Thursday, September 02, 1999
Arlington mayor race heating up
Candidate sued city
BY WALT SCHAEFER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — Councilman Roland M. Heyne Jr., who has been in the eye of controversy since taking office in 1998, will seek the mayor's seat Nov. 2 against lifelong village resident Joe Harper.
Mr. Heyne, who with his wife, Patricia, and son, Roland “Butch” Heyne, have filed a federal lawsuit charging village police with harassment, said he will propose $400,000 over four years be earmarked for “community beautification, recreation and a new seniors' program.”
Much of that money would come from curbing excessive spending by the police department, he said.
“I am a supporter of a new administration being a field of dreams, not a field of schemes,” Mr. Heyne said Wednesday.
Mr. Harper, a 19-year police veteran who is on permanent disability because of a leg injury, said his key goal is improving community appearance.
“We need to clean up the village, clean up the municipal building. A lot has been neglected,” he said.
“I also want to assure the community in the quality of the police department. It is not corrupt. (Mr. Heyne) has a personal agenda. He does not like the police department. I am tired of the negative publicity about our community and police.”
Mr. Harper has the support of Mayor Glenn Allen, who is not seeking re-election after serving three four-year terms.
Mr. Harper, also a former firefighter for 17 years and life squad member for 10, criticized Mr. Heyne's decision to sue the police and mayor.
“I know the law says he can do it, but I do not think it is ethical that he can hold office, cast votes on council, and run for mayor of this community so long as he has a lawsuit hanging against the village,” Mr. Harper said.
Mr. Harper said he filed a past workers' compensation claim for permanent disability and won it, “but I never sued this village for millions of dollars.”
Mr. Heyne defended his ac tion: “When citizens have grievances ... with our government and ... (reach) the end of the road (after) trying everything else possible to take care of the matter, sometimes it is best for a court of law to handle the situation.”
The lawsuit charges police have harassed and violated the civil rights of Mr. Heyne, his wife and son and was filed in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati in June.
The suit charges police “used overt and covert means to harass the Heyne family in such ways as stalking, using the privilege of their posi tion and other means.” The suit seeks $4 million plus punitive damages and attorney fees, and asks the alleged harassment stop.
Mr. Heyne, an eight-year village resident, said other goals as mayor include:
• Providing citizens with “courteous and prompt police service.”
• A new plan to stimulate economic development by granting tax abatements to office building developers.
• A community-sponsored substance-abuse prevention program.
Mr. Harper noted tax incentives are needed to attract development, but said the landlocked village has no available open space and any new construction would require razing older buildings.
Two council seats also are up for grabs this fall with four candidates on the ballot to fill them.
Councilwoman Marilyn McLemore is running to retain her seat. Other council candidates are Norma Teague, a newcomer to village politics supported by Mr. Heyne; Karl Fox, a former council candidate; and former Councilman Les Nickley. Councilwoman Shirley Wilkerson is not seeking re-election.
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