WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH) – When Whitehall Mayor Michael Bivens was first sworn in, he told his alma mater, Capital University, that he wanted to keep the progress of the city while maintaining the small-town charm. When Councilor Gerald Dixon joined Whitehall City Council, he said he wanted to fight against what he believed to be a corrupt government prioritizing progress over residents.
Now colleagues, the pair have not strayed from their original messaging. Bivens promotes a growing Whitehall. Dixon asserts the administration is of a one-track mind. Increasingly, they have made unfavorable comments toward the other in public, both during Council meetings and online.
Bivens began the Dec. 17 Council meeting with comments, including several directed at Dixon. Dixon responded in a blog post “from the desk of Ward 1 Councilor Gerald Dixon” on Dec. 30.
See coverage of Bivens assuming office as Whitehall's first Black mayor in the video player above.
Bivens dubbed Dixon the “outlier Councilmember” and, addressing Dixon, spoke of “the hypocrisy that exists within this man.” Dixon, in turn, wrote a lengthy post rebutting Bivens’ claims, writing that if Bivens “has a beef with me being on council” opposing specific legislation, Bivens should take it up with the citizens of Ward 1, which Dixon represents.
“Who does the mayor believe put me onto Council, a magic genie who granted me a wish?” Dixon wrote. “Of course not.”
Dixon has also accused Bivens of “clear bias” in his blog, particularly referencing his opposition toward investigating the Whitehall Division of Police. Dixon introduced a measure to Council to formally investigate the division, which was shot down at the same Council meeting 6-1.
Both Dixon and Bivens were asked for comments on their assertions, and on how the dialogue shaped the professionalism of the Whitehall government. Dixon did not respond to the request for comment, but he did speak on the subject immediately after the Dec. 17 meeting.
“I am an outlier,” Dixon said. “My allegiance isn’t to anyone in government.”
A representative for Bivens said he would prefer to speak about the future and growth of Whitehall.
