Thursday, August 31, 2006
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
Midwest Christian Outreach was founded in 1995 with a mission of bringing the Christian message to cultists. As evidenced by the group’s Statement of Faith, the organization is rather traditional in its approach to religious standards—except they have dedicated themselves to combating the evil influence of dangerous cults. Now the group wants to know more about our very own Phil Heimlich, and his relationship to the cult of Bill Gothard.
A few days ago, the group’s president, Don Veinot, posted this open letter, addressed to the International Association of Character Cities (IACC), and cc-ed to Mayor Mark Mallory, as well as County Commissioners Pat DeWine and Todd Portune.
Veinot’s letter begins with some quotations about David Petersen, the Arizona treasurer who got busted for pocketing commissions concerning the work he did as a public office holder for the character cult. Veinot follows by requesting a list of all public officials who have received commissions from the IACC.
But the second part of the letter is where things really get interesting.
After making the first records request, Veinot goes on to make a second request pertaining specifically to Phil Heimlich. Here is the totality of Veinot’s request concerning Heimlich:
I am requesting your immediate response regarding a specific public official, Phil Heimlich, former Cincinnati City Councilman and current Hamilton County (OH) Commissioner. Mr. Heimlich was a keynote speaker at your organization’s September 2005 national conference.
Mr. Heimlich was responsible for establishing your organization’s program in Cincinnati in the year 2000 when he was a city councilman. There is no indication in the public record that Mr. Heimlich informed other city council members that your organization is closely affiliated with evangelist Bill Gothard and that your training materials closely mirror Gothard’s evangelical training materials.
Cincinnati businessman Mike Daly was another speaker at your 2005 national conference. In his speech, Mr. Daly explained how he was responsible for introducing your program to Mr. Heimlich:
After that, there was so much enthusiasm in Cincinnati to do something that I called a few friends together--and I made a donation to Phil’s campaign--Phil Heimlich, the politician you’ll meet tomorrow. First time we met he called me up, and I gave him a donation and we had lunch together. And he said, “Is there anything on your heart that I should do for you?” And he was expecting me to ask for something from the government for business. Instead, I shoved all these materials at Phil and said, “Yeah, get this into our city.”
Is that correct, Phil? Is that pretty much a recount of what happened? Phil’s back there in the last row. Stand up for a second, Phil, so I can—there’s Phil Heimlich, as I told you the influential politician, and Ray, stand up, too. Ray and I—we taught the whole police force.
So I’m just trying to show you how one city worked. This is how one city got together.
Given what appears to be a quid pro quo between Mr. Daly and Mr. Heimlich, I am re-iterating my request that you promptly answer whether Mr. Heimlich has ever received commissions, other payments, and/or gifts from your organization or any affiliated organizations or individuals. If so, please provide me with an itemized list.
The heat just turned up a notch regarding the Heimlich-Gothard connection.
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