At age 89, “Granny D” Doris Haddock walked across the country to protest the selling out of our elected officials.

With the country now looking to have corporate America buy the next election, she won’t be here to suffer the results.

“It just infuriates me!” she said, balling her hands into fists and striking the table. “I feel we are losing our democracy. The corporations are taking over and deciding who gets elected.”

Doris Haddock, Cross-Country Walker, Dies at 100 – Obituary (Obit) – NYTimes.com.

She said that in 1989.

Last night in talking to Mayor Leitzell at the South Park Tavern, he said that if he decides to run again in four years- he’ll pledge to spend no more than $10K, to give his opposition a chance. Of course, if he’s doing his job right- why would we want to replace him? While it’s too early to judge his performance, if he sticks to that pledge, we’ll know what kind of leader we have- one that Granny D would have been proud of.

A while back, I proposed the “Dayton Process“- it’s not dead, and I’m still looking for candidates who wish to run in next year’s city commission race. Matt Joseph and Dean Lovelace will be up for challenge.

I wonder, would either of these incumbents make the same kind of pledge to limit their campaign expenses?

Matt, Dean? Want to make a pledge now to honor an old woman who walked from sea to shining sea to push for this kind of change?

Feel free to make the pledge here. Comment below.

MVRPC has its “regional land use planning initiative” in full planning force. However it’s kinda like fixing the fence after the cows left the pasture.

The Kettering Oakwood Times has a really long (by DDN standards) article by Paul Collins about the changes the region has gone through and how we ended up in this mess. The numbers make it really clear: slight rise in population, spread over 1.5x the space, with a huge shift to commercial real estate and an infrastructure cost that’s skyrocketed. A lot of his info is from the director of planning at MVRPC, Martin H. Kim.

Take a look at the numbers:

…in 1970, Dayton’s urban population was 606,549 and the total amount of urbanized area was 185.9 square miles.

The total population density in that urbanized area was 3,263 population per square mile. In 2000, Dayton’s urban population was 723,955 and the total amount of urbanized area was 327.6 square miles.

The total population density in that urbanized area was 2,209 population per square mile, which represented a 1,054 decline from the year 1970. Kim explained that this decline has led to a disproportion between the region’s population and land usage.

“We are using more and more land per capita,” Kim said. “The population grew, but the rate of growth was lower than the physical expansion of the urban area. In other words, the land consumption per capita increased between 1970 and 2000.”

Kim stated that, if these urbanization trends hold sway, Dayton’s population density in 2030 will only amount to 1,291 population per square mile. Simultaneously, urbanized area will have grown to 531.1 square miles. According to Kim, commercial development will probably constitute a sizable portion of this larger urban area, as is evidenced by the 150 percent increase in commercial land use between 1970 and 2000. Thus, projected land use, particularly commercial development, will exceed the needs of the population.

According to Kim, Dayton’s demographic decline means a thinner tax base for larger areas. In turn, this thinner tax base will affect the quality of life and economic prosperity of the Dayton region. The effects include: Higher infrastructure and service delivery costs. Longer commutes. Less open space and farmland. Longer police, EMT, and fire runs. Spending more money on gas….

Land development has not been tied to population changes. Between 1970 and 2000, population in the region remained relatively stable while total developed land in the region increased by 44.6 percent.

“Geographically, development has been uneven and development has been shifting among land use types,” Kim said.

Indeed, land use has shifted within the region considerably between 1975 and 2000. Residential land use increased 36.3 percent. Industrial land use increased 22 percent. And, of course, commercial land use increased 148.1 percent. Meanwhile, agricultural/open space land use declined 9.3 percent.

via Population decline predicted in region.

If you think about it- we’re spending millions to eliminate interchanges downtown, where we have a 33%+ commercial vacancy rate, and spending millions more to build an interchange to what were cornfields at Austin Pike. The problem cited by businesses is that they don’t want to pay for parking for employees in those empty towers- so instead, they build asphalt fields around low, new, boring buildings and pat themselves on the back.

Thankfully, Mayor Leitzell seems to be the only one thinking about this – suggesting we provide free bus service in Montgomery County. It would be a competitive advantage- considering Greene and Warren County have no real public transit- and, it would decrease the cost of living in Dayton further. Owning a car is your second highest household expense after housing. Had we done this 25 year ago- maybe Downtown wouldn’t be on life support now. After all- aren’t we paying for RTA already with the .5% sales tax? Shouldn’t we get something for our money?

This is today’s topic for the Dayton Grassroots Daily Show- watch and enjoy:

Just saw this concept for a one price art show- all work this year will be $200. 5000 people came last time. Maybe we should give it a whirl here?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Vancouver’s most exciting art show.

via The Cheaper Show No. 9 – BOOOOOOOM! – CREATE INSPIRE COMMUNITY ART DESIGN MUSIC FILM PHOTO PROJECTS.

