Why Cant Dayton get a Good Mayor

[weatherphotographer]

Originally Posted by robertbrianbush

Dayton mayors actually have extremely limited powers. The city is actually ran by the city commission and, on a day to day basis, by the city manager, employed by and answerable to the city commission, not the mayor. The position does, however,
carry a great deal of informal power by virtue of being a very potent bully pulpit in the region (largely due to the nature of media coverage). And the mayor also holds a seat on the city commission.

Maybe it's time for a charter review? Even the inept hilljacks of Huber are reviewing theirs right now!

[SWOH]

Huber's mayor is a blowhard though.

He can't seem to get along with anyone and is always blabbing about new development possibilities, which subsequently cause them to pull out. That's why The Heights doesn't appear to be getting an outlet mall, he blabbed to the press about the project at its infant stages.

[Rick Lantz]

How long before the suburbs get sucked in to Dayton's circling of the drain? Are they stable enough to survive without being dragged down also? I remember a DDN article that said the suburbs can't flourish with the regions center being a black hole.

[robertbrianbush]

Originally Posted by Rick Lantz

How long before the suburbs get sucked in to Dayton's circling of the drain? Are they stable enough to survive without being dragged down also? I remember a DDN article that said the suburbs can't flourish with the regions center being a black hole.

Actually a lot of major positive developments have been occurring recently in Dayton...the corridor from downtown through the UD area and Moraine to West Carrollton has been one of the hottest centers of new construction in the Miami Valley this decade, and that shows no signs of abating. Many of Dayton's neighborhoods are deteriorating, some to a far greater degree than others, but I certainly wouldn't say the city is circling the drain....not with so many developments like the Water Street District, other residential developments downtown, the renovations of a number of large historic factory buildings, the growth around UD, the new library, the booming and expanding Oregon District and Webster Station neighborhoods, the excellent (and fast growing!) craft beer scene, etc. The part of Dayton I grew up in is in far better shape now than it was ten or fifteen years ago.

[Ohiogirl81]

Is Paul Leonard still alive?

Originally Posted by RDriesenUD

The reason we have a problem is the same reason our country has a problem. Too many people voting who have no clue and shouldn't be voting. Too many people voting who are only voting for the person who promises them the most stuff for the least amount of work.

Couple that with the current combative and divisive mood of the country as a whole, which trickles down to individual municipalities. Even when local elections are non-partisan, there's still an us vs. them mentality among elected officials in either party.

Then there's the issue of voter ignorance and/or indifference coupled with a lack of truly objective information. Does the League of Women Voters still publish voting guides, and if it does, do the voters actually read them?

[hensleya1]

Less Than Two Years After Last Income Tax Hike, Nan Wants More

The city of Dayton plans to ask voters to approve a 0.25 percent income tax increase that supporters said will help close a projected shortfall, fund police and fire services and pay for universal pre-school.

While Dayton voters will decide if the increase takes place, the tax is paid by people who work in the city.

If approved, the tax rate would climb to 2.5 percent. The additional 0.25 percent would cost someone who works in the city and earns a $35,000 salary an additional $83 each year, city officials said.

I hate to be "that guy" who left the city and now takes pot shots at the city from the safety of the suburbs... But someone really needs to can Nan and get some real leadership in there. These bozos are some of the most stupid and incompetent people imaginable. You wouldn't have a funding shortfall if Dayton didn't do stupid things like have Steve Rauch tear down the wrong building. Or convey $600,000 worth of property to a guy mistakenly for peanuts. Or the fact that 80% of downtown Dayton property is tax exempt.

Honestly, this is why I'll never support regionalism if the city of Dayton is involved - it's leadership is a toxic drag on the city and the whole region. I would sooner take off and nuke the entire site from orbit, 'cause it's the only way to be sure.