New Holland has a new mayor, who just happens to be under investigation.

It is the end of what some would call a terroristic-reign from the previous administration of Claire “Butch” Betzko.

The new mayor, Vivian Wood, was sworn in on Monday with a majority vote of other members of council after no one appeared on the November 2019 ballot. Betzko did not seek re-election, and the sole-candidate who was up for the position, Amy Hupp, withdrew after the Guardian uncovered her criminal history.

Betzko had been mayor since 2014 after the Guardian’s sister publication, the Advocate, published an investigation that led to the resignation of the then-village administrator for theft, as well as the then-mayor, Ronald Spangler for his involvement.

Betzko was on council at the time and assumed the role of mayor upon Spangler’s exit. In 2015, no one ran against Betzko when he sought to retain the seat.

Betzko’s house in South Carolina.

During Betzko’s reign, multiple lawsuits were filed against the small town of 800, many of which are still pending, including the one surrounding the firing of former New Holland Police Sergeant Brad Mick. Betzko’s exit, however, does not come as a surprise to many. The former Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy recently bought a $300,000 home in Hemmingway, South Carolina.

As a result of Wood becoming mayor Monday night, a council seat become open. Troy Hupp — the husband of Amy Hupp — was appointed to the seat. In addition, two other council vacancies remained after no one filed to run for the spots during the November 2019 election.

Outgoing council members Jimmy Thompson and Greg Shaw were re-appointed to their seats despite two other citizens who wanted to be considered for the positions.

Vivian Wood being sworn into office in 2017.

Wood was appointed to the village council in July 2017 and won election that November. In addition to her village duties, Wood is the director and statutory agent for the “Believe Store” in New Holland. It is her involvement with both organizations that has spiraled an investigation.

According to paperwork filed with the state, the “Believe Store” is similar to a thrift store and was started to “collect clothing, shoes, boots, and coats and give them away to anyone in need of these items free of charge.” It’s location is at the former New Holland Elementary School on Main Street in the village and Wood serves as the organization’s sole-director.

It is that building — the former school — that is at the center of the controversy.

Allegations of felonies started surfacing about a 18 months ago when Wood took office as a councilwoman. That is because the owner of the former school is the village council, which was the defacto-landlord to Wood’s organization. Wood reportedly closed down the organization at the end of 2019.

Property records show that the village acquired the building in 2009 shortly after Miami Trace built a new school just outside Washington Court House. The village turned the building into a “community center” and launched a local library and a free fitness room. The gymnasium was put on the market and available to rent for events by the public. In addition to the main building, there is a detached building that served several classrooms, which has since been converted into retail space by the village.

It is inside the detached building — which is best described as a store front — where Wood runs the “Believe Store.” It started occupying the building in March 2013, according to filings with the Secretary of State.

FOLLOW THE MONEY

The village has been plagued with financial issues, high water bills, and political scandals for several years. As a result of their money problems, village council voted several times to place a “community center levy” on the ballot to fund the building’s maintenance and utilities instead of footing the bills from the general fund. Each time, voters have shot down the measure, most recently in May 2017 and again in 2019.

Prior to being appointed to council, Wood was a permanent fixture in the gallery at council meetings and would give an almost-monthly “report” on the state of her organization. She was vocal in her support for the levy, then-as a private citizen by advocating for voters to support the failed levies.

In April 2018, during the regular scheduled council meeting, Wood brought up the community center building with a strong support to place the levy back on the ballot in November 2018. In fact, she supported the levy so much that she seconded the motion to have the legislation be placed on the ballot as all council members voted unanimously in agreement.

“There is a new levy that is going onto the ballot,” said Pickaway County Auditor Melissa Betz said in 2018. “Total collection would be $27,385 (annually).”

FOLLOW THE MONEY, PART 2

The “Believe Store” has arguably helped many people through the years. Often times, Wood had posted on Facebook that if anyone was in need of clothing they could visit the store, which was typically open once a week for a few hours in the evening.

In some cases, however, Wood usually suggested a minimum-required donation for clothing, but has said in her postings that no one would be turned away. Prom dresses, for example, required a minimum cash donation of $5; down from the reported $25 requested this time last year for dresses.

It is not clear what happened with the cash once someone paid for an item. The “Believe Store” is a 501(c)3 organization with the State of Ohio, which means they were legally recognized as a non-profit, however, the federal government was not able to immediately produce the annual financial filings for the organization when the Guardian asked for annual filings. It is unknown why the required annual filing could not be handed over, but the IRS said they would look into the matter.

The village did not charge Wood’s organization for rent or for the price of utilities. The village paid for the electricity and provided free water to the center.

THE FELONIES

Because Wood was on council and was a member of the organization that occupied a building owned by the village, and because she used her position on council to place the levy on the ballot to keep the store open, the Ohio Ethics Commission says that is a violation of the law and is a felony.

“The Ethics Law generally prohibits a public official from using their public position or authority to benefit a business associate (either for-profit or non-profit),” said Paul Nick, the executive director of the state’s top watchdog.

Nick told the Advocate in 2018 that mere membership in an organization does not pose a conflict of interest unless the public official holds a fiduciary relationship with the organization, such as serving as a trustee or administrator; Wood serves as the organization’s President and administrator.

Even if Wood was not paid any money for her role in the organization, the commission’s director said that it is still a violation of the law.

“It does not matter if the public official is compensated for this service because they hold a fiduciary relationship with that organization that might conflict with the interests of the public they serve.”

Nick said that he could not speak specifics with the case at question, but said that generally speaking, a violation of this magnitude is a felony.

“The Ethics Laws are criminal statutes. The Ethics Commission has the authority to investigate potential violations of these laws and, when the facts support it, refer investigations to local prosecutors.”

The Pickaway County Sheriff’s office has said they are aware of the matter and were investigating, as well. The Sheriff’s office said that the matter could be referred to Pickaway County Prosecutor Judy Wolford for felony indictment.

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