Just a thought to share. The video is worth a watch. Read more about the show here: http://thecheapershow.com/

I’ve learned something new every time I’ve run for office- mostly about my flaws. Mind you, it’s not been from the other candidates in the race, but from either the “Political party” faithful or the Dayton Daily News editorial board.

I’ve also learned a lot about voters- the gullible folks who accept the lines of BS that pass for political discourse in America today.

Former Dayton City Commissioner Dick Zimmer, used to start off his 3 minute presentation with “I was born and raised in Dayton, and have 9 kids and 13 grandkids”- he would mention he was retired from Ohio Bell, and that he was an endorsed Dem and an incumbent- that was it. I used to wonder if being able to procreate was a required qualification for office- and that your parents had and raised you here is something you can claim as personal achievement.

I also learned that people don’t vote for critics- or people they perceive as negative. In fact, the less of a character you are the better. We want the equivalent of Wonder Bread in elected office. Thinking for yourself is almost instant disqualification.

Debate as practiced in days of old is totally gone. A candidate shall NEVER ask another candidate a question directly. Confrontation is a no-no.

Literature should be brief, with a picture of candidate with family, short bio, and a tagline. Usually “endorsed by….”

But, before you even think about running- think about these things: without a political party machine you will not have access to voter databases, emails, phone numbers, group mailings, poll pogues who hand out “slate cards” and volunteers galore from organizations like unions or special interest groups.

You’ll be ridiculed for having the naivete to try to buck the well established system. Anything negative about you will be in the paper. You’ll give up countless unpaid hours going to candidates nights and campaigning, your business becomes everyone’s business.

So the editorial in the Dayton Daily News, suggesting that we have too many offices and not enough candidates this weekend was almost too funny. Did they get a sense of humor suddenly?

Meanwhile, people who are not satisfied with the kinds of people who are offering their services might consider offering themselves. If you’ve sometimes thought about doing that, but you’ve wondered how your qualifications might compare with other candidates, the best approach is not to assume anything. One can get in the fray and see how things turn out.

via Editorial: Suburb councils not looking great | A Matter of Opinion.

Let’s see- “get in the fray”- there is no fray. How things turn out? What, put yourself on the chopping block and hand the cleaver over to Martin Gottlieb for the quintessential hatchet job?

I’m sorry, but the irony of this is like the cat putting out cheese for mice. They are desperate for fodder to attack, since it’s easier to hit the gullible than the guilty. They propose regionalism, right after we’ve been assaulted with article after article about the Counties ineptitude when it comes to managing poverty money handed over to a man who has previously been convicted for welfare fraud. This was just following the Sheriff paying his sister to do foreclosure appraisals- at a higher than authorized rate (no investigation into culpability for that faux pas). Sure, everyone wants to risk their day job to run for office to work with corrupt people who were promoted for election by a secret cabal.

Besides the independently wealthy, only those who’ve got their day jobs covered by their friends: Dean Lovelace with his UD job, Bootsie Neal with Central State, Clay Dixon had the Dayton Public Schools, Nan Whaley had Karl Keith, Dan Foley had his Daddy and Tony Hall etc. etc. Yep, the talent pool comes from the same petri dish.

And if you need further proof that running for office requires people capable of checking off boxes- take a look at the kind of questionnaires candidates get- this one from National Right to Life for Congressional candidates: National Right To life Questionnaire for Congressional candidates Feb 2010 PDF

Please tell me how voters can have any real knowledge of candidates true positions any more? Even after week after week of balanced articles in the Sunday DDN- and running for office multiple times, there were still a lot of voters that had no clue who I was. Please tell the DDN that it’s come down to yard signs, name recognition and slate cards- not the caliber of the candidate.

The Dayton Grassroots Daily Show has a conversation about the DDN editorial, regional government and running for office- enjoy:

And if you want to know how I believe we should change the process- see this post: The Dayton Process

For today’s Dayton Grassroots Daily Show we discussed the Olympics- and our feelings about the possibility of not having N.H.L. players in the international games. It seems that Gary Bettman, NHL commish, thinks that the Olympics aren’t good for the NHL- even though viewership of the Canada/USA game on Sunday had better ratings than game 7 of last year’s Stanley Cup (note, I would have been watching if it were available on broadcast).

Here’s just a bit out of the New York Times today:

Bettman, the N.H.L. commissioner, has suggested that shutting down for 15 days may be more costly to the league than the benefits it derives from having its stars showcased internationally. The league gets no revenue from Olympic telecasts, but the high viewership numbers suggest that the N.H.L. is getting more exposure from the Olympics than Bettman or anyone else expected.

via Inside the Rings – N.H.L.’s Doubts About 2014 Games Are Challenged – NYTimes.com.

Bettman thinks of the players in the league as slaves- which is what happens when you have a virtual monopoly. Look at the NCAA- same thing.

Without the fans, you have nothing – and the fans and the players still think there is something cool about national bragging rights on a global scale.

