numerous charity walks, and consistent personal acts of stewardship like daily litter collection. His deep connection to Marion, coupled with unique personal qualities such as an exceptional memory and a broad social network, have enabled him to foster strong community ties and inspire collective action, solidifying his role as an indispensable pillar of the Marion community.
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In the course of our investigation, we sought direct input from Marion City Council members and other key stakeholders, aiming to capture a comprehensive spectrum of perspectives on Marion CAN DO!’s operations and funding. The insights provided by City Councilors Thaddaeus Smith and Aaron Rollins offer crucial context to the organization’s recent leadership transition and ongoing financial scrutiny.
Councilor Thaddaeus Smith shared his perspective on the council’s decision-making process regarding Marion CAN DO!’s funding:
“So my official on the record response, when the city council, when the new city council, when this came about, it was a discussion that seemed everybody was lobbying for it, there are a few members on the community where it’s against it, a few really seemed like it was a personal vendetta against Gus as a person so I wasn’t interested in allowing that to sway how I voted (at least the first time around) It appears to me the city had for several years been a consistent donar [donor] to can do, just not Gus was at the time was and is pretty good with his words and what he does so I supported it. Here’s more the second time around, they got him as much contention as supporting it as it did the first time, so instead of people not reading, what a lot of good people in the community are saying that they’re not looking at their finances like they do agree that a 501C nonprofit organization that spends 80% of their budget on payroll is a huge waste, and doesn’t lead to economic growth that benefits the community in the long run so we’ll probably longer so we will not be getting what we’re looking for, we haven’t in some time, fortunately now the Mr Collins said what he said now that we plan to look at different options for economic development in our community. Also, it makes sense to me to consider that money on can do was overwhelming, his charter written and on the books will get quite a bit of money from both the county city and the county also multiple private to can do combined, so at this point like can do would be promoting wasteful spending?”
Councilor Aaron Rollins provided a structured set of observations concerning Marion CAN DO!’s historical performance and future direction:
“1. Can-Do served an important function at the time it was founded.
2. Can-Do had no path to self sufficiency and frankly requested negative budgets almost annually.
4. I believe Can-Do knew well in advance about the expiring leases and failed to disclose that knowing it would jeopardize funding.
5. I fully support economic development in the community but think we need to reevaluate what that looks like.
6. There should be a path to self sufficiency or it needs to be brought into city/county government.”
These comments from Councilors Smith and Rollins underscore key themes of financial sustainability, transparency, and the perceived effectiveness of Marion CAN DO!’s operational model from the perspective of city leadership.
Regarding further official commentary, Marion Watch also reached out to Robert Landon. Mr. Landon advised that his detailed comments would be provided in Part II of this series, which will focus exclusively on the financial aspects of Marion CAN DO!.
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In June 2025, the United States witnessed two distinct forms of activities. The “No Kings” protests, a coordinated, nationwide event, saw millions demonstrate against perceived authoritarianism. In Marion, Ohio, a local group exemplified the movement’s grassroots nature, focusing on strengthening democracy in response to civic apathy, with a voter turnout of only 7%. Organizers framed the national protest as a peaceful, ideological stand, reclaiming Flag Day from what they termed the president’s “authoritarian excesses.”
Contemporaneously, Los Angeles erupted in riots, a chaotic and reactive event sparked by large-scale federal raids against transnational criminal organizations. While the government targeted cartel-affiliated criminals, the public perception of indiscriminate immigration enforcement in communities fueled the unrest. The arrest of a prominent labor leader, David Huerta, during these raids escalated localized protests into a national firestorm. The “No Kings” movement was a planned, symbolic political statement, whereas the Los Angeles riots were a spontaneous and violent reaction to aggressive federal law enforcement actions, a clash between a narrative of national security and the reality of community impact. The former was a protest against a would-be king; the latter, a war in the streets.
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Marion Watch’s investigation spotlights the interconnected experiences of Skylar Haberman and community activist Naomi Craig in Marion County. Haberman alleges his child’s welfare is severely compromised in the mother’s care and that a neighbor-initiated protection order is a tool for harassment, resulting in approximately 80 police calls to his home. He claims these calls were then used against him in his custody dispute, which is further complicated by the presiding judge having previously represented his ex-partner—a clear conflict of interest.
