By Bruce Kettelle
The new census numbers sound an alarm that Ohio continues to experience rapid population decentralization. An effect we commonly call urban sprawl.
Youngstown, Cleveland, Dayton, Cincinnati, Toledo and Akron all lost over 8% of their urban population while the state as a whole grew.
People migrate for many reasons such as rural lifestyles, better schools, seemingly lower taxes, or to be closer to work. But the long-range pitfalls of unregulated sprawl are catching up with Ohio and left unfettered will be difficult to reverse.
One of the biggest real-time costs is providing the ever-expanding transportation and utility network to support these deltas of settlements around our cities. New roads, bridges, and highway widening projects consume valuable resources, and limited state and local budgets.
Rural development stresses limited water supplies. Growing auto usage consumes precious oil and pollutes our air. Deserted housing and commercial areas create blight and encourage crime.
Meanwhile futurists have warned us for over a century that the world population will grow larger than our planet’s ability to provide food for our billions of people. This year we received a wakeup call with droughts in Russia and a below average crop in the US and Ohio. We will not run out of food this year but the supplies are so tight that corn, for example, has tripled from $2 to over $6 a bushel in a few short years.
Capitalism may already be trying to slow the development of rural areas as the price for farmland is rising. Farms that sold ten years ago for $2,200 an acre are now bringing $5,500 and more. That is still far less than the tens of thousands developers are willing to pay, but it is getting closer. And once land is soiled by development it loses its agriculture productivity.
We have a choice. We can wait until food prices skyrocket putting the value of farmland out of the reach of developers or we can be proactive and develop sensible regional growth strategies now to preserve arable land for our food needs. If we wait there is no guarantee the markets will adjust in time and we will have already invested much more in new infrastructure costs.
Smart policies will create demand for vacant buildings and factory sites. Creative redevelopment of these assets will utilize the existing infrastructure already in place. This practice is already proving to work in places like Portland, Oregon and Louisville, Kentucky. Why shouldn’t we do it here in Dayton and all of Ohio?
Regional cooperation and planning is a sound idea whose time has come and it will save taxpayers money.
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Monday, March 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Meet Your New Council Woman
By Bruce Kettelle
On Monday The Trotwood City Council appointed Nicole Johnson to fill the Ward 1 council seat vacated when Joyce Sutton advanced to the mayor’s slot. At 38 Johnson is the youngest person to serve on the Trotwood council in recent years.
Johnson purchased her first home in Trotwood in the Sycamore Woods subdivision two years ago. A Dayton area native she has also lived in Englewood and Harrison Township. She attended a private high school in New England and studied history and African-American studies at Brown University in Rhode Island.
Johnson has been thinking about serving in Trotwood government since moving here. She attended the city’s first Citizen Volunteer Academy in 2008.
“Government policies have always been a passion for me,” said Johnson. “I worked on the Dukakis For President campaign before I could even vote.”
“One of the things I shared in the interview with city council is we (the city) haven’t taken information technology to the next level.” She hopes to use more of the available Internet social platforms like Twitter and Facebook to help keep citizens better informed.
“This is particularly important if we are going to promote a technology center on the Salem Mall site,” said Johnson. “We need to be using the leading edge.”
That fits right in with her current job at Care Source in Dayton where she works in the Decision Support Informatics department.
She is also concerned with the outbreak of graffiti in the community and hopes to get residents and businesses more involved. “We need to come together as a community on this issue and work beyond the criminal aspects of the problem.”
Johnson has been attending council meetings for some time and is already familiar with many of the issues of the day. She looks forward to hearing from citizens. “I appreciate everyone that lives in this community especially those that have lived here over 50 years.”
Trowood's newest city council member Nicole Johnson (center) was sworn in on April 19. She was welcomed by Trotwood Mayor Joyce Sutton Cameron and State Representative Roland Winburn.
On Monday The Trotwood City Council appointed Nicole Johnson to fill the Ward 1 council seat vacated when Joyce Sutton advanced to the mayor’s slot. At 38 Johnson is the youngest person to serve on the Trotwood council in recent years.