Which brings me to sports, right here in Dayton. I believe we have some core sports competencies that aren’t being exploited. This area has a history of creating some serious talent- football, basketball, track and field- while not doing as well in baseball, soccer or hockey. It’s one of the core strengths in the community- and one that is underappreciated and overlooked.

Imagine if we had regional, coordinated training programs, allowing the best players to play for the region on a much larger competitive circuit. When Commissioner Dan Foley started his sports authority process- I was hoping we’d see program coordination- instead, all we got was a pitch for convention and sports tourism business.

One of the things healthy communities do is create opportunities for all to get involved in sports as participants. Kettering has done an outstanding job of providing facilities for residents and should be considered the benchmark community. It’s time all of the region raised the bar.

Here’s our ramble for the day- enjoy:

Meant to post this a just before I left Savannah, but didn’t.

Hopefully, someone has offered up our dark fiber as the backbone for this ambitious Google experiment.

Google Fiber for Communities

Google is planning to launch an experiment that we hope will make Internet access better and faster for everyone. We plan to test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country. Our networks will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today, over 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We’ll offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

From now until March 26th, we’re asking interested municipalities to provide us with information about their communities through a Request for information (RFI), which we’ll use to determine where to build our network.

via Google Fiber for Communities: Think big with a gig.

High speed fiber could be a boon to launching small business in Dayton. Considering how many serious blows this community has suffered of late, this could be a serious piece of good news. This would be an excellent project for the Dayton Development Coalition to pitch.

Anytime you see “emergency ordinance” take a second look. Most of the time it means either: the commission is made up of idiots who didn’t see something coming, or they are trying to pull the wool over your eyes. In this case- both.

And, it’s our first Gary Leitzell no vote- with no real solution to the problem offered (of which I’ll provide- because I’m not an idiot). From the DDN:

City of Dayton trash customers will pay more for the service beginning with their April bills.

In a four-to-one vote, City Commissioners Dean Lovelace, Joey Williams, Nan Whaley and Matt Joseph pushed through an emergency ordinance raising annual waste collection fees from $91 to $113, beginning with April bills. The rate increase will generate $1.3 million annually for the city.

“Without that increase, we would have to make further budget cuts,” said City Manager Tim Riordan, adding staff proposed the increase in November as a way to balance the 2010 budget.

Mayor Gary Leitzell said he could not vote for an ordinance that both increased the cost to residents and decreased service. Dayton customers will still have trash pick-up once a week, but bulk waste pick-up goes from twice per month to once.

“I think we need to look at alternative ways of saving money,” Leitzell said.

The mayor suggested the city explore ways to reduce tipping fees paid to Montgomery County for dumping trash and recyclables.

In 2008, Dayton paid $38.25 per ton for trash disposal, or about $2.36 million for the year. Tipping fees for recyclables cost much less at $14 per ton or about $31,864 per year.

“Recycling cost less. The goal, in terms of a long-range budget solution, is to get more people to recycle,” Whaley said. “I know it’s hard for all of us to do these kinds of things, but it is part of governing.”

Whaley and Williams both said Leitzell’s suggestion should be researched, but said the reality of the mayor’s solution is that it would not generate enough money to prevent a budget shortfall.

About 27 percent of Dayton’s residents recycle, but only account for about 3 percent of the city’s waste stream. To generate the desired $1.3 million, recycling would have to make up 88 percent of the city’s waste steam.

via Trash collection fees going up in Dayton.

Trash and Recycling Bins in Savannah are equal sizes

Dayton provides two different sized trash bins. And, the size of the bins is the first indication of which has more importance. Take a look at Savannah GA bins in the photo at right- see a difference?

We get what we ask for- little recycle bins- collected every other week- and you get less recycling.

Secondly- in Ontario Canada they give you the bins for free- but, won’t pick up unless it’s in a trash bag you pay for. You pay big bucks for the ones to hold trash- and the recycling bags are FREE! It’s pay as you go trash bills- and forces people to feel the pain of not recycling.

Solves part of Dayton’s problem. Of course now that we’ve finally stopped the insane practice of paying trashmen double time to work holidays- maybe we can also start looking to making them put in a full 8 hour day every day?

We’ve cut the number of public trash containers in parks- which leads to bigger messes and a less pretty city. We’ve cut back the number of hours we sweep streets (ineffectively- since we don’t move cars first) increasing our costs of cleaning out catch basins and road repair. Maybe if the trash collectors put in a full day keeping our city clean- citizens wouldn’t have to waste their time picking up trash on alley sweeps- and could spend time working on other things to make our city beautiful.

Just voting no doesn’t get it Mayor Leitzell. Let’s see some ideas.

The Apple iPad

Today Apple announced the iPad. I’m not in love with the name- sounds like a feminine hygiene product to me {update- a skit from 3 years ago makes fun of this name- not for those easily offended} , but, since Apple makes it- it will sell no matter what it’s called. I would have preferred ApplePad or even the return of the Apple Newton name (a product that was ahead of its time in many ways).

