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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2009 > November > 01 > Entry
Editoral: Races aren’t too sexy, but they really count
There is no race for president, nor will voters get to choose a governor, a U.S. senator or anyone for statewide office on Tuesday.
In what’s officially considered an off-election year — because all the candidate contests involve municipal, township and school board positions — there is just one marquee issue. Casino owners are trying again to open the state to gambling.
But as strongly as some people feel about that issue, it still doesn’t have the drawing power of major national and state political races.
As a result, a strong majority of registered voters probably will stay home Tuesday. Turnout for Montgomery County is projected to be less than 40 percent.
The reason to take a stand and pick a side is that many of the races will impact you in direct and concrete ways.
Choices for city council, township trustee and school board play a big role in determining the level of services residents receive and, yes, the taxes we pay. And, as happens every year, this election has cases that require a discerning eye from informed voters.
In some instances, the choices raise questions about what’s acceptable behavior for elected leaders. In other cases, voters must pick the best choice from among multiple strong candidates.
Consider the Harrison Twp. trustee contests. Two candidates on the ballot have ties to the adult entertainment businesses in a community where frustration with strip clubs and sex shops is a continuing theme.
Candidate Julie Caserta’s husband co-owns the Naughty ‘N Nice adult store on Dixie Drive. Her husband’s business partner is related to the owners of The Living Room strip club.
Also running is Georgeann Godsey, who works for the management company that owns the shopping center where The Living Room and Naughty ‘N Nice are located. Trustees make key decisions about zoning and law enforcement that can affect adult businesses.
Meanwhile, Trotwood is in such a financial bind that it has four tax issues on the ballot. They affect the city’s most basic operations, like filling potholes and keeping ambulances on the street. Even if voters approve all of the requests, the city will remain on shaky finanical ground. Yet, two candidates for city council are delinquent on their own property taxes.
Janice Chinn, a candidate for the 2nd Ward council seat, owes $4,254, while Mattie Clay, a candidate for the 1st Ward seat, owes $2,602. Both have been behind on their taxes for more than a decade.
As financially strapped as Trotwood is, every dollar in unpaid taxes makes it that much harder for the city to offer the services residents need.
In West Carrollton, Edward Jones wants to be one of the city’s council members just a year after he was convicted of a felony charge of receiving stolen property. He was caught on video taking merchandise from a discount store that ended up on the shelves of a store owned by his ex-wife.
At the other end of the spectrum, there are the Washington Twp. trustees contests. There, incumbents Joyce Young and Lee Snyder are opposed by newcomer Scott Paulson in one race. Incumbent Dale Berry is opposed by Harry Drain and Kenneth Parks in the other.
All six candidates have strengths. Ms. Young, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Berry and Mr. Drain have experience as trustees, while Mr. Parks is the former township fire chief. Mr. Paulson is an active community volunteer and a key player who helped grow a start-up company into a significant employer in Springboro.
Township voters who do go to the polls Tuesday will have the pleasant job of picking three winners among six good candidates.
There are similarly strong fields running for Centerville’s, Kettering’s and Beavercreek’s city councils, and for school board in Kettering and Springboro.
If you’re a registered voter, it’s not too late to get educated. Making an informed vote is the only way to ensure your community has thoughtful people making decisions you can live with.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Editorials, Elections, Scott Elliott
Comments
By a real resident
November 1, 2009 7:57 AM | Link to this
If the DDN reporters had done all their investigative work they would know how adamantly Mrs. Godsey opposes sex clubs and problem bars. However that does not sell papers. She is quite educated and simply works for a company that manages thousands of SF of commercial property all over Dayton. Report the facts instead of your interpretation!!
By a real resident
November 1, 2009 7:58 AM | Link to this
If the DDN reporters had done all their investigative work they would know how adamantly Mrs. Godsey opposes sex clubs and problem bars. However that does not sell papers. She is quite educated and simply works for a company that manages thousands of SF of commercial property all over Dayton. Report the facts instead of your interpretation!!
By a real resident
November 1, 2009 7:58 AM | Link to this
If the DDN reporters had done all their investigative work they would know how adamantly Mrs. Godsey opposes sex clubs and problem bars. However that does not sell papers. She is quite educated and simply works for a company that manages thousands of SF of commercial property all over Dayton. Report the facts instead of your interpretation!!
By an informed voter
November 1, 2009 8:21 AM | Link to this
As Mrs.Godsey pointed out at the Town Hall meeting. The county takes money from the clubs as well as some (not her) politicians campaign funds. Does this mean all county employees are “tied to the clubs” too?
By Concerned Reader
November 1, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this
After last weeks article and blog why would you continue to make false accusations when at the debate for Harrison Twp it was determined that the current Trustees and Sheriff’s office not only turn their backs for these “sex” establishments but they also take campaign money. Would accurate reporting require you to leave your office?
By concerned reader
November 1, 2009 9:22 AM | Link to this
Harrison Twp has very strong regulations about the creation of new “sex” establishments that the Trustees and Zoning Board cannot change. Next tim do your homework.
By not a poet
November 1, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this
They say that I’m a loser that I can should never win I’ve lived my life on coat tails my last name is Mclin My daddy buried dead folk from the west side of the town I’m hoping my supporters can rise up from the ground. The city’s dying a real slow death of which I’ve played my part From East to West to North to South The businesses have moved out. Come election day please hear my plea and cast your vote for me Remember my name and remember my hats and finally stop the hatin. Give me 4 more years to finish my job and completely kill off Dayton.
By Joe
November 1, 2009 8:23 PM | Link to this
I find it amazing DDN does not mention the fact that the Chief Deputy at the Sheriff’s Dept. is running for Miami Twp. trustee. He was eliminated for consideration when screened for Sheriff. Why? funny DDN doesn’t ask or do an appropriate story yet levy attacks and inuendos against Godsey and Caserta. Nor do they mention anything furhter about the Preston debacle from Miami Twp. Not much is going to change in the county with these candidates in this election cycle. SOMEONE help us!!!
By Hey Joe
November 2, 2009 7:41 AM | Link to this
Hey Joe, Nolan wasn’t eliminated, he withdrew. Vore threw a tantrum after he handpicked his replacement. Why do you think Nolan is Chief now, which pays more than Sheriff? It was a buy off job. Nolan could have beat Nolan, he’s a better cop and a better speaker. Sucks that he didn’t get a chance. Vore might as well have never left. Same mind set is running the place now, only dumber.
By Adams a Bad choice
November 2, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this
Added omissions are reinforcing Harrison Township voters of deliberate TYPO’s. Besides Steve Adams residency and resume TYPO’s is his deliberate misrepresentation about his illegal activity with alcohol and trouble with the law. His crusade to save others from alcohol, bars, and sex addiction is more a redemption from HIS bad illegal choices. Ironic is that Steve Adams was MORE than a regular patron of the establishments he politically exploits. His defense contends his record is not a topic for discourse because he is forgiven and a churchgoer- well so are inmates. Mr. Adams problems with “The Strip” are based on his failure to control and look beyond N. Dixie Dr. as the “corridor”. Address the real problems of Harrison Township- unemployment, crime and poverty. Look at streets like Keowee, Main, Philadelphia, Salem, etc. Stop deflecting the real problems and address solutions, other a Hockey Rink and scaffold scorns.