What are the key races and issues on the ballot?

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By Staff Reports 11:32 PM Monday, November 2, 2009

By the end of tonight, voters will decide if Ohioans want casinos, who will be Dayton’s mayor and if several local library systems pass levies to offset state budget cuts.

More than 60 tax issues and more than 800 candidates are on ballots across the Dayton area.

To find out more about city council, township trustee and levies in your area, go to DaytonDailyNews.com/go/votersguide.

Here’s a look at the key issues and races:

State issues

The issue that has dominated the airwaves this election season is a plan to legalize casino gambling in Ohio.

Issue 3 would authorize casinos in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo.

A poll released last week by the state’s eight biggest newspapers — including the Dayton Daily News — found that 57 percent of registered voters support Issue 3. Thirty-nine percent oppose the plan and four percent were undecided.

• State Issue 2 would create a 13-member state livestock care standards board to establish standards for the care and well being of livestock.

Supporters of Issue 2 say it is a proactive chance for Ohioans to set up comprehensive oversight of livestock care instead of letting out-of-state interests set the agenda.

Opponents say Issue 2 is a power-grab by agribusiness interests that doesn’t belong in the Constitution to start with.

• Approval of State Issue 1 would allow the state to issue up to $200 million in bonds to give extra compensation to veterans of the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Dayton mayor  and commission

Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin will start today with a 6 a.m. volunteer rally at the Frank Ware Sr. Memorial Banquet Center, 505 Bolander Ave.

She plans to spend the day traveling to voting locations throughout the city passing out literature.

“We’ll be out there all day. We’re not taking anything for granted. We’ll work right up to the last minute,” McLin said.

She will join City Commissioners Joey Williams and Nan Whaley, who are up for re-election, later tonight at Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters, 131 S. Wilkinson St., to watch results come in.

Her challenger, neighborhood activist Gary Leitzell plans to arrive at the Church of the Rock, 321 Edgar Ave., around 8 a.m., where he will vote.

Leitzell will watch election returns, along with City Commission challenger David Esrati and their campaign volunteers at the Doubletree Hotel across the street from City Hall.

Library levies

If voters allow the current 1.25-mill Dayton Metro Library levy to expire at the end of the year and do not approve a 1.75-mill continuing replacement levy, revenues will drop by 35 percent, Director Tim Kambitsch said. That could mean cutting staff and reducing library hours.

The Franklin-Springboro Public Library is asking voters to approve a 1-mill five-year levy that will generate a little more than $1.3 million each year.

In Oakwood, voters will decide on a 0.5-mill five-year levy for the Wright Memorial Public Library.

Library issues are also on the ballot in Greene County, Waynesville, Tipp City and for the Troy-Miami County Library.

School levies

Voters in Xenia will decide if their schools should participate in a state facilities program that will help fund the construction of new schools.

Xenia Superintendent Jeffrey Lewis says he’s hopeful voters will approve the request to raise the local share of a $56 million building plan despite two past losses.

• In Beavercreek, voters face a 1-mill levy renewal for permanent improvements such as maintenance, computers and technology and school buses.

• Trotwood Schools are trying to pass a 7.5 mill additional levy.

• In Eaton, voters face a bond issue and additional levy to build an elementary and middle school.

• Sidney Schools has a 9.9 mill emergency operating levy on the ballot.

• Jefferson Twp. and Piqua schools also have renewal levies on the ballot.

Five Rivers MetroParks levy

Montgomery County voters are being asked to support a 10-year replacement levy of 1.8 mills that should generate a about $17.9 million annually for Five Rivers MetroParks.

Greene County issues

The Greene County Council on Aging is requesting a 1-mill levy that will raise $3.7 million annually, or $1 million more than the levy set to expire collects.

Members of the Mental Health and Recovery Board say millions in state budget cuts are even more reason to support today’s levy renewal request.

The 1.5-mill levy will raise $4 million annually.

Other races

• In Xenia’s mayoral election, Marsha Bayless, a retired long-time school principal and community activist, is running against Councilman Dale Louderback, a lifelong resident and Realtor.

• Sugarcreek Twp. voters will decide whether to give their township limited home rule.

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