Sometimes talking with Greg is like riding a mechanical bull, so my serious ideas about how the iPad is a potential game changer got banged around pretty hard in our video. But, I’ll be posting thoughts over on the business site soon. If you don’t know what an iPad is- Apple has lots of information on its site as to the nuts and bolts. What I see is the potential for newspapers to finally abandon print- jettisoning the daily delivery of a dead tree with ink- into a real delivery of their product- news. With the ease of distribution through the Apple iBook store- and the future potential to target ads to individuals through this intuitive interface- this could be the savior of the newspaper business. If wifi were ubiquitous, the connectivity issue would work- get a free iPad with your subscription to a “sponsor” paper (sort of the way cell phones are sold)- but the cost load is delivered through targeted ad delivery and some subscription revenue to the paper.

Each newspaper would collect a “scrape” from other newspapers who are read through the sponsor’s device. The DDN would own the database and relationship and make money by managing your relationship with advertisers along with delivering the local part of the news. This wasn’t included in the presentation – but, is not much different from the way the apps store has worked for delivery of ads. Granted, no one is making billions yet from iApps- except Apple- but that could change if enough iPads landed in peoples hands and enough printing presses went the way of the dodo.

But- back to the game changer part. Apple is not the first e-reader, or tablet computer. In fact, they are late to the game- as they were with the Mac and with the iPod and the iPhone. They just came up with a better idea with a better design. So much of Apple’s aura is from the interaction between people and a computer.

That interface is where Dayton could use a total overhaul. We project ourselves as Dayton when it suits us- but most of the time, we’ve got 500 different chiefs ruling 600 Indians. We’ve never been elegant- or easy to explain. We operate in our own little reality distortion field – thinking we’ve got a product people want- when if fact, we don’t have a product at all.

If Dayton were what we think it is, we wouldn’t be seeing a steady stream of bad news- with jobs leaving, crime happening and committees being formed constantly to solve our problem. Nope, we’d have a Steve Jobs to lead us – with a clear vision- of creating something insanely great for us to announce to the world. We’d be making best practices, instead of copying them. We’d be asking “what if” more and not “how do”- there was a time when Dayton did lead the way, but no longer.

With our low cost of living, moderate climate, central location, abundant water, nice people and enough smart people hiding in the woodwork- all we need is a nice shiny vision of where we’re going and how to get there.

Before Steve Jobs came back to Apple they were on the brink of collapse. Now- where are they?

Memo to Mayor Gary Leitzell: Steve Jobs doesn’t do ANYTHING by committee.

I see a different Dayton- do you? In the meantime- take another look at the iPad- do you see the game changing potential? I do.

I like Gary Leitzell. I even liked Rhine McLin- both nice people. I’m sure that Gary isn’t on the take- and has the people’s best interests at heart. But today he announced his “Leadership Council”- and I’m really wondering how this group is going to come up with BIG ideas. Especially after hearing Mr. Leitzell on the campaign trail talking about helping start 1000 small businesses- something that doesn’t seem to be well represented on this “council.”

From today’s DDN:

Mayor Gary Leitzell, today, Jan. 26, announced the founding of his Leadership Council, a diverse 17-member committee of community leaders who are acknowledged experts in their respected fields.

“The Leadership Council marks a bold step in Dayton’s long recovery process. The Council, which is composed of some of Dayton’s best and brightest minds, will meet regularly to discuss ideas and strategies that can help further spur our economic turnaround,” Leitzell said.

The council’s purpose, according to its mission statement, is to foster economic development and growth in the city by undertaking independent initiatives and by providing advice and counsel to the Mayor….

The members of the Dayton Mayor’s Leadership Council

* David H. McDonald (Co-Chair), president, The McDonald Group LLC

* Jeff Samuelson, AIA (Co-Chair), managing member, jz Companies

* Phillip L. Parker, CAE, CCE, president & CEO, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce

* Gregory M. Gantt, Esq., partner, Allbery Cross Fogarty, chairman Montgomery County Republican Party

* Thomas A. Raga, vice president of advancement Sinclair Community College

* S. Ted Bucaro, government and regional relations director University of Dayton

* Anne Higdon, president, ISUS Corp.

* Larry E. Couchot, partner, Couchot Hogenkamp

* William Duncan, partner, Thorn, Lewis and Duncan Inc.

* Julie Liss-Katz, director of public affairs, Premier Health Partners

* Glenn Alexander, former Dayton Fire Chief

* Stacy M. Thompson, Dayton Public Schools board member, KeyBank Vice President

* Cassandra S. Mitchell, educator, Journalism/Mass Communications Instructor/Community Outreach Specialist/TV Producer & Host

* Steve LaFlame, union liaison

* Col. Tim Donohue, 88th Mission Support Group Commander, Wright-Patterson AFB

* Richard Haas, president, Grandview/Southview Hospital System

* Rev. Wilburt Shanklin, Living Word of Faith Church

via Mayor announces development advisers.