Johnson purchased her first home in Trotwood in the Sycamore Woods subdivision two years ago. A Dayton area native she has also lived in Englewood and Harrison Township. She attended a private high school in New England and studied history and African-American studies at Brown University in Rhode Island.
Johnson has been thinking about serving in Trotwood government since moving here. She attended the city’s first Citizen Volunteer Academy in 2008.
“Government policies have always been a passion for me,” said Johnson. “I worked on the Dukakis For President campaign before I could even vote.”
“One of the things I shared in the interview with city council is we (the city) haven’t taken information technology to the next level.” She hopes to use more of the available Internet social platforms like Twitter and Facebook to help keep citizens better informed.
“This is particularly important if we are going to promote a technology center on the Salem Mall site,” said Johnson. “We need to be using the leading edge.”
That fits right in with her current job at Care Source in Dayton where she works in the Decision Support Informatics department.
She is also concerned with the outbreak of graffiti in the community and hopes to get residents and businesses more involved. “We need to come together as a community on this issue and work beyond the criminal aspects of the problem.”
Johnson has been attending council meetings for some time and is already familiar with many of the issues of the day. She looks forward to hearing from citizens. “I appreciate everyone that lives in this community especially those that have lived here over 50 years.”
Trowood's newest city council member Nicole Johnson (center) was sworn in on April 19. She was welcomed by Trotwood Mayor Joyce Sutton Cameron and State Representative Roland Winburn.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Going Places - Development Planning Workshop April 7th
Going Places, the Integrated Land Use Vision for the Miami Valley Region is a 4-year regional land use planning initiative designed to bring people together to build a clear and shared future land use framework to guide development in the Miami Valley Region.
"We encourage citizens in the Miami Valley Region to spare 90 minutes of their personal time to participate in the Going Places workshop to share their vision of our region's future," said Martin Kim, Director of Regional Planning for the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission.. "With residents and business participation, we can build a shared vision that will impact our quality of life and economic prosperity for now and for many generations to come."
Local residents should attend to make sure Trotwood has a voice in the regional plan. He even hopes someone might have a new idea "we haven't thought of before." They are taking all comments (and maps) received in the public workshops and compiling them, which they will use in a computer model to determine potential economic, environmental, demographic, etc., outcomes.
Once the results from the local workshops is integrated the Going Place team will hold 3 county- and 1 region-wide public workshops to whittle down the choices. Once there is a unified vision, each jurisdictions will be asked to endorse and use the plan.
Reservations for the workshop are not required. If you cannot attend the draft plan is available on the MVRPC web site where additional comments are accepted. For additional information call the MVRPC at (937) 223-6323 or visit www.mvrpc.org
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
7 Residents Apply For Vacant Council Seat
By Bruce Kettelle
Seven Trotwood residents in Ward 1 submitted applications for the Trotwood city council seat vacated by Vice-Mayor Joyce Sutton. Sutton was promoted to Mayor last month upon the resignation of Darreyl Davis.
The city charter directs city council to fill the vacancy within 60 days. Interviews of the candidates will be conducted before council votes on a successor later this month
The applicants are: David W. Norvell, Herbert T. Marshall, Geraldine Newberry, Wanda M. Adams, Nicole Johnson, Tanya E. Jackson, and Anita Schmaltz.
Seven Trotwood residents in Ward 1 submitted applications for the Trotwood city council seat vacated by Vice-Mayor Joyce Sutton. Sutton was promoted to Mayor last month upon the resignation of Darreyl Davis.
The city charter directs city council to fill the vacancy within 60 days. Interviews of the candidates will be conducted before council votes on a successor later this month
The applicants are: David W. Norvell, Herbert T. Marshall, Geraldine Newberry, Wanda M. Adams, Nicole Johnson, Tanya E. Jackson, and Anita Schmaltz.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Applications Sought For Empty City Council Seat
Bt Bruce Kettelle
The Trotwood city council is accepting applications for the vacant Ward 1 city council seat. This is the seat held by Joyce Sutton Cameron who was elevated to the position of Mayor after the recent resignation of former Mayor Darreyl Davis.
