“I consider myself to be somewhat educated, and I read the thing in its entirety,” Leitzell said. “I then realized it told me absolutely nothing about the important issue that you expect me and thousands of others to vote on, on May 6.”
Leitzell, who opposes making the city’s final 0.5 percent income tax permanent, said many residents are unaware that Dayton is seeking a “forever tax,” and voters may later feel “buyer’s remorse” if they cast a ballot in favor of the levy without understanding its impact.
Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley said city commissioners have been upfront with residents about the tax measure and worked hard to educate community about the proposal, and the mailing was no different than countless others that are sent out each election season.
Voters have overwhelmingly approved the tax numerous times since it first passed in 1984, and supporters have stressed the tax is not an increase over what is being paid now.
Leitzell commended the city for disseminating information about Issue 6 on the city’s website and via a WHIO Reports show and in an article in a local newspaper. But he said many people did not watch the show or read the paper.
Leitzell said he has knocked on thousands of doors to get the signatures needed to run as an independent candidate for a seat on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.
He said he has learned many residents do not know that Issue 6 will make the final 0.5 percent piece of the city’s 2.25 percent income tax permanent.
Leitzell said city officials should have ensured that the flier contained an address for a website with information about the levy so residents could get the facts about the measure. Leitzell said he supports renewing the 0.5 percent income tax, but he does not want to it to become permanent.
“I just think people should be able to hold the city accountable, and (a renewal) is one way to do it,” he said.
Earlier this month, David Esrati, who unsuccessfully ran for seat on the city commission last year, also criticized the flier on his blog, Esrati.com, saying it was not honest nor informative.
“My father, a senior, who is relatively astute, said that he read it — and has no clue what Issue 6 is,” Esrati wrote.
Whaley said the city permanently needs the $22 million the 0.5 percent income tax generates, and city officials have provided all the relevant information about Issue 6 numerous times to the public.
“We’ve been really honest about what this is,” she said. “That one piece (of information) somewhere didn’t mention exactly what (Leitzell) wants said is a pretty pathetic” criticism.
Leitzell was not the only former Dayton mayor to speak at Wednesday’s meeting about the income tax proposal. Former Mayor Clay Dixon told city commissioners he supported the measure because it is important to the city’s financial stability.
Dixon, with the Miami Valley Organizing Collaborative, also thanked commissioners for supporting an informal resolution calling for an increase in the federal minimum wage.
Increasing the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour would benefit nearly 1 million Ohio workers, said Heather Atkinson, a representative with International Union of Electronic Workers-Communication Workers of America.
About the Author