In fact- I’m wondering why we’re still expecting government to solve our economic woes.  Maybe if the City could actually concentrate on fundamental service delivery- and learn how to get out of the way of people who actually make things happen around here.

I think Anne Higdon and Jeff Samuelson are great choices- but, the load of Republicans- McDonald, Gantt, Raga (the ones I know about) are a mistake.

And because I put my money where my mouth is- I’d recommend either Jan Lepore Jennelson East End Community Services or Amy Radachi Rebuilding Together Dayton, Wesley Center director Dr. Robert Walker, Jim Gagnet of Pacesetter Painting and Coco’s Bistro, Bill Daniels of Pizza Factory and- believe it or not- some of the people who are paid by the City- like the City Manager Tim Riordan, the planning director John Gower, Steve Budd from CityWide.

I’d also look to some of the people from UpDayton, like Theresa Gasper who has helped turn South Park housing around almost by herself.

The key to making this really work- is not picking people who expect to be on it- like Phil Parker- who already are supposed to be part of the system. But to pick people who are self-starters, the type of people who start the small businesses in this city- and mine them on their secrets. MVH, Sinclair, UD- already have the ability to speak with a big stick.

Let’s pass that stick around.

Your thoughts?

For all the bad news and naysayers- this one’s for you.

I’ve even done my share of pointing out the flaws in our fair city- but with the goal of moving us forward.

Today, I decided to interview a neighbor, the lovely and talented Melissa Aldridge. She graduated from Belmont High School, attended Wright State and Miami – and graduated from Wright State with a degree in business with a concentration in Econ. Then, she got a job in Downtown Dayton and bought an amazing house in Historic South Park.

We talk about why she chose to live in South Park and why we love it here. Something new for the Dayton Grassroots Daily Show- a real pretty face for once.

Now if we could only get another thousand like her every year to do the same- all our problems would be solved.

The great thing about Dayton is we don’t have any real leaders- that lets anyone and everyone step up to the plate (I’m joking). We almost guarantee that if one economic development group is good- 20 would be better. Same thing with mayor’s, fire chiefs, road maintenance supervisors and now- social media hubs.

DaytonMostMetro.com has been trying to become the voice of the “creative class” in Dayton- and is now trying to expand it’s audience beyond the urban core. My site doesn’t count- since, well- I’m just a politician wanna-be who likes to get people thinking and arguing about things that count.

Of course, the Dayton Daily News could be a networking hub- with the resources at their disposal, but that would requiring hiring some people who actually understand social media and what’s happening online.

Now, local internet guy, Bill Rust launches TheMiamiValley.com using a social media CMS called Dolphin. It’s got more bells and whistles under the trunk than Facebook, MySpace, Craigslist and a dating site all rolled into one. Now, it just needs some people. Like, 20,000 or so  to start. I’m number 28- you can be number 29. There is no guarantee that this site will do anything- it depends on how many of you decide to join- and what you chose to do with it. It’s an open book and Bill is handing you your crayons.

Here is Bill telling me and all of you about his site. It’s a little long- around 9 minutes, but if you are interested in a new social networking resource, this may be for you.

Enjoy!

Tomorrow we swear in a neighborhood president as mayor of Dayton. In terms of his ability to effect change in his area of responsibility, he’ll find he just took a demotion. Now, he’ll have to get two of four people to agree with him- and their constituencies- which include a myriad of political backers with agendas- something Mr. Leitzell is relatively free of.

New York Time columnist David Brooks talks about our idealized dream of a government that can take care of and protect us from terrorism. Substitute urban entropy- and you have the same herculean task- and false expectations of what can logically be accomplished.

Brooks ends with the realization that if we really want change, it’s up to the neighborhoods to pull themselves up-not for the leaders to do it from the top down. It’s the same thing that’s fracked our corporate machinery up- the idyllic, mythical, omnipotent CEO and his magic wand.

Brooks:

For better or worse, over the past 50 years we have concentrated authority in centralized agencies and reduced the role of decentralized citizen action. We’ve done this in many spheres of life. Maybe that’s wise, maybe it’s not. But we shouldn’t imagine that these centralized institutions are going to work perfectly or even well most of the time. It would be nice if we reacted to their inevitable failures not with rabid denunciation and cynicism, but with a little resiliency, an awareness that human systems fail and bad things will happen and we don’t have to lose our heads every time they do.

via Op-Ed Columnist – The God That Fails – NYTimes.com.

Brooks calls his piece “The God That Fails”- which takes us into a whole other realm of divine belief, and dreams of intervention of a power greater than us. This country was built by people like you and me- and immigrants who came over with nothing more than a dream of what was possible.

