While surrounding cities, like Beavercreek, Oakwood and Centerville, are taking to the ballot to ask residents for additional funds for schools, road repairs, and government operating expenses, In Dayton, voters will also decide who ends up on the November ballot in the mayoral and city commission races.
WYSO has reported extensively on the three candidates for Mayor, Incumbent Gary Leitzell, former judge and county auditor A.J. Wagner, and City Commissioner Nan Whaley. Two of the three will end up on the November ballot.
In the primary race for City Commissioner there are five candidates:
Joey Williams, a Dayton native, has served on the City Commission since 2002. Another win would mean his fourth term. He says his focus has been “enhancing neighborhoods, creating jobs through economic development, public safety, preserving City services, and improving education.
David Esrati is outspoken on a lot of issues in Dayton and surrounding communities. He has called Dayton’s use of the Priority Board System “fundamentally flawed,” and advocates for a system where “Neighborhood Organizations,” working directly with the City Manager, would take charge of their own progress, in effect – streamlining city government, and eliminating bureaucracy.
David K. Greer is running as an independant but according to his Facebook page, he’s been a registered democrat for the last 40 years. Greer is the current Chairman of the Northwest Priority Board in Dayton. He believes his 31 years experience in civil service qualifies him for the City Commissioner office, and believes government should be more accountable to its tax-paying citizens.
Joseph Lutz, is the founder of Dayton Digital Media, Inc. He’s spent many years in the field of engineering, and while some have noted that he isn’t necessarily seen as a political figure, Lutz says he entered the city commission race out of concern over the recent housing crises.
Jeffrey Mims is a Democrat, and in past interviews has said he considered a run for mayor but decided he could do the most good as City Commissioner. Mims spent 35 years in the Dayton school district, where he served as a teacher, teachers’ union president, an administrator, and a district lobbyist. He has said there are three key areas to a thriving community: public safety, recreation and education.
After Tuesday’s primary election, four of these city commission candidates will advance, and voters will get to decide the final outcome in November.
