By Bruce Kettelle
For ten years I have been screaming why do we have 17 school districts in Montgomery County Ohio? It is not because I think we need more districts, it is because I think 17 is way too many. In fact I am begging for someone, anyone, in Columbus to listen to my plea for just one district to cover the entire county.
And not just for Montgomery. Ohio has 614 school districts. If they are combined we could have just 88, one for each county in the state.
There are good reasons to take a closer look at this proposal including cost savings and better education opportunities for everyone.
Cost savings will come from transportation and administrative budgets. No longer will there be 17 accounts payable departments, 17 payroll departments, or 17 superintendents. Bus transportation decisions will be able to include routes that cross the old boundary lines and provide streamlining that will reduce busses, drivers, and maintenance costs.
Schools will be able to work together to provide more advanced programs and new subjects that were not warranted by the smaller demand of the lesser districts.
We're not talking about closing schools or even changing exiting attendance zones. As one big district there will still be all the same elementary, middle and high schools with their own identities and sports rivalries.
Ohio is late to the game on district consolidations. Since 1950 there were 83,641 school districts in the US, regions and states have been trending towards fewer and larger districts. By 1980 there were just 15, 986.
Countywide school districts are already in place in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Other states have combined districts in different ways. And recent studies show that average achievement scores are higher in larger districts.
Under a countywide system there would be one countywide millage rate for property taxes. The one rate system would be less confusing for homeowners shopping for a house and help provide a more level playing field for economic development specialists trying to attract new business. The distribution of those revenues would also help districts respond to the state Supreme Court ruling concerning the current unconstitutional funding formula.
Another benefit statewide is to provide a first introduction of the effectiveness of regional government to Ohioans grappling with combining other services. In Montgomery we are trying a countywide emergency dispatch system and leaders are dialoguing about other combined services.
Countywide school districts will work for Ohio. Will you be an advocate for them?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Letter Gives A Few Clues In Mayor Inquiry
By Bruce Kettelle
The anonymous letter that sparked a state investigation of Trotwood Mayor Darreyl Davis was released to Totally Trotwood last week. The April 13, 2009 letter was obtained from the State Inspector General’s office after an eight-month investigation.
Clues to the identity of the mystery writer remain sketchy. In the letter the writer claims to be retired from General Motors. They also mention they met with the Mayor “several times this week to discuss what he plans on doing for Trotwood.”
The letter questions why the Mayor’s meetings were during the business day when he is supposed to be working full time for the Ohio Department of Transportation. Davis was a salaried supervisor at ODOT during that time.
The letter is addressed to Rex Dickey the ODOT District 7 Deputy Director where Davis was employed. Davis retired from his ODOT post in September.
The investigation conducted by the Ohio Inspector General uncovered personal phone calls and emails conducted on state time. Those results were forwarded to ODOT and prosecutors for review.
Totally Trotwood visited the Trotwood city offices last week to review city records related to the investigation. The inspector general’s office subpoenaed 100’s of pages of emails, memos, and expense records from the city. Copies of those records revealed five people’s names requesting meetings with the Mayor around the time of the letter. None of them met with the mayor “several times.”
In a phone interview this week Davis said he is not searching for the letter writer but the contents of the letter did not give him any new clues. “I haven’t done anything improper,” said Davis. He has retained legal counsel to help defend him.
The investigation also uncovered a finders fee paid to a friend of Davis by a Trotwood contractor. Davis maintains he did not find out about the fee until after the city council voted on the contract.
For now the identity of the letter writer remains a mystery.
Click here to see the complete anonymous letter.
The anonymous letter that sparked a state investigation of Trotwood Mayor Darreyl Davis was released to Totally Trotwood last week. The April 13, 2009 letter was obtained from the State Inspector General’s office after an eight-month investigation.
Clues to the identity of the mystery writer remain sketchy. In the letter the writer claims to be retired from General Motors. They also mention they met with the Mayor “several times this week to discuss what he plans on doing for Trotwood.”
The letter questions why the Mayor’s meetings were during the business day when he is supposed to be working full time for the Ohio Department of Transportation. Davis was a salaried supervisor at ODOT during that time.
The letter is addressed to Rex Dickey the ODOT District 7 Deputy Director where Davis was employed. Davis retired from his ODOT post in September.
The investigation conducted by the Ohio Inspector General uncovered personal phone calls and emails conducted on state time. Those results were forwarded to ODOT and prosecutors for review.
Totally Trotwood visited the Trotwood city offices last week to review city records related to the investigation. The inspector general’s office subpoenaed 100’s of pages of emails, memos, and expense records from the city. Copies of those records revealed five people’s names requesting meetings with the Mayor around the time of the letter. None of them met with the mayor “several times.”
