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Thoughts on a forum

Last night was another candidates forum. Not a debate. By order of speaking, the Mayor got to take a few final pot shots, without worry of being exposed as a fraud.

The two points she made:

1) “The commission doesn’t meet in secret.”  Flat out lie, and breaking the law. The commission is supposed to meet once a week by charter, to discuss city business. The times are set to rotate mornings and evenings on Wednesdays. Anything other than those set meetings, must be called by using the process for an emergency meeting. They do this weekly. There are no TV cameras, no minutes, no recordings of their “work sessions.” There is no provision for “work sessions” in the Charter- making them secret, illegal meetings.

2) A flip comment about “civility” and “the team.” Ms. Mayor, there is no “I” in team. You have no clue what a team is, or how it operates. You fail to understand that your job, as stipulated by charter (law) is to be the head of the commission, and that the City Manager is supposed to lead the city. Under your “reign” of city hall, we have barely heard a peep out of the City Managers, but lots from you. Having a “united front” with steady 5-0 votes is not serving this city, or moving us forward. Adding a voice to the commission that asks questions has nothing to do with “civility.” The real question is who do you really speak for, since you at one point were considering stopping citizens from speaking at the commission? Are you just interested in collecting $10,000 donations from demolition contractors from out of town?

On the Mayor’s “big idea” I also have questions:

Mayor Rhine McLin proposed an initiative using the city’s vast, and affordable, housing stock to entice college students to remain in Dayton after they graduate.

“A lot of young people want to live, work and play in the same area,” she said. “Young people would be able to (cheaply) take over houses after they graduate.”

via Candidates challenged with tough questions from young voters [1].

In a city that you can buy a house for less than the price of a good used car, what kind of “initiative” are you going to do to hand over homes to young college students? You’ve already made home ownership so affordable with your failed policies. You’ll also have to make up your mind if you want to tear down homes in record numbers with the Neighborhood Stabilization Program money- or actually try to fill those homes.

I would much prefer a real debate, to these kind of Q&A sessions, but, that’s beyond my power to make happen. Hint to future forums; compound questions may seem like a smart idea to cover more things in a short period of time, but they allow to much pick-and-choose responses. Ask focused questions if you want to provide an opportunity for real comparisons.

As to my two minute answers, I’m not the best at short form.

I’ve written about all of the things I’ve talked about, at length, in the past on this site. If you look for a walk to work tax credit, bike sharing and bcycle, eliminating corporate welfare, enabling better adaptive reuse of downtown buildings, H1B visas and HUBzones – you’ll find not only a full explanation, but also a discussion. I probably should have said more about my support of regional government/cooperation too, but, didn’t get it in.

As I said many times last night- try to post a question on any of “the teams” websites- and look for a response. Good luck. I have them all listed on the front page of www.electesrati.com [2]

Any other feedback or discussion from last night? Please comment.

Thank you. Remember, fundraiser tomorrow nigh [3]t- and Tuesday night. I’m not taking $10K checks from demolition contractors like the Mayor- do you have $50 for a night of find food and thoughtful discussion?

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Jennifer

http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Legal/Sunshine-laws

To download a copy of the Sunshine Laws or order a copy, go the above link. Anyone that attends public meetings or attempts to get Public Records should have a copy of this.  Not only are these emergency sessions against the law…but not having an audio/video or transcribed notes of the meetings are as well. I have fought for several yrs with Greene County BOE about this, when you do a public records request for board meeting minutes they send you a copy of the Meeting Agenda…4  lines at best “old business” “new business”  “invoices” “personal”   

“Sunshine Laws
Ohio’s Open Records and Open Meetings laws, collectively known as the “Sunshine Laws,” give Ohioans access to government meetings and records.”

Jennifer

Sunshine Laws pg. 114

“c. Emergency Meetings: An emergency meeting is a special meeting that is convened when a situation requires immediate official action. When an emergency meeting is scheduled, the public body must immediately notify all media outlets and people who have specfically requested such notice, of the time, place and purpose of the emergency meeting. The purpose statement must comport with the specificity requirements discussed above.”

David, have you requested to have your name & contact info placed on the list of those that are contacted when these Emergency Meetings take place? Have you ever attednde these meetings & documented the dates & reasons for the Emergency status?

Drexel Dave Sparks

video?

Molly Darcy

So where’s the video David?  Did the evening not go so well for you?

pizzabill

Molly,  You bring up a great point:  It’s a little too convenient for people like yourself to sit around and not really participate and just throw comments out on blogs.  At least David is not only throwing out comments on blogs, he’s participating way beyond what most people would ever consider and sincerely trying to effect a positive change, and has been doing so for years.
If you’re unwilling to go to the trouble of going to a meeting yourself and still want to complain about not having video, guess what… David’s your candidate!
Here’s an idea:  You really want Dayton to be better?  How about  you get off your own ass and go to the meeting and participate instead of waiting for David to do the work for you.
 

Molly Darcy

Who said I wasn’t there pizzabill???  I just think it’s interesting that David chose not to post the video.

Joe

Dave, I have to say you are the only candidate that I’ve actually met in person (at The Ohio Coffee Company grand opening). This tremendous fact alone will probably get you my vote in November. These other candidates are strangers to me, and I want a representative I can approach and talk to. Your ideas appeal to me. I hope you can get the job done.

Jeff

It’s a little too convenient for people like yourself to sit around and not really participate and just throw comments out on blogs.
 
Trying to play gatekeeper by credentialing blog posters, and maybe even bloggers themselves.  Priceless.  Sort of like saying people should be silent on US military policy if they aren’t in the army, or have family in the army.