If we really want change, it’s time to start dreaming again. And it’s our leaders’ jobs to empower us to have those dreams.

So, Gary, if you’re listening- talk about the dream and celebrate the dreamers. The cynics have been in power for too long.

It’s a new year- and it’s time for some new ideas. Sure, Monday, Gary Leitzell gets sworn in as Mayor of Dayton, but Dayton city isn’t Dayton greater. Who is our champion and where will they take us?

In a roundabout way, Greg Hunter and David Esrati talk about what our best foot forward should and could be in Dayton Grassroots Daily Show we call “Dayton ambassadors.”

Enjoy!

We’re not alone in our battle to be competitive on the global stage. Every other metropolitan area in the county is thinking about regionalization- and rethinking the last 50 years.

This article on Cleveland.com tells me one thing- we’re behind on the move toward functional organization- all from one indicator: they’ve actually put a price-tag on their current cost of local government, something we’ve not done yet. And from my QBA days (Quantitative Business Analysis)- I know that you can’t improve things that you can’t measure:

“The bottom line is the U.S. just got the biggest wake-up call it received in the past 50 years,” Bruce Katz of the Brookings Institution said of the recession.

We have been growing in the wrong way, he said, and must change to survive. “The American economy is about to rebalance and restructure in a dramatic way,” Katz said…

Many believe the cost of local government — about $17 billion annually — is stifling growth because 4.1 million Northeast Ohioans pay more for their government than almost anyone else in the country.

via Welcome to the decade of the Super Region: Cleveland’s future entwined with Youngstown’s | Metro – cleveland.com – cleveland.com.

With all our talk of regionalization- we haven’t put the price tag for having all our fiefdoms and their lessor chiefs. Nor have we advanced any leaders willing to take the helm and demand reform.

Of course in Cleveland they were helped by the FBI, who went in and cleaned up some of the corruption and proved that the old ways, and the old-boy network weren’t good for anyone.

Don’t expect the FBI to do the job here, or the news media. I’ve been publishing the tips on where to look for almost five years now, and not one indictment, or investigation or exposé from the media. We’ve been handing out tax dollars like candy to private interests without any follow through accountability, we’ve watched people donate huge sums to politicians- without questioning why, and we’ve watched political parties manipulate elections and gerrymand voting districts without question.

We’ve had the best leadership money can buy for years- and look where it’s got us.

Let’s start taking a hard look at what we’re willing to pay for in the new year. Let’s see hard numbers on how much all the mayors, managers and chiefs are costing us. Let’s look at how much money we’ve spent on “economic development” that hasn’t worked, and let’s start having a real debate about a vision- and a visionary to lead us. We could start by doing a survey of registered voters- asking them to name their local city leaders, their county leaders, their state rep and senator and start seeing how many they know. If they only get 25% right- we should look to reduce elected officials by 75% to match for a starting goal.

At least if we’re going to be serious about being a contender.

We’ve seen the last twenty years of failure by local governments investments in private corporations. We’ve also seen a rise in gangs, drop out rates, crime.

Why? Because the City of Dayton stopped investing in the youth- and youth sports programs. We’ve cut our parks and rec’s program to bare bones. Look at Kettering- a BMX track, Delco park with it’s multitude of soccer fields- the Rob Dyrdek designed skate park. Dayton has amulti-million dollar fountain that misfires.

Greg Hunter and David Esrati talk about youth sports in todays Dayton Grassroots Daily Show v34

Let’s start investing in people- not corporations if we want to move Dayton forward again. Strong neighborhoods, strong youth programs, strong place to do business.

I made it to the “Citizens 4 Change” kickoff event at the main library this morning. So did Mayor Elect Gary Leitzell and former Dayton School Board candidate Jim Weir. We listened to political neophyte (because he doesn’t want to be a politician) give an hour and 15 minute ramble on how the “real people” will bring “real results” to changing Dayton. He talked a lot about something that doesn’t cost a penny, but we’re deep in debt on in our community: pride.

From his website:

Dec 19th: “Citizens 4 Change” Dayton Day! The moment that we have all been working so hard for. (Here's the rundown: Expected attendence: 70-85 Topics to be discussed. Operation “Dimes 4 Dayton”….A general overview of “Citizens 4 Change” Dayton….Intro of our Community Captains and open forum discussion for the residents and visitors who have general questions and or wish to have their voice heard on city improvement!

via Real People = Real Results!: Our “Citizens 4 Change” Schedule Dec 18-22nd.

Unfortunately, attendance was around two dozen people. No media coverage (unless you count me). But, it’s been my experience never to underestimate the power of a small group- or a US Army paratrooper.

Ken’s ideas are much like the strategy we’re using in Iraq to win over one neighborhood at a time as a way to stabilize and secure an area. However, he won’t have the resources of the US Government to back his teams up. He’s looking to fund his efforts with collection cans near cash registers- “dimes for Dayton” and to direct 100% of the proceeds to reinvestment.

