Fostoria Resident’s Extension Cord Incident Sparks Ongoing Disputes with City Officials

Fostoria, Ohio – A series of escalating confrontations between James/Micheal Mosier, a local resident, and the City of Fostoria has raised questions about constitutional rights, public access, and the limits of citizen activism. The feud began with a seemingly petty dispute over an extension cord and has since spiraled into allegations of unconstitutional practices, physical altercations, and retaliatory charges.

The Extension Cord Controversy

The roots of this conflict trace back to an unusual dispute involving Mosier’s brother, Michael. Michael Mosier allowed a neighbor to use an extension cord from his home for a short time. When the arrangement soured, and Michael no longer wished to allow the neighbor access, the neighbor allegedly continued to plug the cord back in without permission.

Frustrated by the situation and dissatisfied with the Fostoria Police Department’s response, Michael Mosier took a provocative step: he laid an extension cord across County Line Street to power a lamp on the sidewalk. This act, viewed by many as a symbolic protest against perceived inaction by local authorities, drew significant attention and marked the beginning of the Mosiers’ ongoing scrutiny of Fostoria’s municipal operations.

From Extension Cord to Constitutional Auditor

Following the extension cord incident, Mosier took on the role of a constitutional auditor, focusing on government accountability and transparency. His tactics include recording in publicly accessible areas of the Fostoria Municipal Building and challenging policies he believes infringe on citizens’ rights.

However, Mosier’s methods have sparked controversy:

• Repeated Public Building Visits: Mosier has frequently recorded inside the municipal building, claiming this is his constitutional right. His presence has reportedly upset city employees, with one worker allegedly brought to tears by his interactions.
• Persistent Phone Calls: Mosier is said to have repeatedly called the Fostoria Police Department, asking to be transferred to other departments before hanging up and calling back. This behavior reportedly persisted for weeks.

Allegations Against City Officials

In an email to Law Director Stephanie Kiser, Mosier outlined his grievances, including:

• Unconstitutional Signage: Mosier has challenged the presence of “no recording” signs in publicly accessible areas, calling them unconstitutional. Despite public criticism, these signs remain in place.
• Physical Altercations: Mosier accuses Assistant Prosecutor Barb Dibble and Probation Officer Erika Mackling of physically pushing him and using a door to block his access to a public hallway. Video evidence reportedly supports his claims.
• Retaliatory Charges: Mosier alleges he has been charged with additional offenses simply for asserting his right to record in public spaces.

Community Reaction: Advocacy or Harassment?

The Mosiers’ actions have divided the Fostoria community. Supporters argue they are standing up for constitutional rights and holding officials accountable. Critics, however, see their behavior as disruptive and petty, pointing to incidents like the extension cord protest and frequent emails and phone calls to city employees.

City Council Involvement

In a related twist, City Council President Brian Shaver faced backlash for allowing an anonymous speaker, believed to be Mosier, to address a council meeting. Critics argue that this decision violated the city charter and reflects broader issues of leadership within the council.

The Broader Implications

This conflict underscores the challenges faced by both citizens and government officials in navigating activism and public accountability. While Mosier’s actions highlight potential concerns about transparency and rights, his methods have also drawn scrutiny for potentially crossing the line into harassment.

Moving Forward

The City of Fostoria must address the balance between respecting constitutional rights and maintaining a productive, harassment-free environment for its employees and citizens. Meanwhile, the Mosiers continue to demand accountability, leaving many in the community to question how and when this escalating conflict will be resolved.

For now, the dispute over an extension cord has grown into a larger battle over rights, public access, and government accountability, placing the City of Fostoria in the spotlight.