This is almost too strange. I’ve always been ticked to see the pre-election edition of “Dayton Update” mailed to every household in the city touting our illustrious leaders and all their magnificent achievements, at taxpayer expense. It reminds me of the franked mail I always get from Congressman Turner just as he’s about to get re-elected.

But today, a supporter dropped off two manila envelopes, return address “OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, CITY HALL, 101 W. THIRD STREET PO BOX 22 DAYTON OHIO 45401” – with a dot matrix printed Avery address label- with some funny coding above the addressee. Mind you- both were to the same household, but with different people. One was sent for $2.07 containing the following:

• a card with the City seal and “I believe you may find the attached material of interest… Rhine McLin, MAYOR DAYTON OHIO”
• a torn copy of “School Reform News” Sep 09 with the Mayor’s address scribbled over.
• a copy of St. Mary Development Corporation brochure and their annual report for 2008
• a copy of Miami Valley Hospital “EmployeeCare News”
• an 8-page Montgomery County Solid Waste District “Keep Montgomery County Beautiful” brochure
• The University of Dayton “The arts at UD” mailer for Fall 09- with the Mayor’s address scribbled over.
• A copy of “Message” magazine- a quasi religious publication edited by “Washington Johnson II, D. Min.” with the Mayor’s address scribbled over.

The second envelope, which was sent priority mail at a cost of $4.95 was addressed similarly, and included:

• a card with the City seal and “I believe you may find the attached material of interest… Rhine McLin, MAYOR DAYTON OHIO”
• an 8-page Montgomery County Solid Waste District “Keep Montgomery County Beautiful” brochure
• The 2009 Kids Count Data book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation- 144 pages plus cover.
• The Aug/Sept copy of Business Week Small Biz magazine, 68 pages plus cover- with the Mayor’s address scribbled over.
• “Cost, Commitment, and Attainment in Higher Education- An international Comparison” May 2009 edition, from “Jobs for the Future” 26 pages plus cover.
• “Vital Link” Summer 2009- An 8 pager from the Foundation for Community Blood Center- with the Mayor’s address scribbled over.

Not only is this a waste of taxpayer dollars- both for the postage and the time someone in City Hall wasted putting this all together, it amounts to abuse of office, using city money to further her political standing. It also is incredibly tacky.

Both were dated Aug 28, 2009

If you’ve received a package like this, please let us know in the comments.

Maybe we need to do a Freedom of Information Act request to see how much Mayor McLin is wasting in postage getting rid of her old mail? If anyone in City Hall wants to blow the whistle- you can e-mail me at [email protected] and I guarantee confidentiality.

Thanks.