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Election 2009

Mayor-elect advised to reach out

Community, business leaders say Dayton is ready to work with Gary Leitzell

Dayton Mayor-elect Leitzell (right) and friend Hal McKinney walked around town Wednesday doing some tasks and stopped at Leitzell's campaign headquarters.

Jim Noelker/Dayton's new mayor Dayton Mayor-elect Leitzell (right) and friend Hal McKinney walked around town Wednesday doing some tasks and stopped at Leitzell's campaign headquarters. "I don't owe anybody anything except the citizens of Dayton," Leitzell said about his election.

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Photos: Dayton Mayoral Debate held

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By Joanne Huist Smith  and Jim DeBrosse, Staff Writers Updated 10:17 AM Monday, November 9, 2009

Grow downtown.

Focus on neighborhoods.

Think regionally.

Unite the community.

Don’t get overwhelmed.

We asked Dayton area business and community leaders to offer their advice to Mayor-elect Gary Leitzell, who is entering major elective office for the first time. Here’s what they told us.

Sheldon Mitchell, chief executive, Dayton Urban League

“I think it’s important to create and nurture an atmosphere where small businesses can grow.

“Organizations like the Urban League and East End Community Services are working in the community already. He needs to look for strategic opportunities for partnerships.

Having been in Dayton himself just a year, “I have found people in the community are open to new people coming in and providing leadership to move the city forward. If he works to be inclusive, people will be open to hear his ideas.”

Mike Ervin, philanthropist and downtown activist

Ervin chose to direct his comments to Dayton area citizens.

“As a community, whether it’s the business community or residence, he’s our new mayor, and we should all get behind him and work to make him and the entire community successful.

“He’s been part of the community conversation and we need to continue that conversation and support each other.”

Dan Curran, president, University of Dayton

“When Gary Leitzell gave his acceptance speech, he praised Rhine McLin for serving with heart, passion and courage. Those are words to follow. I believe the future of Dayton relies on leaders who are entrepreneurial, bold — and can work collaboratively for the common good for our entire region. We are all partners in the Dayton region’s future.”

Channon Lemon, director, Minority Economic Development Council

“Focus on recruiting minority businesses as part of the solution in developing the economy of the Dayton region.

“Make sure the businesses in the city and throughout the region work together to attract new business and increase the profitability of our existing organizations.”

Bob Premus, professor of economics, Wright State University

“Take a regional point of view of cities and work collaboratively with the region’s leaders.”

Mark Kingseed, Centerville mayor

“It’s very important for elected officials to remember why they were elected, especially when they’ve been elected to make change happen. It’s very easy to get into a situation where making something different happen can be overwhelming.”

Bryan Fite, Internet security consultant and organizer of the annual hackers convention in Dayton

“Reach out to people who normally you don’t talk to or hear about. There should be a forum for people like myself, other than commission meetings, and for new businesses. What about an ombudsman or a community suggestion box?

“Maybe he can use some of that tech savvy he showed in his campaign to create a bridge to reach people who aren’t necessarily inside the machine.”

Kathy Hollingsworth, president, Innovative Interchange Associates

“Change gives people the challenge and the opportunity of learning how to work differently with each other. To the extent that they can create a culture of learning and dialogue, as opposed to a culture of habit, the greater the chances they have of creating something new as they move forward.”

Sean Creighton, executive director, Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education

“Leverage the power of higher education and the talent that is coming out of our region. The 10 institutions here have a greater economic impact than Ohio State has on Columbus.”

Paul Leonard, Wright State University instructor and former Dayton mayor

“When I got elected (in 1981), I didn’t know where to begin because I was the first mayor to serve in the job without having City Commission experience. I thought there was value in tapping into the experience of people in city government before me.”

Leonard said he attended a two-week intensive training course for new mayors at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and held a series of informal seminars with local business and community leaders “on some of the challenges facing Dayton.”

He met frequently with previous mayor James McGee and his chief assistant Joe Wine and brought with him a four-person transition team of volunteers to help him through his first month in office.

“I had a lot of good people willing to help, and I think he will, too. He has to be willing to ask.”

Robert Walker, executive director, Wesley Community Center

“For the sake of our community we must create a bridge so we can continue working on sensitive issues and come up with constructive solutions. As leaders, we must create a spirit of collaboration in spite of our differences. I’m pushing for more of a moral response than a political response.

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rhett and sassy are lesbos!
6:13 AM, 11/10/2009

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Rhett,

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Sassy
9:49 PM, 11/9/2009

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rhett
9:38 PM, 11/9/2009

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rhett
9:32 PM, 11/9/2009

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Rhett
9:29 PM, 11/9/2009

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