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 1st, 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!
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