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Many surprised by Leitzell victory over McLin

Staff photo by Ron Alvey “I was really surprised when I woke up and heard the news today,” said Lisa Allison, a Dayton resident.

Betty Ross, a Dayton resident, said “She was a good mayor around the city. She did good things. She helped clear up a lot of the drug areas in the Five Oaks area where I live. She was everywhere.”

Staff photo by Ron Alvey Betty Ross, a Dayton resident, said “She was a good mayor around the city. She did good things. She helped clear up a lot of the drug areas in the Five Oaks area where I live. She was everywhere.”

Staff photo by Ron Alvey Jack Matthews, of Kettering: “we were shocked,” he said. “I thought the incumbent had a lock on the job like her father.”

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Emma Matthews, of Kettering said she was surprised at McLin’s loss because “she had been in so long, you kind of expected her to win.” Her advice to the Mayor-elect Leitzell: “Get in there and hustle. We need some hustlers. I’d like to see him do some hustling and get the city going.”

Ron Alvey Emma Matthews, of Kettering said she was surprised at McLin’s loss because “she had been in so long, you kind of expected her to win.” Her advice to the Mayor-elect Leitzell: “Get in there and hustle. We need some hustlers. I’d like to see him do some hustling and get the city going.”

By Katherine Ullmer , Staff Writer Updated 1:24 PM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

DAYTON — “She lost? That’s a surprise,” said Martin J. Kelly, of Dayton, who, like many who may have gone to bed Tuesday night before election results were in, were surprised today to hear that Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin lost to independent candidate Gary Leitzell.

In final, unofficial results, Leitzell beat McLin, the incumbent, 14,923 to 14,045, or 51.5 percent to 48.5 percent.

Kelly and others talked Wednesday, Nov. 4, about the election upset at The Brunch Place, 601 S. Main St., Dayton.

Kelly said about Leitzell: “I’m a little bit in the dark about what he wants to do despite what he says.”

He said he thought McLin’s loss was “probably a reflection of ineptness of the city commission, and she’s a part of that in running the city. They don’t seem to have any original ideas or just what to do.”

Kelly said he worked for the city of Dayton in the water department as a clerk-dispatcher, but retired in 1989.

His hope for the city: “I’d like to see them attract business here, which they could maybe do through tax incentives. I don’t think they (the city) had any leadership from the city commission we’ve had.”

“Is the mayor here?” jokingly asked Jack Matthews, of Kettering, as he entered the restaurant with his wife Emma. “We got a new one,” he said, knowingly.

Still, “we were shocked,” he said. “I thought the incumbent had a lock on the job like her father.”

He attributed the loss to the fact that “she probably was not distinguished with having done anything yet,” he said. “The city needs all of the help it can get. I’ve lived in Dayton all of my life and it upsets me that Forbes and all the magazines call it a dying community.”

Matthews, now retired, said he used to own an advertising agency in Dayton for 30 years — Matthews Advertising and Marketing.

“Dayton is the cradle of creativity,” he said, though he admitted, “it’s fallen on hard times” from when it had thriving retail business.

Emma Matthews said she was surprised at McLin’s loss because “she had been in so long, you kind of expected her to win.”

Her advice to the Mayor-elect Leitzell: “Get in there and hustle. We need some hustlers. I’d like to see him do some hustling and get the city going.”

She added, “We’re hopeful for this guy. He sounds like he could do the job.”

The problem was, as Kettering residents, “We don’t get to vote on the (Dayton) mayor.”

“I was very shocked,” said Betty Ross of Dayton, a cook in the restaurant. “She was a good mayor around the city. She did good things. She helped clear up a lot of the drug areas in the Five Oaks area where I live. She was everywhere.”

“She would come in here to eat. She seemed to have a lot of support,” said Lisa Allison of Butler Twp., taking breakfast orders from the customers.

“I was really surprised when I woke up and heard the news today.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2341 or kullmer@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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Gary's comment "I'm in charge now" speaks volume. We had better start praying now for what may happen under 'his charge'!

Brenda
10:37 PM, 11/5/2009

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Maybe Rhine did not do everything right but I believe she did the best she could. Instead of everyone talking about her hats and glasses, why not give her kudos for what she did do for the city. God doesn't close one door without opening another one which oftentimes is better. I know you will do great and wonderful things on your next venture.

BSB
10:33 PM, 11/5/2009

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Rhine(I never met a photo op I didn't like)McLin lost and then run and hid after the election. Yep, that's sure a mayor to be proud of. I'm not a Dayton resident, but I'm glad she lost. Maybe Dayton can get back on its' feet again. Good luck Mayor Leitzell

Michael
7:01 AM, 11/5/2009

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Many? Many what? Journalists? MANY...like the entire city....were NOT.

soho
9:03 PM, 11/4/2009

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Good luck to Leitzell. Hopefully he can turn the city around and bring back business to Dayton like Mike Turner was able to do. When McLin took over as Mayor, the city lost all respect from outsiders and business leaders. Nobody wanted to bring a business or expand in Dayton with Mcnutjob Mclin sitting on the citys throne. Leitzell is at least a much more professional type guy who will bring back a respectful image to the city.

Michael
7:26 PM, 11/4/2009

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