In a phone interview this week Davis said he is not searching for the letter writer but the contents of the letter did not give him any new clues. “I haven’t done anything improper,” said Davis. He has retained legal counsel to help defend him.
The investigation also uncovered a finders fee paid to a friend of Davis by a Trotwood contractor. Davis maintains he did not find out about the fee until after the city council voted on the contract.
For now the identity of the letter writer remains a mystery.
Click here to see the complete anonymous letter.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Trotwood's Hankins Continues With First Suburbs Consortium
The First Suburbs Consortium of Dayton has announced its leadership team for 2010. The Consortium elected Riverside Deputy Mayor Bill Flaute as Chair, Oakwood Vice Mayor Steve Byington as Vice-Chair, Huber Heights Councilmember Judy Blankenship as Secretary, Kettering Councilmember Bruce Duke as Treasurer and Trotwood Councilmember Rap Hankins as the At Large Member of the Executive Committee.
Last year Hankins served as Vice-Chair.
“We have a great leadership team and I look forward to working together to build upon the progress of the past year” said Flaute. “In 2010 we will continue to focus our efforts on initiatives and projects which add value for our member communities. We will also reach out to other groups and organizations with similar interests through our Associate Membership program.”
The First Suburbs Consortium of Dayton is a Council of Governments formed in 2005 to focus on the challenges and opportunities common to older inner ring suburbs surrounding Dayton. The Consortium presently has thirteen member communities which comprise approximately 50% of the population of Montgomery County. They are: Centerville, Clayton, Harrison Township, Huber Heights, Jefferson Township, Kettering, Miamisburg, Moraine, Oakwood, Riverside, Trotwood, Vandalia and West Carrollton.
In Ohio, the Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus areas have similar First Suburb organizations. For information contact: firstsuburbs@ameritech.net or phone 937-866-1584
Last year Hankins served as Vice-Chair.
“We have a great leadership team and I look forward to working together to build upon the progress of the past year” said Flaute. “In 2010 we will continue to focus our efforts on initiatives and projects which add value for our member communities. We will also reach out to other groups and organizations with similar interests through our Associate Membership program.”
The First Suburbs Consortium of Dayton is a Council of Governments formed in 2005 to focus on the challenges and opportunities common to older inner ring suburbs surrounding Dayton. The Consortium presently has thirteen member communities which comprise approximately 50% of the population of Montgomery County. They are: Centerville, Clayton, Harrison Township, Huber Heights, Jefferson Township, Kettering, Miamisburg, Moraine, Oakwood, Riverside, Trotwood, Vandalia and West Carrollton.
In Ohio, the Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus areas have similar First Suburb organizations. For information contact: firstsuburbs@ameritech.net or phone 937-866-1584
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Council Votes To Investigate Mayor
By Bruce Kettelle
At an emergency city council meeting Wednesday night Trotwood officials approved plans to further investigate the mayor’s role in the 2008 Stonehenge contract. The action is in response to the Ohio Inspector General’s investigation released Tuesday accusing the Mayor Darreyl Davis of improprieties.
At issue is his prior knowledge or involvement surrounding a $5,000 finders fee paid by Stonehenge to former city employee Sheila Edwards. Edwards introduced Stonehenge to Davis and the city. The city later entered into the contract to provide design services for a re-use plan for the former Salem Mall site.
The Mayor and council voted unanimously to accept the recommendations of city law director Stephen McHugh. The recommendations included suspending negotiations with Stonehenge for a phase II contract, a full investigation of the city’s original contract with Stonehenge, and an investigation of the Mayor’s involvement with that contract award.
McHugh cautioned that besides the city investigation the report is also being further reviewed by other agencies including: Ohio Ethics Commission, Ohio Department of Transportation (where Davis was employed), Ohio Department of Health (where Edwards was employed), City of Columbus prosecutors, Montgomery County prosecutors, and Franklin County prosecutors. Those investigations could raise additional facts or recommendations the city may want to consider.
In addition to the issues surrounding the contract Davis is likely to be reviewed by ODOT for personal calls and emails made during work hours.
Davis maintains that he has done nothing improper. He explained that he only became aware of the finders fee after the contract was awarded.
Trotwood law director Stephen McHugh and Mayor Darreyl Davis confer briefly with other council member before the start of an emergency meeting to discuss allegations against the mayor.
The release of the investigator’s report came as a surprise to vice-mayor Joyce Cameron. “I did not know about the investigation until yesterday, I was totally blindsided,” she said after the meeting. “I feel no one knows at this point how this will turn out.”
Cameron and others at the meeting said they do not know the identity anonymous tipster who caused the investigation.
Davis, like many Mayors, has detractors in the community. He was recently the target of a failed recall effort for not opposing the recently opened Greyhound Bus Lines terminal in the city. He also was criticized for his involvement in the money losing city jazz festival held several years ago.
