Comments on: Gary Leitzell’s first year as mayor

By: Kim Brown

Kim Brown — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 01:59:27 +0000

After seeing our Mayor on the news this morning discussing the article I was curious and wanted to read the interview. I found the Mayor to be just as down to earth as I imagined – what a nice change from former Mayor McLin. I was able to see another side of him and feel even better about the way I cast my vote. Also, I think that if anyone was offended by the strong language, then perhaps you should read the article again and see that the Mayor was actually not the person doing the name calling – just repeating (and defending) what other small-minded people said about him. It’s those people you need to worry about!

Good paper – didn’t know it existed – thank you channel 45!

By: Chris Dwenger

Chris Dwenger — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:35:02 +0000

The mayor should meet privately with all the businesses/ construction companies/ architects that haved worked in Dayton and ask them about there relationship with the City of Dayton Building/Zoning Departments about the ease of obtaining a permit/inspections. He may find some revealing answers.

By: Indrid Cold

Indrid Cold — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:29:45 +0000

Good interview, Maha. You are indeed correct in setting Ms. Crawford straight–in the Weak Mayor form of government, the Mayor CANNOT make broad, sweeping, presidential-like decisions that forever alter the way a city operates. The Mayor is a community advocate and part of a committee. The problem with the previous mayor was that she THOUGHT she was a Strong Mayor and therefore ran her…ahem…administration with a great deal of unnecessary pomp and circumstance, which many citizens saw right through. People can spot a phony and a narcissist a mile away. Leitzell may not be a perfect mayor, but you have to give the guy credit for stepping up and trying to make a difference.

By: Miss Maha

Miss Maha — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:20:32 +0000

Andrea,

Thanks for your comments. Please remember that Mayor Leitzell stepped up to the plate and ran for mayor because he was not happy with the way issues were being addressed with the previous administration. We have to respect the man for stepping up and fighting for what he believed in. The citizens voted and he won the election… He is our mayor. He has some really great ideas, but he is only 1 of 5 votes on a commission and has not been in office long enough to make any major waves. If we had a Strong Mayor system, it might be different…. but Dayton has a Weak Mayor system and the mayor’s role is to be an advocate for the people. The main focus of his job is to work with the citizens and collaborate with the commission to address policy… Not run the city. That’s the city manager’s job. We can’t put all this heat on Mayor Leitzell.

Also, I get frustrated when I hear people complain about his daughter being present at some community functions & events. If having his daughter in attendance (I’ve seen him at several events around town in the past year and his daughter has only been with him twice) is impacting his ability to do the job, then yes that’s a problem. I hate hearing that people are choosing to mold their opinions and constantly criticizing Mayor Leitzell because his daughter attends some of his functions/appearances around town, it’s just unfortunate. Let’s measure our mayor and elected officials by what their goals and accomplishments are taking into considerations the power and authority they actually have. This way, we will be a more productive, collaborative and vibrant community!

All that being said, thanks for reading the interview and your feedback!

By: Miss Maha

Miss Maha — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 20:44:17 +0000

I thoroughly enjoyed my interview with Mayor Leitzell. It was very refreshing that he is a simple, down to earth guy who thinks “beyond the box” and isn’t afraid to act now and ask for forgiveness later.

By: Andrea Crawford

Andrea Crawford — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:12:53 +0000

Mr. Leitzell’s appeal that got him elected…his ‘down to earth’ lack of showmanship, is the very thing that has tainted public opinion. As much as we like to think that we want to be led by the ‘guy next door’, we don’t. We need a leader, someone to ‘rally the troops’, someone who we perceive as stronger and smarter than ourselves who can accomplish things that we as citizens can’t do. Also, Mr. Leitzell tows his 7 year old child with him to EVERY event which isn’t endearing, its simply inappropriate. That has a LOT to do with his negative perception.