He even talked about a social services hotline- something that we already have with the 211 system that no one knows about (Gary and I both learned of the SEVEN year old service on the campaign trail).

While it’s easy for people to write off Ken and his idealism, I find it refreshing to watch him and think back how I thought I could change Dayton back when I first ran for Mayor (that was 20 years ago). Looking at what’s left of our city after years of disinvestment and negativity, I’m not convinced that Ken can make a difference, but I’m going to be rooting for him and supporting him as best I can- and I’d ask that you do to.

What do we have to lose?

Responsible journalists don’t allow unsubstantiated claims to hit the paper- but, the Dayton Daily News seems to have no problem running a troll fest of unsigned commentary on their website.

Greg Hunter and David Esrati discuss this policy- and ask, “how long can this go on”- since it’s costing the entire communities reputation.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This is a follow up to last nights post: Facebook group founded to end trolls on Dayton Daily News site

There is a great article on Good.is about “Identity theft for Cities” that I’ve been waiting to talk about (after my last debacle post about race and regionalism. Maybe this time- we can keep the comments on subject.)

If you look on a map of the globe- we’ll be lucky to see Dayton with a dot if we don’t get our act together as a region soon. As it is, no matter how much people in Kettering think their independent 911 system was a good idea, they won’t be on any map- if Dayton continues its slide.

The reality is, as the United States begins to realize that we can’t depend on the internal combustion engine as a key part of our economy, and as oil prices climb back up as they will- the ability to live close to work will increase in value. As will the ability to bring things to your community via cost-effective transportation (rail, ship). It’s no different than life before the car- cities popped up by rivers and later by railroads because of the efficiencies involved.

With global populations climbing, people will gravitate to the areas that are most dense. In fact, Stewart Brand (of the “Whole Earth Catalog” fame) has now started to believe that not only are cities the fundamentally the smartest thing we’ve done as a civilization- but, he sees a future in squatter cities (which may make even more sense than tearing down homes in Dayton).

We have to grow, but grow compactly, in order to be competitive. Regionalism is just one part of this equation:

Regionalism makes complete sense conceptually. Our economies, our natural systems, and our transportation systems are, indeed, regional and require a regional approach.

Regionalism can be relatively easy to impose in regions with big, dominant core cities, such as New York and Chicago. In those regions, everyone knows what’s powering the economic engine, and no one can risk killing it off. The dominant city is favored, as it should be, in regional decisions because it’s in everyone’s clear interest to do so.

(Of course, I’ve made it sound easier than it is. Inevitably, there are petty conflicts and a protection of narrow interests in most such negotiations.)

But in those regions with cities of equal size or with a weak central city, the conflicts are writ large. The conflicts are even sharper in regions with a history of racial and economic segregation. That’s challenge enough. The real problem comes when, in the name of regionalism, decision makers become place agnostic. In other words, they can’t favor any one place in the region for fear of offending every other place in the region. That translates into development anywhere in the region being labeled as good development. If a road is built in one part of the region, it must be equalized with a road in another part of the region. If a cultural facility is awarded to one place, the next sports facility should surely be built elsewhere.

via Identity Theft for Cities | GOOD.

If you’ve noticed something about everything we’ve done in the name of regionalism- how we seem to have to focus on equality. Somehow, we’ve gotten the mistaken idea that things have to balance- suburban vs. urban, rich vs. poor- when the real equation is the region vs. the world.

We’re not going to get to regionalism until someone has the balls to stand up to all the economic development types- all the small-thinking mayors, all the “regional development” people and say- the only thing that counts is “Dayton” – big picture- the dot on the globe, not the city of. And for that to happen, we’re going to have to start eliminating fiefdoms and work for a kingdom.

It’s not about being fair- it’s about being relevant. We’ll have to put away our pettiness for this to happen.

I had a long conversation with a friend today. Someone inside the system, someone who wins elections. One on one, he stands up for me. In public, he keeps a safe distance. He wants me to change my style- I want him to stand up and take things head on. Somewhere, there is a middle ground- but, in Dayton it’s a no man’s land we don’t want to talk about, we avoid, we ignore and we pretend that it’s not the fundamental flaw- the root of all evil, what’s holding us back.

It’s as simple as this: Dayton is going to stay screwed until we integrate- and I’m not talking just Dayton, city of- I’m talking Dayton- regional.

This article that I quote below- from NewGeography.com is the most prescient article I’ve read that sums up what’s holding us back. And it’s not the fault of the black people- it’s a fault of all of us. From Oakwood with its handful of black students- to Wright Patterson Air Force Base which does a crappy job of reaching out into the local community to support small and minority business.

It’s our political parties that play games with elections, and our poor excuse for a Federal Judge Walter Rice- who can’t realize that the “desegregation” process imposed on Dayton Public Schools in the seventies- did nothing to integrate the suburbs – foisting white flight, sprawl and a permanent screwing of the core city.

