By River

November 5, 2009 3:10 PM | Link to this

Leitzell has been improving the Walnut Hills area through his community organization and newsletter for years. I lived in the Walnut Hills area for several years and it was amazing to see the progress and strengthening of communication that his organization provided local residents. I have always appreciated Leitzell’s passion for people, for historic preservation, and for recognizing the needs of his community. I just purchased my first home in Kettering, just a few blocks from the Dayton city limits, but now I’m finding myself wishing I had stayed in Dayton. Leitzell is an example for us all, and proof that one person can make a big difference!

By d

November 5, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this

I understand that Leitzell ran as an independent. Has he always been an independent or did he switch to an independent candidacy when he could not garner a republican or democratic nomination/support? It’s interesting that there was no republican candidate in this race. Why is that? I wish Mr. Leitzell the best of lick but remember, he has to work with a city commission that is comprised of McLin supporters. Hopefully they can see past partisan politics.

By Mary

November 5, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this

I think the mayor lost because the east side of town is being totally ignored by the city. I have lived here for 32 years and I can’t remember the last time we’ve had any major improvement projects over here.Hopefully the new mayor will spread what wealth we have over the whole city instead of the few locations who get everything now.

By etackett

November 5, 2009 1:42 AM | Link to this

The Republicans are fools to say that they had anything to do with winning this election. Gary got more help from the democrats in name recognition with all of there trash mailings, than from the Republican party.

By Sue

November 4, 2009 10:50 PM | Link to this

The mayor did not present the image that is needed to convince companies that this is the place to relocate. Her massacre of the English language and her costumes made one think of the Mad Hatter

By ecraig

November 4, 2009 7:38 PM | Link to this

Does anyone still read the Dayton Daily Rag? What a waste of resources.

By ecraig

November 4, 2009 7:38 PM | Link to this

Does anyone still read the Dayton Daily Rag? What a waste of resources.

By Barry

November 4, 2009 7:29 PM | Link to this

what do the union bosses think now that their puppet isn’t going to be mayor?

By Barry

November 4, 2009 7:06 PM | Link to this

there was less then a 50% turnout. only the people who really care about something (parks, libraries, casino’s, and McHat haters) showed up to vote. if the stupid people, the unions, and the apathetic had showed up to vote like they did last year then things would have been different. if the new guy wants to keep his new job he had better be perceived as doing a good job for the city by everyone in it, or he will get trashed in the next election when (if) the undereducated come out to vote

By David

November 4, 2009 5:47 PM | Link to this

You’re all intensely overestimating party affiliations. No one cares about her race or the democratic party. She didn’t do a very good job and had a really bad reputation for showing up in public completely drunk. Not my mayor.

By Washington Township

November 4, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this

McLin lost because she her base stayed home. Look at the turnout maps and the areas where she lost voters. Her base didn’t switch to Leitzell, they just stayed home. Leitzell benefitted by motivated turnout in his strong areas. The Democrats don’t “own” Dayton. They just own the black and union vote. The areas where Leitzell was strong was the GOP part of Dayton.

By Sad

November 4, 2009 5:15 PM | Link to this

It’s sad that Dayton’s supposedly non-partisan city-manager form of government has gotten to the point that DDN feels the need to quote the STATE party chairmen. It’s great that an independent got elected. Let’s hope he can help rid the city of the party hacks and find some people committed to good government.

By Tony

November 4, 2009 4:32 PM | Link to this

What is stunning is that this man, who has no party affiliation, beat a two term Democrat in a town OWNED by the Democratic Party and was outspent by his opponent by 10-1 and still he won. I can only imagine the greatness that could have happened if two viable candidates ran against the incumbent commission members up for reelection. There may be hope for Dayton.

By Ted

November 4, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this

Yeah, it’s because of Obama. Uh huh.

By T

November 4, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this

She lost because Dayton needs a change and that includes new officials in charge of the city. She could have campaigned ALL YEAR LONG and it wouldn’t have mattered.

By Jeff

November 4, 2009 3:06 PM | Link to this

I couldn’t agree more, the Democratic party will pay heavily for President Obama’s inability to listen to the American people. In this democracy people cannot be overlooked for long, they speak with their votes and I think this vote and the next presidential vote will be a rallying cry for the republicans.

By Ted

November 4, 2009 3:06 PM | Link to this

McLin losing is stunning? This only proves how out of touch these people are.