Where is Dayton’s best takeout??

By rmarcano@daytondailynews.com | Tuesday, November 15, 2005, 09:11 AM

From Brother Ray:

A dear friend and colleague of mine asked me that question yesterday —- where is Dayton’s best takeout? I didn’t identify any of the chains —- you know how I feel about them. But there are a number of excellent places that have terrific takeout, and you can eat in at many of them, too.

Hook’s barbecue on N. Gettysburg has outstanding cheese steaks, polish sausages and rib sandwiches.

Anything at La Pergola on E. Dorothy Lane in Kettering is terrific.

DiSalvo’s deli in Kettering has great sandwiches, as does Charlies Imports in Old North Dayton and the Little Store in Vandalia. I still salivate over the burgers at Voltzy’s in Moraine.

When you think of take out you often think Chinese, and Chop Suey Carry Out on East Dorothy Lane is pretty darn good.

But those are just my choices. What are yours? My friend wants to know.

And …. thank you Sister Susan and Brother Big T. for your recipes. They’re not in a black hole. I’m running Susan’s on Wednesday and Big T’s next week … just in time for Turkey Day.

Peace all.

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Is redistricting really needed?

By Maggie Short | Wednesday, November 9, 2005, 11:27 PM

Now that election is over and four out of the state issues have failed, it’s time for some politicians to try again.

In a response to Issue 4 failing, State Rep. Kevin DeWine will lead an effort to come up with proposals to improve Ohio’s system of drawing state legislative and U.S. House districts. Read the article for more information.

Is redistricting an issue you care about? If you don’t, why?

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Keep the election talk going

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Wednesday, November 9, 2005, 09:04 AM

Well, as this blog is titled, “the votes are in” for this year. But that doesn’t mean we’re ready to quit talking about the election.

Let’s talk about this year’s vote. What result pleased you the most? What disappointed you? What would you like to see on next year’s ballot?

Next year is a big year in statewide elections. They may be more interesting than they have been in a long time, given the problems Gov. Bob Taft has faced this year. Who would you like to see elected governor in 2006?

How could our election process be improved?

Submit your comments below.

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Troy voters overturn development, oust Dem council member

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Wednesday, November 9, 2005, 12:40 AM

Despite an expensive, hard-fought campaign, Troy developer Jessica Minesinger failed to convince Troy voters her proposal for 122 houses was right for 57 acres across from Concord Elementary School.

By an unofficial vote of 63 percent to 37 percent, voters Tuesday overturned Troy City Council’s approval of Minesinger’s Summerfield development.

Voters in 2003 rejected a rezoning of the same land 68 percent to 32 percent.

In a rematch of perhaps the closest contest in the history of the Troy City Council, Republican Jarrod Harrah unseated the council’s lone Democrat, Frank Hutchinson, 55 percent to 45 percent.

Voters also narrowly rejected the extension of terms from two years to four years for Troy council members (51 percent to 49 percent) and the council president (52 percent to 48 percent).

Troy school district voters also chose to renew a five-year, 0.65-mill levy supporting the Hayner Cultural Center by a 68 percent to 32 percent margin.

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Tipp City picks 2 new, 2 returning council members

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Wednesday, November 9, 2005, 12:09 AM

Tipp City voters kept two current council members and chose two new ones in Tuesday’s general election.

Vickie Blakey, who has served as mayor and council president during her first four-year term, received the most votes of the six candidates, according to the Miami County Board of Elections. Also elected were fellow council member Bill Beagle, who was appointed to council in 2003 when Carol McKeever resigned. New to the council will be Tim Evans and Patrick Hale.

Two current council members, Keith Kingrey and Adam Blake, chose not to seek re-election.

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Patterson way ahead in Kettering

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 11:40 PM

Don Patterson had a healthy lead in the three-way Kettering mayor’s race. With 61 percent of the votes tallied, Patterson had 55.75 percent, followed by Bruce Duke with 30.75 percent and Richard Hartmann with 13.5 percent.

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Springboro school levy passing

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 10:41 PM

With 80 percent of the votes tallied Tuesday night, the Springboro Community School District’s $7.2 million proposed property tax levy was winning, according to unofficial elections results. In the city of Springboro and Clearcreek Twp., 53 percent of votes cast Tuesday were for the levy proposal with 47 percent against it, the Warren County Board of Elections reported.

Voters twice this year defeated the proposed three-year levy needed to pay for the operations of the district’s five buildings and two new elementary schools. If the levy is defeated, the new schools will remain closed indefinitely, until a property tax is passed, and kindergarten busing will be significantly scaled back. The district this fall cut high school busing as a result of the two previous defeats.

