'What's your beef?' Loveland mayor allegedly harangues recall petition signer
Sheila Vilvens
The actions of Loveland Mayor Mark Fitzgerald are under additional scrutiny this week following a phone call from one resident to Loveland Police dispatch.
John Hager, of Hawks Ridge Circle, summoned Loveland Police to his home shortly after 8 p.m. last Wednesday to take a report. He told the Northeast Communications dispatcher that he wanted to file a complaint against the mayor for reportedly verbally harassing his wife, Debbie Hager.
"She was walking her dog with another lady and Fitzgerald pulls up, rolls down his window and screams at my wife 'what's your beef, you seemed to have signed a petition for my recall,'" Hager told the dispatcher. "He's totally out of line. And I want to file a harassment charge against him."
No charges were filed, according to Loveland Police Department. Debbie Hager declined to comment stating everything that needed to be said was shared with the Loveland Police. The Cincinnati Enquirer has requested an audio recording of the Loveland Police Department's interaction with the Hagers.
The mayor said the accusation is "absolutely false."
Fitzgerald is the subject of a recall effort organized by the political action committee Loveland Community Heartbeat. Last week petitions filed by the PAC containing more than 2,050 signatures were found insufficient by the Hamilton County Board of Elections because they lacked a statement for the demand of an election for a successor to the person they sought to remove from office.
Board of Elections: Loveland Mayor recall petitions insufficient. New petitions to be circulated.
Petitioners are now working to collect just over 1,200 valid signatures on a new petition, again focused on ousting the embattled mayor. They have until Aug. 8 to file the new petitions for verification and placement on the fall ballot.