Applications are available on the city’s web site or at the government center and must be submitted by March 26th to the clerk of council Lois Singleton.
According to the city charter applicants must be a Trotwood resident for at least one year and currently be residing in the area known as District (Ward) 1. The city council is required to fill the vacancy within 60 days.
Interested residents should complete the city’s volunteer application although there is a small annual stipend paid to city council members. A boundary map showing District 1 is available on the web site or at the city offices.
Completed applications may be delivered to the city offices or submitted by email or facsimile to 854-0574.
Questions about the process should be directed to Lois Singleton 854-7212 or by email lsingleton@trotwood.org. For forms maps and other information visit www.Trotwood.org
The Trotwood city council is accepting applications for the vacant Ward 1 city council seat. This is the seat held by Joyce Sutton Cameron who was elevated to the position of Mayor after the recent resignation of former Mayor Darreyl Davis.
Applications are available on the city’s web site or at the government center and must be submitted by March 26th to the clerk of council Lois Singleton.
According to the city charter applicants must be a Trotwood resident for at least one year and currently be residing in the area known as District (Ward) 1. The city council is required to fill the vacancy within 60 days.
Interested residents should complete the city’s volunteer application although there is a small annual stipend paid to city council members. A boundary map showing District 1 is available on the web site or at the city offices.
Completed applications may be delivered to the city offices or submitted by email or facsimile to 854-0574.
Questions about the process should be directed to Lois Singleton 854-7212 or by email lsingleton@trotwood.org. For forms maps and other information visit www.Trotwood.org
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Trotwood Mayor Resigns
Trotwood Mayor Resigns, Vice Mayor Cameron To Fill TermBy Bruce Kettelle
Following a hastily called special city council meeting tonight, Vice Mayor Joyce Sutton Cameron announced that Trotwood Mayor Darreyl Davis has resigned. Cameron will be sworn in on March 1st to complete the unexpired portion of his term through the end of 2011.
Davis has been under fire since the release of a January investigation report from the Ohio Inspector General. The investigation revealed that Davis had conducted city business for Trotwood while on the clock at the Ohio Department of Transportation. Davis worked for ODOT for 30-years before his resignation last fall after the allegations came to light.
"City council will accept the resignation at the regular meeting in March and swear in the vice mayor to fill the remaining time of his term," said Cameron in a prepared statement. The resignation letter did not give any reasons for his decision.
"We will interview and appoint someone to fill my seat," Cameron said. By the city charter the city council has 60-days to make that appointment.
Cameron said the investigation has only had one negative impact on the city causing a delay in the next phase of design work for the Salem Mall site.. The investigation revealed that the city's design contractor for the mall site had given a friend of Davis a $5,000 finders fee for helping to land the contract. Davis himself did not receive any of that money.
"We want to come out from this as a whole council," said Cameron optimistically. "We intend on moving ahead together." She hopes the residents will have more confidence in their elected officials as they move forward.
Davis did not return phone calls for comment. His letter ended "I wish the City of Trotwood much success in the future."
Trotwood resident Janice Chinn said, "It's sad that this change had to happen this way." Chinn, a critic of the Mayor and unsuccessful city council candidate thinks the citizens will get behind the new mayor.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Do We Need Countywide School Districts In Ohio?
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?
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?
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.
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.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Health Care - What Will The New Bill Mean To You?
The Healthcare bill passed by the US Senate on Christmas Eve will not be finalized until the modified plan is passed in the US House again. While most expect there will be some minor changes there are some basic elements that should stay firm.
Here are some of the key questions and answers if it become law:
For consumers:
Q: Would the law force me to buy health insurance?
A: Yes, for most people. Of course, if you already have insurance from your job or are on Medicare, that won’t be a problem for you. Others might have to turn to newly created “exchanges” to buy coverage.
Q: What if I refuse?