This situation intersects with Naomi Craig after Haberman hired her son for lawn work. Subsequently, Craig’s son faced alleged police harassment over a minor, unsubstantiated claim. Craig views this as retaliation, especially given prior police inaction on her own serious reports of threats and attempts by a council member to silence her public concerns.
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On this solemn Memorial Day, as the echoes of Taps drift across hallowed grounds and flags ripple at half-staff, we at Marion Watch join our community, and indeed our nation, in a profound act of remembrance. It is a day set apart, a day to pause from the rush of life and reflect upon the immeasurable cost of freedom – a cost paid in the lives of brave men and women who answered the call to serve, who stood in the breach for us, and who, in the ultimate sacrifice, laid down their lives. As the scriptures tell us, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).1 Today, we honor that greater love.
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The controversial resolution of serious felony charges against Wayne E. Sisson III has intensified public concerns about justice in Marion County. Felonious assault, strangulation, and domestic violence charges, potentially carrying over eight years in prison, were dismissed. Instead, Sisson pleaded to a misdemeanor, receiving 180 days (158 suspended) and two years community control. Given the grave questions this outcome raises, legal and ethics experts consulted by marionwatch.com advise that an independent, thorough review by an appropriate external oversight body—such as the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, or a specially appointed independent prosecutor—is essential to investigate these matters comprehensively, aiming to restore accountability and ensure equitable justice.
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Local attorney Jack Herchel VanBibber is confronting a new wave of serious misconduct allegations, detailed in a “First Amended Complaint” filed on May 15, 2025, by the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Disciplinary Counsel. This follows a May 7, 2024, two-year stayed suspension for previous infractions.
The fresh accusations include profound client neglect, making false statements to courts and investigators, engaging in improper sexual conduct, and repeated failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities. Alarmingly, some alleged new misconduct reportedly began just days after his June 2023 disciplinary hearing for prior issues. The complaint also highlights concerns from the Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program regarding VanBibber’s candor about substance use.
These developments cast a shadow over previous community support, including a 2023 letter from Marion County Prosecutor Raymond Grogan. The new allegations, if substantiated, could trigger VanBibber’s current stayed suspension or lead to more severe sanctions, including disbarment, further intensifying scrutiny of Marion County’s legal system.
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MarionWatch, in collaboration with our national allies such as Jennifer Barton’s team and others unequivocally condemns these abhorrent acts, attributing them to individuals who are “oath breakers”. We stand firm in our support for the relentless pursuit and maximum legal prosecution of those responsible. We, the People, hold the power to demand unwavering transparency, accountability, and truth. This has tragically evolved into a nationwide crisis with a deadliness comparable to the very addiction it was initially intended to combat.
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Ultimately, ensuring council adheres to these principles may require sustained public engagement. Marion Watch encourages residents to attend future meetings – because if we, the people, do not speak up now, our grounds to complain about what happens next are diminished.
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This analysis examines the legality of excluding a Marion, Ohio council member from meetings due to whistleblower actions, and closing meetings to discuss related matters. A leaked audio recording features Twila Laing and Mayor Bill Collins discussing Councilman Jason Schaber’s exclusion and closing meetings, actions prompted by Schaber’s alleged whistleblowing on unlawful or unethical activities.
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As a watchdog for our community, MarionWatch has received disturbing reports concerning addiction treatment facilities in Marion, particularly First Step Recovery.
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Part I: Robert Landon: Timing, Resources, and Political Motivation in the 2019 Marion City Auditor Election Executive Summary This report examines the circumstances surrounding the criminal charges filed against Robert Landon during his successful 2019 campaign for City Auditor in Marion, Ohio. Landon, a Republican candidate, was charged with misdemeanor election law violations concerning the […]
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Please find below a PDF of an article from 2019. With our newest investigation nearing completion after nearly 5 months, we wanted to make this available to anyone who hasn’t had a chance to read it. The media mentioned in the article can be found by clicking the URL/hyperlinks. We have enabled file downloads to […]
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Justice Questioned in Marion County: An Investigation into Prosecutor Ray Grogan’s Case Handling Introduction: Scrutiny on the Marion County Prosecutor’s OfficeSetting the Scene Marion County, Ohio, a community known for its rich history and as the birthplace of Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn, operates within Ohio’s established legal framework.1 Central to its local justice system is the […]