At an emergency city council meeting Wednesday night Trotwood officials approved plans to further investigate the mayor’s role in the 2008 Stonehenge contract. The action is in response to the Ohio Inspector General’s investigation released Tuesday accusing the Mayor Darreyl Davis of improprieties.
At issue is his prior knowledge or involvement surrounding a $5,000 finders fee paid by Stonehenge to former city employee Sheila Edwards. Edwards introduced Stonehenge to Davis and the city. The city later entered into the contract to provide design services for a re-use plan for the former Salem Mall site.
The Mayor and council voted unanimously to accept the recommendations of city law director Stephen McHugh. The recommendations included suspending negotiations with Stonehenge for a phase II contract, a full investigation of the city’s original contract with Stonehenge, and an investigation of the Mayor’s involvement with that contract award.
McHugh cautioned that besides the city investigation the report is also being further reviewed by other agencies including: Ohio Ethics Commission, Ohio Department of Transportation (where Davis was employed), Ohio Department of Health (where Edwards was employed), City of Columbus prosecutors, Montgomery County prosecutors, and Franklin County prosecutors. Those investigations could raise additional facts or recommendations the city may want to consider.
In addition to the issues surrounding the contract Davis is likely to be reviewed by ODOT for personal calls and emails made during work hours.
Davis maintains that he has done nothing improper. He explained that he only became aware of the finders fee after the contract was awarded.
Trotwood law director Stephen McHugh and Mayor Darreyl Davis confer briefly with other council member before the start of an emergency meeting to discuss allegations against the mayor.
Cameron and others at the meeting said they do not know the identity anonymous tipster who caused the investigation.
Davis, like many Mayors, has detractors in the community. He was recently the target of a failed recall effort for not opposing the recently opened Greyhound Bus Lines terminal in the city. He also was criticized for his involvement in the money losing city jazz festival held several years ago.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
A New Year And A New Store Opens
By Bruce Kettelle
Trotwood started the New Year with the grand opening of a new O’Reilly Auto Parts store. The 5,900-sq/ft store marks the 7th Dayton area store for the chain as part of a massive expansion within Ohio over the past two years.
“The company has been around for 52 years,” said District manager Jim Miller before the ceremonial ribbon cutting. “I think this store will do real well and our customers already seem to like it.”
The newly built store is nestled on Salem Ave. between three competitors on the same block.
“We have already had customers stop in that were comparing prices from O’Reilly”, said Dave Bohardt manager of nearby Main Auto Parts. He thinks the new competition will be good for business.
Trotwood Chamber members and city officials helped out at the grand opening of the O'Reillys Auto Parts on Salem Av on Januaery 6. (l-r) Sandy Reige, Sandy Marty, Karen Garner, Mathew Wynn (manager), Marie Battle, Gary Fischer, Carl Daugherty, Eric Perkins (asst manager), Jim Mills (district manager), Loren Gross and Shari Hooper (seated).
“There are some things we keep in stock that others don’t,” said Miller. Each of the competitors has their own niche.
Most of the other 36 Ohio O’Reilly stores opened last year were also built near competitors. Now with 66 stores in Ohio they continue to expand expecting to open 24-26 more stores here in 2010.
Carl Daugherty Trotwood’s zoning administrator helped the builders follow the city’s updated landscape and signage requirements and is pleased with the way it enhances Salem Ave. He is hopeful the city will witness additional retail growth this year.
“Grandview Weekend Outlet opened a new store before Christmas next to the Salem Av. K-Mart store,” said Daugherty. “I have an appointment coming up with another prospect that might locate in the Olde Town area.”
Perhaps this new interest in Trotwood could mark 2010 as a turning point for the city’s effort to attract new retailers.
Board members from the Trotwood Chamber of Commerce helped cut the ribbon. As with each local O’Reilly opening a donation is made to a local charity. Accepting for the Goodwill Easter Seals Adult Day Support center was Anna Marty and Shari Hooper.
The Trotwood O’Reilly store is located at 3970 Salem Avenue (937)279-0688.
Trotwood started the New Year with the grand opening of a new O’Reilly Auto Parts store. The 5,900-sq/ft store marks the 7th Dayton area store for the chain as part of a massive expansion within Ohio over the past two years.
“The company has been around for 52 years,” said District manager Jim Miller before the ceremonial ribbon cutting. “I think this store will do real well and our customers already seem to like it.”
The newly built store is nestled on Salem Ave. between three competitors on the same block.
“We have already had customers stop in that were comparing prices from O’Reilly”, said Dave Bohardt manager of nearby Main Auto Parts. He thinks the new competition will be good for business.
