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Mayoral candidates McLin, Leitzell disagree on budget

Candidates share differing ideas on how to spur city’s economic growth.

Chris Stewart/Dayton Daily News Staff Photogra Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin meets with the Dayton Daily News editorial board on Monday, Sept. 21.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Independent candidate for Dayton mayor, Gary Leitzell, meets with the Dayton Daily News editorial board on Monday, Sept. 21.

Chris Stewart/Dayton Daily News Staff Photogra Independent candidate for Dayton mayor, Gary Leitzell, meets with the Dayton Daily News editorial board on Monday, Sept. 21.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Joanne Huist Smith, Staff Writer Updated 2:58 PM Sunday, September 27, 2009

DAYTON — Two candidates for Dayton mayor disagree on how the city should balance its budget, reorganize staff and generate revenue.

Democratic incumbent Rhine McLin and independent Gary Leitzell pitched their views to the Dayton Daily News editorial board Monday, Sept. 21.

McLin said she brings experience after eight years of constant belt-tightening. She believes seeds for Dayton’s economic recovery have been sown during her tenure.

Leitzell, president of the Walnut Hills Association and Southeast Priority Board chairman making his first bid for mayor, said he brings creative ideas to reconnect citizens to City Hall and put Dayton back in the global market.

Leitzell believes half of the projected $20 million deficit Dayton faces in 2010 could be eliminated with new revenue, not budget cuts.

He suggests selling city properties that are not vital to operations and organizing events in Dayton that attract patrons from surrounding states.

“We need to help small businesses. We need to market this city to the world,” Leitzell said.

McLin said the city is looking at what it does well and expanding in those areas to boost revenue. Collecting trash in Jefferson Twp. and Riverside is a way Dayton has capitalized on something it does well, the mayor said.

She envisions Dayton as a boutique community with unique neighborhoods and businesses. “I think of a boutique community as one that is creative, innovative, a destination,” she said.

Under her leadership, the city also will look at ways to take advantage of its greatest asset, water.

Leitzell said a potential spike in homicides in 2009 over last year needs to be addressed.

“I don’t trust our administration anymore with the money we give them. For years, the priority has been to enforce the safety code of the city. I think they are doing a lousy job,” he said.

City housing codes also are not being enforced, Leitzell said. He suggested seven years ago a program to provide building permit fee rebates as incentives to people who buy and rehab abandoned homes. No action has been taken.

McLin countered that the City Commission earmarked $1 million to bring down 300 vacant structures in 2008. Over the next 18 months, 1,000 more will be demolished. “Strong urban neighborhoods are a priority,” McLin said.

Leitzell questioned the need for two assistant city managers. He also would combine 25 city departments into 17.

McLin doesn’t believe her opponent understands the complexity of city government. The Office of Management and Budget forecasts the budget. Finance collects bills. The recession has forced the city to reorganize, which is a continuing process, she said.

Merging the city with Montgomery County is a discussion that has been going on for years, Leitzell said. It’s time for action. McLin said a merger must be proven to be in the best interest of the city and the county for it to work.

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