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Trotwood citizens seek recall of Mayor

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By Doug Page, Staff Writer Updated 10:03 PM Tuesday, June 16, 2009

TROTWOOD — A citizens group is circulating petitions to recall Mayor Darreyl Davis, claiming he has failed to revitalize the city in his 18 months in office.

The petition alleges Davis “has placed at risk the stability of the mayoral profession, well-being of Trotwood citizens and the integrity of his standing with citizens of Trotwood and Montgomery County.”

“The issue is the lack of confidence and trust in the mayor,” Brendalee Rosemen, chairwoman of Trotwood Progressive Citizens, said Tuesday, June 15. “It is his arrogance and disrespect.”

At Monday’s council meeting, Rosemen said Davis has failed to fulfill his promises “to rebuild the Salem Mall and bring more business to make our area more progressive. Right now we are digressing and falling apart.”

Davis has said a small number of residents are unhappy with his actions, but he believes he acts on what is best for the entire city and will continue to do so.

“I’ve been mayor for 18 months, and it’s a tough time,” Davis said.

During those 18 months, General Motors and Delphi closed local plants, and NCR announced it was leaving the Miami Valley. Foreclosure and unemployment rates soared as the city, county, state and nation entered a deep recession.

Rap Hankins, 2nd Ward council member, said people are upset and angry in these tough times.

“Darreyl is being criticized for not having a magic wand. And in these economic difficult times, there is no magic wand,” he said.

On Tuesday, Rosemen cited the proposed move of the Dayton Greyhound terminal to Trotwood as an example of the mayor and city manager ignoring the will of the people, and making poor development decisions.

City officials have said they can’t legally stop Greyhound from moving to the RTA hub at the former Salem Mall site. The area is zoned for such a business, and RTA’s use of its building — as long as it is permissible under the area’s zoning — is a private business decision.

Rosemen said her group of 40 to 50 people believe the city manager and the mayor actively support the move. “We don’t want that business (Greyhound) here,” she said.

Should supporters gather enough signatures on a valid petition, it would be the city’s first recall, said Lois Singleton, the city clerk of council.

Petitioners will need 25 percent of the total number of voters casting ballots in the 2007 elections of at-large council candidates, or slightly more than 1,700. Rosemen said Monday her group had more than 400 signatures.

Under the city charter, the mayor is ceremonial head of the city. While the mayor is a voting member of the council, he has no additional legislative or administrative powers. He has no veto power. The city manager is appointed by the council, not the mayor.

Should Davis be recalled, the council would have 60 days to pick a successor. If unable, then the city would be forced to hold a special election.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2290 or dpage@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Toni Coleman contributed to this report.

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