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Belmont land swap deal back on the table

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By Anthony Gottschlich, Staff Writer Updated 2:49 PM Friday, June 19, 2009

DAYTON — A land swap deal holding up a new Belmont High School is back on the table, giving hope to Dayton school officials that construction could start this year.

State Sen. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, said Friday, June 19, that he has asked the Senate to restore a House amendment to the state budget bill that would give Dayton Public Schools 47 acres on the former Twin Valley mental health campus on Wayne Avenue. The school district in exchange would give the state the current Belmont site next door, plus raze some buildings and clean up the properties.

Husted said his request followed a meeting Tuesday with Dayton Superintendent Kurt Stanic, one in which Dayton school board President Jeffrey Mims Jr. was asked to leave before it got started.

Earlier: Husted ousts Mims from meeting

“We had a good discussion about a system of education that cares equally about all students, no matter where they’re educated,” said Husted, a supporter of charter schools and vouchers. “We all have to try to do our best by those youngsters, despite disagreements adults may have from time to time.”

Stanic and Mims welcomed the news. “That’s good, I’m happy,” said Stanic. “We’d like to proceed with the project and this is going to help us do it in a timely fashion.”

Added Mims: “The main thing is it’s being done. We’ll take help from wherever we can get it.”

Seeking help on the Belmont issue, Mims went to Tuesday’s meeting in Columbus with Stanic and a construction official involved in the district-wide new school construction project. But when he arrived, a Husted aide told him he wasn’t welcome.

Mims, a former lobbyist for teacher unions and the school district, said he objected but left embarrassed, hurt and puzzled, wondering why two elected officials couldn’t talk about education issues. Husted said Thursday he wanted to get to know Stanic, not listen to other people’s agendas. But that’s in the past, he said Friday.

“This is about solving problems,” Husted said. “We’ve made progress and we need to keep making it.”

Sponsored by state Rep. Clayton Luckie, D-Dayton, the amendment permitting the land swap was part of the original state budget bill passed by the Democrat-controlled House this spring, but the GOP-controlled Senate removed it last month.

Maggie Ostrowski, spokeswoman for Senate President Bill Harris, said it probably got removed because its potential impact wasn’t clear to Republicans, nor had anyone pushed for it or explained its importance. She said Harris now supports the amendment.

The budget bill is in a House-Senate conference committee, where lawmakers must find a compromise before the end of the fiscal year, June 30.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7408 or agottschlich@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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I still say lets all host a big Texas Boss Hog Style BBQ at Jon's house. Invite everyone, part that place to work, even Mims can come. Ice tea, lemonade, cold beer and roast a pig, (pork always brings them out from Columbus).
Invite the neighbors, family and friends. Get the Sec of state here and don't forget the Board of Elections.
Send invites and maps showing the way from Columbus so the wife and kids can find their way home too.

BBQ BOB
8:57 AM, 6/20/2009

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...black helicopters, arinez?...hmmmmm. (sounds good to say "
hmmmmmm") doesn't it arinez????? IDIOT! ...well...let's make yourself important here....since I have nothing else to do since I've been layed off from GM...at 95% of my pay...(Hey!!! wonder why I've got all this free time???? (Pay $28,000 for a 8,9000.00 car...what a deal!!!!!!!

arinezes....sphincter
1:01 AM, 6/20/2009

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Guess I'll be moving out of Belmont.That's all this neighborhood needs...A bigger school so they can bus more hoodlums into this area.When school lets out in the afternoon,Watervliet is almost impassable because of all the kids and police cars!

DaMang
12:51 AM, 6/20/2009

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hmmm... "The school district in exchange would give the state the current Belmont site next door, plus raze some buildings and clean up the properties". What does the state want the land for? I thing that should be the question at this point. Do they actually want the land? and if so, what will the State do with it?

arniez
12:50 AM, 6/20/2009

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wrc has it right. If Husted lived in the area- instead of trying to show he lives in the area he might know local issues. He is one Republican that I will never support. His looks will only get him so far. He is one arrogant politician.

j
4:58 PM, 6/19/2009

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