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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 > 05 > Entry
Editorial: Voters offer lessons for office-seekers
Kettering City Council candidate Ashley Webb had loads of signs around the city, his supporters gave out leaflets at polling places, and he had backing from Republican Party activists. He was the second-highest vote-getter in his race, defeating an incumbent.
In Trotwood, City Council candidates Mattie Clay and Janice Chinn have been behind on their property taxes for more than a decade. Both lost their races to represent the first and second wards, respectively.
These results — one hopes — are not a coincidence.
There’s a temptation after elections to wonder what really matters because, at times, voters can make seemingly odd choices. Some worry that familiar names and candidates’ money too often carry the day.
Tuesday’s election offered some encouraging signs that voters do pay attention. Numerous local races offered sometimes bad, sometimes difficult, choices that required a discerning eye.
In many cases, voters made quality choices and provided free lessons for future candidates:
Hard work and grassroots support can pay dividends
The two winners in the Kettering City Council race — Amy Schrimpf and Mr. Webb — were easily the hardest-working campaigners.
Both Republicans, they courted key party leaders. Mr. Webb was able to get the party to only endorse him in the race, while Ms. Schrimpf left her job to focus on the campaign. She had the endorsement of her predecessor on council, state Rep. Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering.
Defeated incumbent Frank Spolrich was not as visible.
Similarly, Scott Paulson ran an aggressive campaign that helped him win a seat on the Washington Twp. Board of Trustees. He defeated Lee Snyder, seemingly an entrenched incumbent.
Mr. Paulson walked door-to-door and had a visble yard-sign campaign. He also raised $10,000 more than Mr. Snyder and out spent him 8-1.
In Beavercreek, two hard-charging challengers won seats on the school board, knocking out incumbent Joyce Carter.
Robert Dotson, an active community volunteer, and Kim Grant, a Parent-Teacher Association president, courted voters hard. In fact, Mr. Dotson got into some hot water when a non-profit athletic booster club appeared to endorse him in an e-mail after his visit. His opponents asked whether the group had jeopardized its tax-exempt status by appearing to be involved in politics.
Pay your taxes, keep your distance from strip clubs
Trotwood voters showed good sense by taking a pass on Ms. Clay and Ms. Chinn, who complained that the city needed to do a better job providing basic services. Voters apparently understood what the candidates didn’t — that the quality of city services is dependent on people paying their share of property taxes.
The same sensibility was on display elsewhere.
West Carrollton’s lowest city council vote-getter was Edward Jones, who last year was convicted of receiving stolen property. Kettering council candidate Mark Allison, who has been charged with drunken driving three times since 1995, also was the lowest vote-getter in his race.
In Harrison Twp., voters noticed Julie Caserta’s and Georgeann Godsey’s disturbing associations. In a community where adult-oriented businesses have been a long-running concern, both candidates had ties to the adult entertainment industry.
Ms. Caserta’s husband co-owns Naughty ‘N Nice on Dixie Drive, and her husband’s business partner is related to the owners of The Living Room strip club. Ms. Godsey works for the management company that owns the shopping center where The Living Room and Naughty ‘N Nice are located.
Both finished far behind winning candidates Darrell Lairson and David Woods. Future candidates can learn from the 2009 results.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Editorials, Elections, Scott Elliott, Suburban Communities
Comments
By David
November 5, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this
If it, politics, running for office, courting voters, breaking through the culter of noise, fending off attacks were only so simple. But it makes for a nice story.