Mansfield, Ohio- Does it Still Burn?

Back in October, I wrote a blog concerning the 42 acts of arson within the city of Mansfield, Ohio. Interestingly, it became my most viewed blog to date. Even more interesting was the fact that the majority of viewers were not from Mansfield, nor has one comment been received. From June to October we averaged an act of arson every 3.2 days.

The City of Mansfield was coincidentally attempting to pass a safety levy which would hire 3 additional firefighters. The suspicion arose as perhaps the acts of arson were somehow an inside job. On Saturday, November 3rd, we had 2 fires with abandoned buildings setting 3 feet apart. The fires diminished near the voting on November 6th, when the safety levy failed to pass.

So we now have 44 acts of arson within 6 months.

In October, I raised several questions:

• Why wasn’t the State of Ohio or Federal assistance summoned to assist in the investigation?

• Why hasn’t our Mayor or Fire Chief sought community meetings seeking information and vigilance?

• Why has no one come forward with information in lieu of a $5,000 reward?

Some citizens believe the acts were inside fires started to instill fear in the levy voters. Some residents feel it is another typical Mansfield, Ohio cover-up. Some believe it was someone seeking a firefighter job by promoting fear.

Late in October, I contacted a news reporter with our local paper. No response. I left messages. No response. Why?

On Thursday November 1^st, the local newspaper ran a story featuring the local Firefighters Union. The Union announced donating $1,000 to the existing $5,000 reward offered by the Ohio Blue Ribbon Arson Committee for information leading to the arrest of the arsonist(s).

The Union also stated it would form a coalition of citizens, service organizations, church groups and neighborhood watch groups to assist in dealing with the acts of arson.

I thought that was interesting since I questioned this back in October.

Within the same interview it was noted the Mansfield Fire Department was awarded a SAFER Grant that would pay for the additional hiring of 15 firefighters for two years. The City of Mansfield so far has waffled at accepting the money. The Mansfield Fire Department has attempted to land this grant money for 3 years. 

Interesting.

Union dues and jobs are (were) at stake. Did the acts of arson have any direct bearing on being awarded the Grant? Is this the reason the fires have quieted? No cards left on the table? The levy failed.

Why is the City of Mansfield reluctant to accept the Grant money? Do they know something?

We do know a few things are certain:

1.     The fires weren’t started by some negligent crack head or drifter. The person(s) know exactly how to start a fire without any evidence.

2.     What better way to scare the poor low-income residents in those fire zones of downtown Mansfield into voting for a levy if you have a wienee roast every 3.2 days!

3.     Somebody somewhere knows who performed those acts of arson.

If anybody has knowledge of who may have started these fires and is afraid to contact the authorities, please contact me. We can work something out.

Meanwhile, the Ohio State Attorney General and the State Fire Marshall have been contacted.

Until We Meet Again,

 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”

Something Meaningful that Matters!

www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

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