>Well, it's been over a month since my last post. Sorry about that. There's been plenty going on but I actually haven't had much to say. I've either been too busy or too tired to care. But I do care and a recent post on the Most Metro Forum hit the nail on the head as to why I feel so exasperated:
As far as public opinion is concerned, I think the city has reached such a low point that no matter what city leaders do, they are damned if they do and damned if they don't. I'm all for criticism where criticism is due (I've certainly done my share over the years), but I can't believe the animosity shown toward the city and those running it by the region at large. Has it always been like this? The disconnect between the region-at-large and the city has reached a point that seems possibly past the point of no return.
I'm not a city employee but I a'm a county employee. I don't just have a desk job. I'm out in the community - lots of communities. I have to say it's hard to stay positive when you continually take a beating. As a government employee it's disheartening that local municipalities (leaders and citizens alike) look upon each other like they do. It's disappointing that within the region some people don't understand that a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link (sorry for the cliche but I think it's true).
I'm not calling Dayton weak but it has some serious flaws and deficits. It has an uphill battle that seems insurmountable and its leaders truly are damned if they do and damned if they don't. And it doesn't help that suburbs don't need to act like a region when they're flourishing. They live their insular lives in what they consider to be thriving communities, proud of the fact that they escaped Dayton. Other disadvantages include the disparity created by Ohio's tax codes, specifically in relation to sales tax, property tax, income tax, and how those relate to cities, townships, villages, etc. but that could be a post of its own!
The sad thing is that most people are quick to point fingers rather than lend a hand. Even the business community is chiming in with public declarations of having no confidence in the leadership. There haven't been headlines to that effect but various quotes in certain articles in the Dayton Business Journal and the Dayton Daily News have pretty much said that. (Sorry I don't have direct links. I think I actually read the stories in the hard copy of those papers). So it's no wonder development efforts are fragmented. Everyone is busy carving their own piece of the pie. Additionally, I'm hearing and also now seeing in the paper that Dayton's relationship with the business community still hasn't improved - even with the creation of the Dayton Business Resource Center. What's that all about? Do fingers need to be pointed in this case?
Ironically, the entire development issue has me perplexed because some people talk out of both sides of their mouths. Some people think government shouldn't be involved in economic development but think it's the city's/county's job to attract and retain businesses. So which is it?
If citizens want change they should speak up and/or get involved. Voting is both a right and a responsibility but I don't think it stops there. Daytonians need to take part in their own fate (and so does the region). Likewise, if private industry wants attention it should speak up and also demand change. To me it's a sad day when community leaders (citizens, volunteers) and private industry leaders are all ready to give up. Who does that leave to be our champions?
Speaking of champions and people taking matters into their own hands, kudos to Peter Benkendorf and Mike Elsass for spearheading http://www.tenlivingcities.org/. Check it out. Get involved. Attend. Volunteer. Make a difference. Show the world we're not dead!
I blogged that there might be a political agenda at work, one thats about trying to oust McLin and the Democrats by driving up their negatives. I think thats behind the barrage of comments at the DDN.
Posted by: Jeff | July 20, 2009 at 05:37 PM