We now have a group of people who are convinced we can become a “progressive” hip mecca- without realizing that until we find ways to employ our minorities, we’re going to continue to have a class struggle- and a mess on our hands. No amount of “bicycle friendliness” or “complete streets” compares with good schools with opportunity or jobs that pay more than just a hardscrabble wage.

I highly recommend you read the whole thing- not just this excerpt- to find out why the dreams of the “Dayton Development Coalition” and their “Regional Rally” aren’t going to get us there- until we address the fundamental problems:

As the college educated flock to these progressive El Dorados, many factors are cited as reasons: transit systems, density, bike lanes, walkable communities, robust art and cultural scenes. But another way to look at it is simply as White Flight writ large. Why move to the suburbs of your stodgy Midwest city to escape African Americans and get criticized for it when you can move to Portland and actually be praised as progressive, urban and hip? Many of the policies of Portland are not that dissimilar from those of upscale suburbs in their effects. Urban growth boundaries and other mechanisms raise land prices and render housing less affordable exactly the same as large lot zoning and building codes that mandate brick and other expensive materials do. They both contribute to reducing housing affordability for historically disadvantaged communities. Just like the most exclusive suburbs….

Lack of diversity in culture makes it far easier to implement “progressive” policies that cater to populations with similar values; much the same can be seen in such celebrated urban model cultures in the Netherlands and Scandinavia. Their relative wealth also leads to a natural adoption of the default strategy of the upscale suburb: the nicest stuff for the people with the most money. It is much more difficult when you have more racially and economically diverse populations with different needs, interests, and desires to reconcile.In contrast, the starker part of racial history in America has been one of the defining elements of the history of the cities of the Northeast, Midwest, and South. Slavery and Jim Crow led to the Great Migration to the industrial North, which broke the old ethnic machine urban consensus there. Civil rights struggles, fair housing, affirmative action, school integration and busing, riots, red lining, block busting, public housing, the emergence of black political leaders – especially mayors – prompted white flight and the associated disinvestment, leading to the decline of urban schools and neighborhoods.

via The White City | Newgeography.com.

The only way we are going to fix ourselves- and to balance things out, is going to take a gigantic community gut check- a deep swallow of humility, and a strong communal spine- one that stands up for what is right – really right. It’s going to take a Dr. King or Gandhi-like leaders- to march us down the path to what we have to do to compete- and survive: regionalize and integrate, whole hog, everything.

One government, one school system, one income tax, one zoning code, one region under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

And not just Montgomery County- we’d include Beavercreek, Fairborn, Springboro- even Xenia, Tipp and Troy if they were smart. Springfield too if they’d like. We’d become big, and we’d learn to share. We’d find the best of the best to lead us- and pay them well. We’d stop thinking small- and think like an Army taking on a battle of international proportions. We’d make sure that we thought about the big picture first- and stopped sweating the small stuff.

Of course, I’m crazy for thinking this- or saying it. In Dayton, we don’t do anything without a collective hug, and the blessing of the poobahs. But, as long as we stay divided, we’ll continue to fail.

The moment our numbers start being looked at as a region, and we start acting as one, we can start addressing the real inequities in Dayton, the ones that are holding us back. We can stop “protecting our turf” and start actually harvesting it and selling it to the world.

I’m not suggesting I can lead the charge, but at least I can call for it. I don’t have to protect myself, my position, or my power base. Call me an antagonist, call me a jerk, but- then look inside and after reading the article quoted above- tell me if there is another way to go. I want to know.

My neighbor Larry Sizer sent me a video- and as a BMW rider, who was already in love with the C-1 model enclosed scooter,

Click here to view the embedded video.

this made it look like a half finished idea.

Meet the EcoCycle, made by:

PERAVES Ltd. was founded in 1974 and produces MOTOR VEHICLES and INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES(ICE). Since 1987 we are market leaders in CABIN MOTORCYCLES. Presently the MonoTracer® with conventional BMW-ICE is in production. A BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE (BEV) with ELECTRIC motor is being tested with a street legal PROTOTYPE and a market launch, E-Tracer®, is imminent. A HYBRID-MODEL with PERAVES-SUPERBALLMOTOR® is also under development.

via Welcome to Peraves AG Winterthur – MONOTRACER – SUPERBALL MOTOR – ECOMOBILE.

(sorry about the ALL CAPS- the SWISS must think it MAKES THINGS SEEM MORE IMPORTANT).

Here is the video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The EcoCycle is a converted BMW bike- that’s fully enclosed, with outrigger wheels that deploy when the bike slows down. No more rainsuits, or scuffed up dress shoes (and people wonder why I wear jeans most of the time- it’s because I ride most of the time). Obviously, fuel economy is on par or better than a motorcycle- meaning an instant doubling of most peoples fuel economy.

This is the kind of forward thinking manufacturing we need to be attracting to Dayton- and putting this city back on the map.