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McLin re-elected as Dayton mayor

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 10:34 PM

Dayton voters appear to have re-elected Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin to a second term. With 91.4 percent of the vote counted, McLin leads challenger David R. Bohardt by a margin of 54 percent to 46 percent. Shortly after 10:30 p.m. Bohardt conceded defeat.

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Trotwood levies all passing

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 10:28 PM

Trotwood residents are passing all their school and street levies with 73 percent of the precincts reporting. The 1-mill and 0.74 mill street levy renewals are passing with about 60 percent voting yes. Trotwood-Madison’s 0.9 mill replacement levy also has 60 percent approval, but its 7.8 mill operating additional levy is only narrowly ahead.

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New Lebanon income tax too close to call

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 10:25 PM

The New Lebanon Local School District’s 0.5 percent income tax proposal is virtually tied with 18 percent of the votes counted, according to the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

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Trustees ahead in Jefferson Twp.

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 10:17 PM

Incumbent Jefferson Twp. trustees Angela Jones and Brice Sims lead challengers Rosie Dell and Richelle Ramey with 29 percent of the vote counted, according to the Montgomery County Board of Elections. The top two vote-getters will be elected.

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Pennewitt wins Xenia mayor

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 10:09 PM

City Councilwoman Phyllis A. Pennewitt edged out three other council members to become Xenia’s third female mayor, according to unofficial final results from the Greene County Board of Election. Pennewitt had 36 percent of the vote. She said a new day is dawning in the city and she looks forward to serving the community.

“I just praise the Lord that we live in a country that you can vote,” she said. “I will be a positive ambassador and champion for our hometown.”

The 70-year-old retired accountant, who has served four years on council, will succeed Mayor John Saraga. Xenia’s mayor of eight years, did not seek re-election.

Pennewitt was followed by Bill Miller with 27 percent of the vote. Lee G. Esprit Jr. had 24 percent, and Lawrence W. Gordon, whose seat on the city council will expire at year’s end, received 13 percent.

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Sugarcreek Twp., Bellbrook split on merger study

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 10:03 PM

With 50 percent of the precincts in Sugarcreek Twp. reporting, a study of merging the township with Bellbrook was being defeated, with 34 percent for the study and 66 percent against it. However, Bellbrook voters were approving the merger study with 71 percent of the precincts counted. The vote was 74 percent for it and 26 percent against it. To pass, the merger study must have a majority vote (51 percent) in both Bellbrook and Sugarcreek Twp.

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Xenia mayor: Pennewitt has narrow lead

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 09:48 PM

City Councilwoman Phyllis A. Pennewitt was edging out three other council members to be Xenia mayor with almost 80 percent of precincts counted, according to unofficial results from the Greene County Board of Election. Pennewitt had 36 percent of the vote. She was followed by Bill Miller with 27 percent and Lee G. Esprit Jr. had 24 percent. Lawrence W. Gordon, whose seat on the city council is expiring, is received 14 percent of the vote.

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McLin leads in Dayton mayoral race

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 09:45 PM

With almost half the precincts counted, Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin seemed headed for re-election Tuesday, with a lead of 56 percent to 44 percent over David R. Bohardt.

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Sugarcreek Twp. trustee race tight

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 09:38 PM

With 33 percent of the precincts reporting in Sugarcreek Twp. in Greene County, Trustees Nadine Daugherty and Marvin Moeller were tied, with each having 32 percent of the vote. Michael Pittman had a narrow lead, with 35 percent of the vote

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Sugarcreek Twp., Bellbrook split on merger study

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 09:33 PM

The Sugarcreek/Bellbrook merger study was being defeated in Sugarcreek Twp. in Greene County with 33 percent of the vote counted. The vote was 64 percent no to 36 percent yes. In Bellbrook, with 43 percent of the precincts reporting, the merger study was passing with 73 percent voting yes and 27 percent voting no.

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Xenia school levies passing

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 09:30 PM

Xenia schools’ 1.3-mill permanent improvement levy and a 13.4-mill emergency operating levy renewal are passing by 57 percent and 53 percent, respectively, with 80 percent of the precincts reporting. Both are for five years.

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Beavercreek schools renewal passing

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 09:18 PM

With more than half of the precincts reporting, Beavercreek schools’ 8.2-mill emergency operating levy renewal is passing, 61 percent to 39 percent.