A: You’d face a fine. It would start at $95 a year in 2014 and rise to $750 a year by 2016, or as much as 2% of your income, capped at the value of a basic insurance plan.
Q: What if I can’t afford coverage?
A: You’re likely to qualify for subsidies. The new consumer insurance subsidies would mean that a family of four earning about $22,000 a year would pay no more than 2% of its income toward insurance premiums. That assistance would stretch on a sliding scale up to a family of four earning about $88,000 a year and cap its premiums at 9.8% of the family’s income. Medicaid would be available to a family of four earning up to about $29,000.
For employers:
Q: Under the bill, do I have to give my employees coverage?
A: Technically, there’s no requirement, but if you have more than 50 employees and don’t offer coverage, you’re likely to face penalties. Any employer that doesn’t offer affordable coverage and has an employee who gets a tax credit would face a fine of $750 per worker.
Q: What if I have fewer than 50 employees?
A: The penalties don’t apply to you.
Q: With premiums rising so quickly, what’s to stop small employers from dropping coverage?
A: Small employers would get help to encourage them to maintain health coverage. Starting next year, firms with a small number of workers and average wages of up to $25,000 a year would be eligible for tax credits equal to 35% of the company’s cost of their insurance. That help would phase out gradually for firms with more employees and higher wages.
Here are some of the key questions and answers if it become law:
For consumers:
Q: Would the law force me to buy health insurance?
A: Yes, for most people. Of course, if you already have insurance from your job or are on Medicare, that won’t be a problem for you. Others might have to turn to newly created “exchanges” to buy coverage.
Q: What if I refuse?
A: You’d face a fine. It would start at $95 a year in 2014 and rise to $750 a year by 2016, or as much as 2% of your income, capped at the value of a basic insurance plan.
Q: What if I can’t afford coverage?
A: You’re likely to qualify for subsidies. The new consumer insurance subsidies would mean that a family of four earning about $22,000 a year would pay no more than 2% of its income toward insurance premiums. That assistance would stretch on a sliding scale up to a family of four earning about $88,000 a year and cap its premiums at 9.8% of the family’s income. Medicaid would be available to a family of four earning up to about $29,000.
For employers:
Q: Under the bill, do I have to give my employees coverage?
A: Technically, there’s no requirement, but if you have more than 50 employees and don’t offer coverage, you’re likely to face penalties. Any employer that doesn’t offer affordable coverage and has an employee who gets a tax credit would face a fine of $750 per worker.
Q: What if I have fewer than 50 employees?
A: The penalties don’t apply to you.
Q: With premiums rising so quickly, what’s to stop small employers from dropping coverage?
A: Small employers would get help to encourage them to maintain health coverage. Starting next year, firms with a small number of workers and average wages of up to $25,000 a year would be eligible for tax credits equal to 35% of the company’s cost of their insurance. That help would phase out gradually for firms with more employees and higher wages.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Three Trotwood City Levies Pass, Schools Rejected Again
By Bruce Kettelle
Several Trotwood precincts were late being counted Tuesday delaying the outcomes of several close races. With the last precinct tabulated at 12:30 AM Wednesday both the Trotwood EMS and Fire issues were approved, one street levy passes and the incumbent city council members were re-elected to new four-year terms.
Several Trotwood precincts were late being counted Tuesday delaying the outcomes of several close races. With the last precinct tabulated at 12:30 AM Wednesday both the Trotwood EMS and Fire issues were approved, one street levy passes and the incumbent city council members were re-elected to new four-year terms.
"We have to be very excited that they won," said fire chief Gene Lutz as he watched levy results roll in at the firehouse on Little Richmond Rd. "We can continue to provide this level of service and replace outdated equipment." The EMS renewal levy is passing with 66.4% of the vote. The fire equipment additional levy was much closer with 51.1% of the vote.
The Trotwood street department will have some new money for next year. Voters gave 51.6% approval to funding for street maintenance including additional salt supplies for snow and ice control in the winter. But the request to fund other expenses including leaf pick up only attracted a 39.7% approval leaving this category unfunded for next year.
