Resident accuses mayor of concealing records, urges council to demand accountability

During lobby session on July 6, resident Robert Bombgardner of 6327 Stony Ridge Road told council he had reviewed city financials and accused the mayor’s administration of “draining city bank accounts” and overspending on contracts that appear to favor developers. Bombgardner said the administration initially denied the existence of an April 2023 police climate survey, that the city produced the record only after mediation, and that litigation in the Ohio Court of Claims remains unresolved.

Bombgardner opened with a quotation attributed to Patrick Henry about the need for transparency and said the mayor’s apparent amusement at questions of trust demands scrutiny. He urged council to “have some courage and backbone” in responding to constituents and criticized changes to public-speaking bylaws that he said the council was already revisiting.

Councilwoman Rogerson moved to give Bombgardner an additional three minutes; a second was recorded and the motion carried on voice/role call.

Why it matters: Bombgardner’s remarks raised accusations of mismanagement and delayed disclosure of records that are the subject of ongoing litigation. The council did not debate or rule on the allegations during the meeting; the statements were part of a public-comment period.

What happens next: The matters Bombgardner raised — the April 2023 survey and the Ohio Court of Claims litigation — are outside the scope of this meeting’s recorded actions; council or administration statements beyond this meeting would be required to confirm or refute his claims.