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Xenia rejecting fluoride initiative

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 09:07 PM

With 70 percent of precincts reporting, Xenia voters were rejecting an initiative to add fluoride to the drinking water by 37 percent to 63 percent, according to unofficial results from the Greene County Board of Election.

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Kids Voting: McLin re-elected; Issues 1, 2 pass

By jlloyd@coxohio.com | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 07:36 PM

Well, the kids have voted, and they’ve chosen Mayor Rhine McLin for a second term.

Almost 12,000 students, kindergarteners through grade 12 from Clark, Clinton, Greene, Miami, Montgomery and Warren counties, cast ballots in Kids Voting’s online election. They voted on the same local candidates and issues as adults. Check all the Kids Voting results.

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Technical difficulties with voting machines

By Gina | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 12:08 PM

Election Day got off to a rough start Tuesday in some precincts in Montgomery County, where new touch-screen voting machines are being used for the first time.

The machines, which officials said are more accurate and are expected to speed up the vote-counting process, are being used in about half of Ohio’s 88 counties, including Greene and Miami.

Sporadic problems were reported throughout Montgomery County, including Miamisburg, Washington Twp. and Dayton. Mike Petkus, 47, of Dayton said that when he went to cast his ballot at Kiser Middle School in north Dayton, he had the Northridge school board candidates on his touch screen rather than the Dayton school board.

He thought, ‘I don’t have time to play games but this isn’t right,’ ” he said. As he was leaving the polling place to get to work, he said, “another guy was raising that same red flag.” “I think there was some very poor checking,” he said. Montgomery County Board of Elections Director Steve Harsman acknowledged there were some expected and unexpected problems, though he was pleased overall with the way things were running.

“We had some minor issues, some expected situations this morning rolling out a new voting system of this magnitude,” he said.

His office received 30 to 40 calls from precincts reporting a “low paper error” on some of the machines even though each contained a new roll of paper.

Harsman believes the machines got jostled while moved to the polling locations, shaking a bracket and causing a sensor to go off.

Voters should have been able to use other machines while roving troubleshooters remedied the problem, he said. Harsman said there were also some scattered reports of poll workers who were not able to properly insert the memory cards into the machines.

At one Washington Twp. precinct, two of the eight voting machines were reportedly taken out of service in the morning because of snafus.

In Miamisburg, a voter who went to cast his ballot at a precinct in the Miamisburg library at 7 a.m. said he wasn’t able to vote because the new machines were displaying ballots for a Warren County precinct.

He said poll operators told him they had to cancel all the ballots of people who had tried to vote there earlier because they all said the wrong ballots were displayed.

Harsman said that particular precinct is a split precinct covering two school districts, Miamisburg and Carlisle. He said a troubleshooter was sent out and reported about 9 a.m. the problem had been corrected.

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Thunderstorm shakes up polls in Troy

By Gina | Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 11:53 AM

TROY — As thunder rumbled outside the Miami County Courthouse, the half dozen phone lines in the Board of Elections were lighting up at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Election board members and staff and technicians from electronic voting machine manufacturer Diebold were hoping the atmosphere outside was not a harbinger of the Election Day to come. The day started out rough, but as the thunderstorm passed, so did many of the problems. The elections director and deputy director were on the road well before dawn to help professional movers hired to deploy the county’s more than 300 new voting machines finish setting up the machines. The job — expected to be completed Monday — was not finished because of difficulty with movers from outside the area having problems finding some polling places. Other polling locations were locked when the movers arrived late. Early calls Tuesday concerned paper inside each machine — for the required paper trail — being installed backwards. In other cases, poll workers couldn’t get machines started because the memory cards to activate them were inserted improperly. Diebold workers, elections staff, extra election troubleshooters and the regional representative for the Ohio Secretary of State, walked poll workers through several problems. At 6:30 a.m., when the polls opened, the board was told two locations did not yet have machines: the Concord Twp. house and the Transfiguration Church in West Milton. Poll workers were told to have those voters use paper provisional ballots until machines were ready to go. After the first 30 minutes, elections board member Richard Adams said problems seemed to be confined to a half dozen polling places out of the county’s 82 precincts. By 11 a.m. most of the problems had been solved. Contact Nancy Bowman at (937) 335-4357.

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Voting in the Valley

By Gina | Monday, November 7, 2005, 05:40 PM

We want to hear about your experiences at the polls. How well did the voting machines work? Was there a line? Were people arguing? Click on the “comments” link to post your experiences. Check back through out the day to see what people have to say about today’s voting process.

If you are still looking for voting tools visit www.DaytonDailyNews.com/election.

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