"We worked very hard for this," said public works director Thomas Odenigbo. "It must be what the residents want and I'll live with it." Supporters of the street levy were gathered at the community center in Sycamore Woods.
A complication in the ballot language for the second street levy left some voters confused. One unidentified voter in ward three said he thought the wording was so vague that it sounded like a general fund levy. He said he voted no and thought others might have mistakenly done the same.
The Trotwood-Madison City Schools will be waking up today to the failure of their second levy attempt. They are trying to raise additional operating funds for the first time since the early 1990s. Even though the district reduced the request this year only 41% of the voters agreed with yesterday's 7.5-mill attempt.
Last years 9.06-mill levy received a slightly higher percentage at 44.6. During that 2008 Presidential election 71% of Trotwood’s voters turned out to the polls.
School supporters gathered at the former Moto Photo headquarters lamented that this will mean cuts in the 2010-2011 budget. "The board will have to make cuts in academics, extracurricular, and bussing," said assistant superintendent Rexanne Wagner. "They will feel the cuts."
Three school board members were reelected to four-year terms. Deborah Daniels, Teena Davis and Denise Moore ran unopposed.
There was competition for three of the four city council seats. Rap Hankins narrowly retained his seat in a heated race from newcomer Janice Chinn. Chinn centered her campaign on the failure of city council to raise objections over the new Greyhound Bus terminal opening last month on Shiloh Springs Rd. Hankins pulled 807 votes to Chinn's 774 in the Ward 2 race.
Joyce Sutton Cameron (Ward 1) and Mary McDonald (Ward 4) easily kept their council seats with 61% and 62% affirmations. Cameron received 1,103 votes to Mattie Clay's 703. McDonald captured 545 votes to J.D. Williams II's 333.
Ron Vaughn ran unopposed in Ward 3.
Trotwood's turnout was a little heavier than usual off-year elections. A total of 6,103 voters came to the polls, a 33% turnout. The highest turnout is Ward 3 with 36% and the lowest is Ward 4 with 29%.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Trotwood Voter Turnout Higher Than Expected
Trotwood voters poured out to the polls today in larger numbers than expected. By 3pm most polls acknowledged a 25% turnout. A Late day surge boosted that number and two locations exceeded 50%.
Voters were inspired by different issues. Some said they were there because of one of the state issues. Others indicated they were motivated by specific county and local levies on the ballot as the most important reason for coming out.
At issue in Trotwood are three city council seats, two fire levies, two street levies, and the Trotwood Madison school levy. Totally Trotwood will post the final Trotwood results later tonight.
Voters were inspired by different issues. Some said they were there because of one of the state issues. Others indicated they were motivated by specific county and local levies on the ballot as the most important reason for coming out.
At issue in Trotwood are three city council seats, two fire levies, two street levies, and the Trotwood Madison school levy. Totally Trotwood will post the final Trotwood results later tonight.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Trotwood Council Meeting Cancelled Nov 2
Due to lack of agenda items the regularly scheduled Trotwood City Council meeting is cancelled for Monday November 2, 2009. For more information contact clerk of council Lois Singleton at 854-7212.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Greyhound Opening Anticlimactic
By Bruce Kettelle
About a dozen passengers with baggage were lined up inside the Trotwood GDRTA Northwest Hub Tuesday morning. They were not waiting for an RTA bus. These were some of the first to catch a Greyhound bus from Trotwood, specifically the southbound bus leaving at 9am.
Dayton resident Sirgeo Thompson a local photographer is headed for Atlanta. “I’m doing a shoot there for Boss Magazine,” said Thompson.
Behind him is an elderly Old Order German Baptist in a wide brimmed hat. After overhearing the conversation with the photographer he pulled out a 2005 issue of National Geographic Magazine. “That’s me and my wife,” he said pointing to a picture in the magazine.
He was on his way home to Jackson Mississippi. He didn’t know about the Greyhound terminal moving to Trotwood until he arrived at the former location in downtown Dayton earlier this morning. “We hurried up out here real quick.”