Trotwood Chamber members and city officials helped out at the grand opening of the O'Reillys Auto Parts on Salem Av on Januaery 6. (l-r) Sandy Reige, Sandy Marty, Karen Garner, Mathew Wynn (manager), Marie Battle, Gary Fischer, Carl Daugherty, Eric Perkins (asst manager), Jim Mills (district manager), Loren Gross and Shari Hooper (seated).
“There are some things we keep in stock that others don’t,” said Miller. Each of the competitors has their own niche.
Most of the other 36 Ohio O’Reilly stores opened last year were also built near competitors. Now with 66 stores in Ohio they continue to expand expecting to open 24-26 more stores here in 2010.
Carl Daugherty Trotwood’s zoning administrator helped the builders follow the city’s updated landscape and signage requirements and is pleased with the way it enhances Salem Ave. He is hopeful the city will witness additional retail growth this year.
“Grandview Weekend Outlet opened a new store before Christmas next to the Salem Av. K-Mart store,” said Daugherty. “I have an appointment coming up with another prospect that might locate in the Olde Town area.”
Perhaps this new interest in Trotwood could mark 2010 as a turning point for the city’s effort to attract new retailers.
Board members from the Trotwood Chamber of Commerce helped cut the ribbon. As with each local O’Reilly opening a donation is made to a local charity. Accepting for the Goodwill Easter Seals Adult Day Support center was Anna Marty and Shari Hooper.
The Trotwood O’Reilly store is located at 3970 Salem Avenue (937)279-0688.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Ohio Inspector General Says Mayor Davis Misused State Time To Perform Mayoral Duties
By Bruce Kettelle
Trotwood Mayor Darreyl Davis was admonished today in a 12-page report issued by the Ohio Office of Inspector General. The report documents 379 hours of personal time spent while on the job at the Ohio Department of Transportation since April 2007.
The investigation began April 23, 2009 after an anonymous tip alerted the inspector’s office.
Also detailed in the investigation are emails and phone calls between Davis and a former Trotwood city employee who was working at the Ohio Department of Health. The investigator suggests that Davis aided Sheila Edwards to obtain a $5,000 finders fee from a Ghana consultant after Trotwood awarded a $50,000 contract to the firm.
Davis told investigators he never attempted to exert his influence and stressed that his was just one of seven votes approving the contract. Officials from the consultant agreed, and said there was nothing unusual about paying Edwards for her assistance.
Nonetheless the state suggests that Davis’s neglecting to inform city officials of the arrangement prior to the contract award creates the appearance of impropriety.
The investigation also details 379 hours of time Davis spent on Trotwood and personal business while on the clock at ODOT as a supervisor. The inspector suggests that Davis charged nearly $15,000 of time while not working on ODOT matters.
He acknowledged to the investigators with regret his increasing difficulties with juggling and separating his duties for ODOT and Trotwood, but even so said he was surprised by the extent of e-mails and phone calls documented by this investigation. In the report investigators said, “To his credit, Davis recognized the problem – albeit, belatedly – and retired from ODOT to avoid future conflicts.”
The report was forwarded today to ODOT, ODH and prosecutors in Columbus, Franklin County, and Montgomery County.
To read a complete copy of the report click here.
Trotwood Mayor Darreyl Davis was admonished today in a 12-page report issued by the Ohio Office of Inspector General. The report documents 379 hours of personal time spent while on the job at the Ohio Department of Transportation since April 2007.
The investigation began April 23, 2009 after an anonymous tip alerted the inspector’s office.
Also detailed in the investigation are emails and phone calls between Davis and a former Trotwood city employee who was working at the Ohio Department of Health. The investigator suggests that Davis aided Sheila Edwards to obtain a $5,000 finders fee from a Ghana consultant after Trotwood awarded a $50,000 contract to the firm.
Davis told investigators he never attempted to exert his influence and stressed that his was just one of seven votes approving the contract. Officials from the consultant agreed, and said there was nothing unusual about paying Edwards for her assistance.
Nonetheless the state suggests that Davis’s neglecting to inform city officials of the arrangement prior to the contract award creates the appearance of impropriety.
The investigation also details 379 hours of time Davis spent on Trotwood and personal business while on the clock at ODOT as a supervisor. The inspector suggests that Davis charged nearly $15,000 of time while not working on ODOT matters.
He acknowledged to the investigators with regret his increasing difficulties with juggling and separating his duties for ODOT and Trotwood, but even so said he was surprised by the extent of e-mails and phone calls documented by this investigation. In the report investigators said, “To his credit, Davis recognized the problem – albeit, belatedly – and retired from ODOT to avoid future conflicts.”
The report was forwarded today to ODOT, ODH and prosecutors in Columbus, Franklin County, and Montgomery County.
To read a complete copy of the report click here.
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