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3/31/16 – The blatant abuse of power by Mayor Art Welch, supported by councilmembers Franklin and Moyer, has just reached a new level. Their message: if you dare criticize the Mayor of Banning for alcoholism by citing a publication, you will be removed from your public position, no matter how good of a job you’re doing.

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WELCH ADMITS PLANNING COMMISSONER DID A GREAT JOB, YET FIRES HIM ANYWAY FOR HINTING AT WELCH’S ALCOHOLISM

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On March 22, Art Welch removed Banning Planning Commissioner David Ellis because he dared to cite an article by the Banning Informer that suggested that Mayor Welch appears to be an alcoholic. The article Ellis publicly referenced can be found here.

The removal happened shortly after Welch had assured Commissioner Ellis that he was doing a great job on the commission.

City manager Michael Rock strategically placed the item at the end of a long and tiring agenda, presumably in an attempt to wear out an otherwise vigilant public. This action alone indicates, that City manager Rock was at a very minimum complicit, if not instrumental in the attack on Ellis.

Not a single speaker favored Ellis’ removal.

Here is the full council discussion – it is well worth watching :

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MAYOR WELCH’S ALLEGED ALCOHOLISM – A VIEW FROM AN EXPERT

Is Art Welch indeed an alcoholic? Welch denies the allegation. But why does he get so furious at anyone suggesting otherwise, that he is even willing to use his office to retaliate against his accuser? This does not make sense, unless, of course, the allegations ring true.

The best way to assess the issue is by consulting a trained expert on the matter: Councilman Don Peterson is a retired Police Sergeant with decades of law enforcement experience. Over the course of his career, Peterson averaged between 30 and 50 drunk driving arrests per year (see Peterson’s letter of commendation by Kansas Highway Patrol – click here).

In his capacity as a trained law enforcement officer, Peterson makes the following assessment about Art Welch:

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“As a retired Police Officer, a former Kansas State Trooper, and an expert in DUI detection, I can honestly say that I have personally observed our Mayor Art Welch under the influence of intoxicating beverages on several occasions.

Furthermore, I have personally observed our Mayor Art Welch at several conferences and meetings, order bar drinks consisting of Vodka and Tonic as early as 11:00 am.

I will not diagnose our Mayor Art Welch as an “Alcoholic”, as it is not my expertise. However, I will say that, on more than one face to face encounter with Art, I have observed his eyes to be glassy and bloodshot, his complexion ruddy and red, his speech slurred, and his reasoning somewhat impaired. Furthermore, when an odor of alcohol was not detected, a breath mask ( i.e. mint, gum, candy) was often used. All are indicators of a person under the influence. “

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At this point, we rest our case and will let the reader decide whether or not our Mayor fits the description of an alcoholic.

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CONCLUSION

Personal vendettas rule the way Banning is governed. Free Speech is only allowed in Banning if you praise the Mayor. How is this the American Way?

Despite – or maybe because – of his recent actions, questions of alcoholism continue to plague Mayor Art Welch. He and his co-conspirators, Franklin and Moyer, have shown us their ugly faces. They are the faces of tyranny and despotism, not the faces of Liberty.

Citizens of Banning beware – and never forget!

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