A college student on his way to Cincinnati joined in to look at some of the pictures being passed around. Anything to help pass the time while waiting for the bus.
As the bus pulled out Frank Ecklar, Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority director of planning said, “that’s number three, only 14 more to go today.” Ecklar was on hand to monitor the first day of operations at the relocated Greyhound terminal co-located in the existing RTA facility.
“Speedway is going to make a mint from this,” said Ecklar referring to a fairly steady stream of passengers stocking up on travel goodies at the convenience store next door.
Ecklar was taking notes on how the passengers, cars, and busses interacted to develop a list of improvements needed for the site. Already in place is a new ticket window inside, a dedicated Greyhound lane in front of the building and some new signage.
One of the things at the top of his list is installing a pay phone as three riders had already asked where to find the phone.
Typically there will be 17 Greyhound busses a day in addition to the nearly 300 RTA busses already using the hub. Ecklar said the frequency is close to hourly. During holidays residents may see a few more since Greyhound sends two busses (as needed) on some routes.
The first day of service in Trotwood almost seemed anticlimactic. Fears raised by citizens of homeless people and criminals frequenting the Greyhound station were unsubstantiated. From all appearances the location will be a positive impact for the community.
With the exception of one bus that had to use the Lowes parking lot to turn around after heading the wrong way on Route 49 it was a very smooth opening for RTA and Greyhound.
The Greyhound terminal and Northwest RTA hub serving Dayton and Trotwood is located at 2075 Shiloh Springs Rd.
The posted Greyhound schedule in the Dayton/Trotwood terminal.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Greyhound Moves To Trotwood October 27
By Bruce Kettelle
Greyhound busses will begin running in Trotwood on Tuesday October 27th. Today's announcement is the culmination of a lengthy process to find a replacement terminal for their downtown Dayton location.
Beginning Tuesday all arriving and departing Dayton passengers will load at the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority’s Northwest Hub at 2075 Shiloh Springs Rd in Trotwood. Greyhound officials said there are 15 busses serving their Dayton terminal each day. “This new location provides a wonderful opportunity to better serve the residents of the greater Dayton area,” said Eric Melton, district manager, Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Some Greyhound passengers are expected to take advantage of the GDRTA system to get to and from their final destination.
Earlier this year some Trotwood residents objected to the move. Concerns about crime and the additional traffic included several public protests. Assurances from the Trotwood police department and the GDRTA calmed most of that opposition.
The facility is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and provides Greyhound PackageXpress (GPX) shipping. For Greyhound ticket information in Trotwood, call 937-224-1608.
Greyhound busses will begin running in Trotwood on Tuesday October 27th. Today's announcement is the culmination of a lengthy process to find a replacement terminal for their downtown Dayton location.
Beginning Tuesday all arriving and departing Dayton passengers will load at the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority’s Northwest Hub at 2075 Shiloh Springs Rd in Trotwood. Greyhound officials said there are 15 busses serving their Dayton terminal each day. “This new location provides a wonderful opportunity to better serve the residents of the greater Dayton area,” said Eric Melton, district manager, Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Some Greyhound passengers are expected to take advantage of the GDRTA system to get to and from their final destination.
Earlier this year some Trotwood residents objected to the move. Concerns about crime and the additional traffic included several public protests. Assurances from the Trotwood police department and the GDRTA calmed most of that opposition.
The facility is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and provides Greyhound PackageXpress (GPX) shipping. For Greyhound ticket information in Trotwood, call 937-224-1608.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Editorial - Ohio Issue 1, Ohio Issue 2, Ohio Issue 3 Vote No Not Yes
By Bruce Kettelle
Vote no, do not vote yes. That statement may sound confusing and a little redundant but it is a lot more clear than the explanations flowing around about this year’s ballot issues in Ohio.
Ohio voters have been barraged with statewide initiatives from special interest groups in recent years. Some want to adopt specific lending or budget plans. Others look to make sweeping changes to the Ohio constitution that usually benefit or limit a narrow interest group. 2009 is no exception.
