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Unions meeting to decide who to back for Dayton mayor

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By Joanne Huist Smith, Staff Writer Updated 3:33 PM Thursday, September 3, 2009

DAYTON — Labor throws its voice into the debate about who should be the next Dayton mayor, beginning Monday, Aug. 24.

Some 200 delegates who represent community service organizations and unions affiliated with the Dayton Miami Valley AFL-CIO Regional Labor Council will vote on whether to endorse the candidacy of Democratic incumbent Mayor Rhine McLin or her challenger, Gary Leitzell, an independent backed by the Montgomery County Republican Party.

The AFL-CIO, with some 40,000 members in the region, is the lobbying and legislative arm for affiliate unions, including the 3,000-member, Dayton AFSCME Local 101, the largest city of Dayton employee union. AFSCME represents state, county and municipal employees.

Leitzell, a neighborhood activist, said he entered the mayor’s race out of frustration over a disconnect he saw between City Hall and the community.

“I’m not a politician. I’m not somebody with an agenda. I’m just somebody tired of being sick and tired.” Leitzell said.

McLin seeks a record third term in office.

“I really feel this city is worth saving,” she said. “Right now we’re shedding old skin. It’s been pretty painful, but I do believe we’ve assembled the right team to move Dayton forward.”

When McLin took office in 2002, city finances were reeling from an economic downturn that forced City Hall to cut 500 jobs. The city’s largest labor union, which bore the brunt of many cuts, nonetheless endorsed McLin for re-election in 2005. AFSCME members are expected to vote to endorse Dayton candidates in September.

The question now, with city employees facing a one-year wage freeze and four furlough days without pay, will labor again back McLin or endorse new city leadership?

“This is like any other race taking place in tough times. Everybody’s concerned about the economy when jobs are being cut,” said Tom Ritchie Sr., director of field services and organizing, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Ohio Council 8, AFL-CIO.

Endorsement of two candidates for Dayton City Commission also will be decided by the AFL-CIO delegates Monday. Running in the three-way race are incumbents Nan Whaley and Joey Williams and challenger David Esrati.

Esrati, a local businessman, has made previous runs for Dayton mayor, city commission and the 3rd Congressional District seat. He has been blogging about city and state issues on the Internet since 2005.

Williams started his public service career with two terms on the Dayton Public Schools’ Board of Education. Now, he is seeking a third term on the commission.

Whaley, 33, the youngest woman elected to the commission, is seeking a second term. She is spearheading the city’s landbanking and land re-use initiatives.

Voting begins at 6 p.m. in the Dayton Miami ValleyAFL-CIO office at 4127 E. Second Street. Delegates also will consider endorsements of judge candidates, school levies and the Five Rivers MetroParks levy, Ritchie said.

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