All praise chairman McLin!

McLin, Mao, Stalin, Saddam- all worthy of huge murals to be posted in prominent places for the people to be reminded of their greatness. NOT.

Tile mosaic mural of former Mayor Rhine McLin at Dayton International Airport

Chairman McLin watches over us

I’m not sure when this large tile mosaic went up at Dayton “International” Airport, but I find it personally objectionable on many levels.

I asked on Facebook (where this got a lot of commentary) how much was spent on this monstrosity- to which one friend said it was donated.

Others were also appalled that this image is representing Dayton- instead of a photograph of our skyline (reader and photo ace Jim Crotty volunteered one of his photos).

Many were thankful that she wasn’t wearing her “goofy glasses” or a hat- but, beside that- I find any public display of politicians’ names and likenesses an affront to the taxpayers and have said so previously. In my post “Ban political signs at taxpayer expense” back in 2007, I suggested that all use of candidates’ names- from the stickers on the gas pumps, to the letterhead for the County Treasurer to the “Welcome to Ohio, John Doe, Governor” should be paid for out of the candidates’ campaign funds.

I don’t like it when Karl Keith makes his face the favicon for the County Website, either. He should be charged per page view, just like any other online advertising.

But most importantly, although I was mocked by the Dayton Daily News editorial board for suggesting it, the airport is a regional asset, not a Dayton one, and should be governed and paid for by the entire region. Putting the former mayor’s image up instead of a “Welcome to Dayton,” “Get Midwest” or “H2Open for Business” sign- is a colossal lost opportunity.

The airport has back-lit billboards for business as revenue generators throughout the building- how much revenue is lost from this prime location?

If McLin’s friends want to hang a portrait of her, do it in a building that you pay for and own- not one that’s owned by the taxpayers. We voted her out of office for a reason. Get used to it.

If this monstrosity isn’t down in a week, it’s time for a criminal investigation. Free campaign signs for her next election attempt shuld NOT be on public property.

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