Why we allow these special interest things to come to the ballot makes no sense to me. Essentially these are last-ditch efforts to pass new rules that were not adopted by the state legislature. Don’t you think there could be a good reason the state legislature chose not to enact these rules?
Issue 1 sounds like a great way to finance a $1,000 bonus for Ohio war veterans. So why didn’t the legislature act? Probably because the proponents did not come up with an adequate way to pay the money back out of the dwindling state budget. For the same reason we should also vote no.
Issue 2 was placed on the ballot by the legislature at the urging of the Farm Bureau and other agricultural interests. Why didn’t they just enact it themselves? Probably because it creates a very narrowly appointed animal rights board primarily controlled by big agriculture companies and groups. This appointed board will create all future animal treatment rules with no input from the legislature. How can that be good? We should vote no.
Issue 3 for gambling gets an F even with a close inspection. Written by the same company that will get to build the only casinos in Ohio without having to compete for that opportunity. They even got to write their own taxation rates that will make Ohio’s one of the lowest casino taxes in the country. The legislature needs to draft sensible casino legislation that creates competitive bidding for operators and sets taxation and oversight guidelines before one of these idiotic industry written issues accidentally passes. Vote no on gambling this time too.
Actually I have not met a statewide constitutional ballot issue in Ohio that I have really liked. Each one seems to suit a too narrow definition. Constitutional amendments should be broad stroke issues that serve the citizens by defining generally what is allowed or not. The specific rules should come after much research from well informed legislators.
Maybe it is time to vote yes to limit the types of ballot initiatives permitted in Ohio. But who will pay to collect the needed signatures?
Election day is November 3rd.
Vote no, do not vote yes. That statement may sound confusing and a little redundant but it is a lot more clear than the explanations flowing around about this year’s ballot issues in Ohio.
Ohio voters have been barraged with statewide initiatives from special interest groups in recent years. Some want to adopt specific lending or budget plans. Others look to make sweeping changes to the Ohio constitution that usually benefit or limit a narrow interest group. 2009 is no exception.
Why we allow these special interest things to come to the ballot makes no sense to me. Essentially these are last-ditch efforts to pass new rules that were not adopted by the state legislature. Don’t you think there could be a good reason the state legislature chose not to enact these rules?
Issue 1 sounds like a great way to finance a $1,000 bonus for Ohio war veterans. So why didn’t the legislature act? Probably because the proponents did not come up with an adequate way to pay the money back out of the dwindling state budget. For the same reason we should also vote no.
Issue 2 was placed on the ballot by the legislature at the urging of the Farm Bureau and other agricultural interests. Why didn’t they just enact it themselves? Probably because it creates a very narrowly appointed animal rights board primarily controlled by big agriculture companies and groups. This appointed board will create all future animal treatment rules with no input from the legislature. How can that be good? We should vote no.
Issue 3 for gambling gets an F even with a close inspection. Written by the same company that will get to build the only casinos in Ohio without having to compete for that opportunity. They even got to write their own taxation rates that will make Ohio’s one of the lowest casino taxes in the country. The legislature needs to draft sensible casino legislation that creates competitive bidding for operators and sets taxation and oversight guidelines before one of these idiotic industry written issues accidentally passes. Vote no on gambling this time too.
Actually I have not met a statewide constitutional ballot issue in Ohio that I have really liked. Each one seems to suit a too narrow definition. Constitutional amendments should be broad stroke issues that serve the citizens by defining generally what is allowed or not. The specific rules should come after much research from well informed legislators.
Maybe it is time to vote yes to limit the types of ballot initiatives permitted in Ohio. But who will pay to collect the needed signatures?
Election day is November 3rd.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
No Leaf Pick Up In Trotwood
By Bruce Kettelle
For the first time in nearly 30 years there will not be a city leaf pick up program in Trotwood this fall. Residents accustomed to raking their leaves into piles by the curb will have to bag their leaves for pickup with the trash.
The public works department was forced to make some cuts this year after the failure of a road levy last November. Public Works director Thomas Odenigbo said reductions included street maintenance, snow removal, and the leaf pick up program.
