James Cummings probably reads esrati.com

Last week I wrote about 500 signatures vs. 50 and the lack of choice in the Dayton City Commission race. Today, James Cummings writes about the lack of choice in the Dayton City Commission race. I’d have a quote from him- but the DDN site won’t load anything but ads on the page for his column. It’s fixed now.

Try it on your own:

James Cummings: Newer faces needed in the political process

There’s something wrong with this picture. How many times have you heard someone say how much better the city would be if they were in charge? Where are those people now when there’s a chance to actually make some changes rather than just talk about them?

And the answer is: I’ve run or tried to run 6x. I’ve been arrested and persecuted by former Mayor and now Congressman Turner for 2.5 years- without any support from the Dayton Daily News- who at one time called me an “ad guy with not much to say.” Even when I had the endorsement of the IAFF (Firefighters union) it never made the press. The Democratic party seems content to run candidates like Matt Joseph who just collect a check.

It takes a lot of time and money to run- and it takes its toll. Without party support- it’s almost a guaranteed disaster. The only reason Lovelace ever won- was it was a special election- and I drew enough votes from Judy Orick and Mary Sue Kessler to allow him to win.

On the other hand, it’s kind of disturbing not having anybody in a city the size of Dayton step up to say “I think I can do better.”

Of course, if you go to screen for the party central committee when the decisions been made (or the deals brokered) you are seen as “disloyal” instead of as a person who is trying to raise the level of discourse in a city in desperate need of new ideas.

So when Matt Joseph says:

“It’s just wrong for a city this size to have uncontested city commission races,” Joseph said. “It’s an honor to serve as a city commissioner in Dayton, and we should be having good people trying to beat me.”

Next time- ask the party floor for challengers- and be willing to debate them on issues. Put your seat in play every year- instead of expecting a rubber stamp, that would be putting your money where your mouth is.

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