Tuesday, February 29, 2000
Council member is urged to resign
Saylor gets flak from co-officials
BY DAVID ECK
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FAIRFIELD — Embattled Fairfield City Councilman Jon V. Saylor was urged to resign Monday by two council colleagues who said allegations of voter fraud against him are a distraction to council business.
“I just said I was going to take the lead role and get the thing rolling,” said Councilman Jeff Holtegel. “I don't think there's a member of city council that feels he shouldn't resign.”
Councilman Ron D'Epifanio, who also told Mr. Saylor to quit during the regular council meeting, said people are calling the city building asking about the issue.
Monday was the first council meeting since the Butler County Board of Elections reported Mr. Saylor may have committed voter fraud in the November election.
Mr. Saylor, 27, did not comment during the sometimes testy session. But when asked after the meeting whether he would quit, he said “No,” before being hustled away by his attorney.
“He cannot afford to just walk out and resign,” said Councilman Sterling Uhler. “It's a bargaining chip. That might be the only thing he's got left to trade.”
Some council members started asking him questions about the controversy, but Peter Swenty, Mr. Saylor's attorney, said that was not appropriate.
“I just will not permit Mr. Saylor to answer any questions,” Mr. Swenty said. “Let's see what happens in the grand jury.”
During the elections board's two-day hearing, Mr. Saylor was asked several times to testify, but, on Mr. Swenty's advice, refused.
In the report, the board said there is strong evidence that Mr. Saylor violated more than a half-dozen Ohio election laws, including tampering with ballots, inducing illegal voting, interfering with the conduct of an election and possessing false records.
“I believe that you owe our citizens some kind of feedback,” said Councilman Erick Cook.
Mr. Saylor won Fairfield's 1st Ward council seat, 820-678, over Mike Snyder.
Fairfield officials have said there is little they can do to remove Mr. Saylor from council, at least for now, because the alleged actions happened before he was elected.
“I'm not standing in judgment of his innocence or guilt,” Mr. Holtegel said. “There's no legal ramifications for us to have an investigation of our own, but the evidence is overwhelming. He's in trouble.”
Several council members said the allegations are distracting, and Mr. Saylor should quit to save the city further embarrassment.
“I hear it everywhere I go,” Mr. Holtegel said. “That seems to be the center of focus. It's just very heavy. It's awkward.”
He said the purpose of bringing up the issue during the council meeting was to give residents some feedback.
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