Rumpke, the city’s trash hauler, has agreed to pick up the bags of leaves on the regular trash collection days in the city. Odenigbo is also encouraging residents to consider composting their own leaves. There are several methods of composting including commercially available compost barrels available at home improvement centers.
Odenigbo wants residents to know that unbagged leaves at the curb will not be picked up. Leaves left by the street will create problems with storm water runoff including clogging local storm drains.
Trotwood city council would like to see the leaf pick up program reinstated. That will happen if the new public works levies on this November’s ballot succeed.
For the first time in nearly 30 years there will not be a city leaf pick up program in Trotwood this fall. Residents accustomed to raking their leaves into piles by the curb will have to bag their leaves for pickup with the trash.
The public works department was forced to make some cuts this year after the failure of a road levy last November. Public Works director Thomas Odenigbo said reductions included street maintenance, snow removal, and the leaf pick up program.
Rumpke, the city’s trash hauler, has agreed to pick up the bags of leaves on the regular trash collection days in the city. Odenigbo is also encouraging residents to consider composting their own leaves. There are several methods of composting including commercially available compost barrels available at home improvement centers.
Odenigbo wants residents to know that unbagged leaves at the curb will not be picked up. Leaves left by the street will create problems with storm water runoff including clogging local storm drains.
Trotwood city council would like to see the leaf pick up program reinstated. That will happen if the new public works levies on this November’s ballot succeed.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Mall Plans Taking Shape
By Bruce Kettelle
Imagine a broad 8-acre lawn with weekly and sometimes daily activities. Concerts, farm markets, pet contests would be in full sight from passing cars along Shiloh Springs Rd enticing the curious to pull in and check it out. That is exactly what The Stonehenge Company expects would happen if Trotwood officials were to adopt a concept plan presented Wednesday.
The entire Trotwood City Council traveled to the company’s headquarters in Gahanna, OH to get the results of their preliminary recommendations to transform the site of the former Salem Mall.
“The city should be looking at a long term solution designed for the next generation,” said Stonehenge President Mo Dioun. “Successful areas across the country have clusters of mixed use.” He said it is important for the city to create a sustainable concept.
Dioun said single use concepts such as large retail centers tend to have limited life spans. The former Salem Mall began its decline after 30 years, which is typical of many malls across the country and with that 17% of the nations retail jobs have disappeared since 2001. The Salem Mall was demolished in 2006.
Stonehenge has become a specialist in turning dead malls into dynamic destinations with recent successes that include repositioning the 68 acre Northland Mall near Columbus into the Northland Village that incorporates a central park feature driving new visitors into the mixed use center.
With architectural and design assistance from Bird Houk Collaborative (also located in Gahanna) the city council was presented several options and a recommendation that includes two centralized park areas surrounded by a combination of offices, retail, civic, and educational buildings.
The concept includes eight new streets emanating form a central 2-acre circular plaza with inviting pedestrian ways interconnecting throughout. Although no commitments are in place the plan identifies potential occupants within the various new development blocks between the streets. Dioun recommended a phased approach that would begin with the larger park area to begin attracting visitors and interest to the area.
According to Dioun the mixed use lifestyle center approach will take longer to complete than a single use concept but it should last a very long time. The city would be responsible for providing the ongoing activity schedule in the park.
The council members were receptive. “If we look at drawing people first then we will get businesses like restaurants wanting to capitalize on all those people,” said Mayor Darreyl Davis. “And if we attract offices all those people will need a place to have lunch.”
No costs were presented with the concept but officials said the budget would depend on the revenue projections in the Tax Increment Finance District already in place around the site. TIF districts allow cities to borrow money without using the general fund. New property tax revenues generated by the improvements in the district are used to repay that debt.
“This will take a lot of political will,” said Dioun. “Once you start you have to stay committed as the leadership of the city.”
The council is expected to decide soon which concept to move forward. The next step will be a public presentation and meeting to collect input from the community on the plans that will help shape the final design. Bird Houk representatives hope to see that occur during October.
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