I think everyone would agree that each of us wants to see Dayton succeed. However, each of us has an opinion on what path Dayton should take in order to see Dayton succeed. This is simply a difference in principles and philosophy. I think it is too easy to deem one side's argument as negative when we are simply expressing our principles and philosophy for a better Dayton.
It is all but certain that the golf course will be owned and operated by the town of Dayton this year. Some suggestions have been made in trying to make this year's golf course a successful endeavor. The suggestions from this blog can be seen in the prior post's comment's section.
Some other interesting reads from this weekend's comments include the new board. With the comments currently posted and also talking to other people, it seems that quite a few are concerned with the composition of the board. As I stated last week, some of these board member selections are good selections. I believe one of these new board members has posted some good comments this past weekend.
However, there is a little unease regarding other board member selections. That is why I think it is important to have transparency in the decision making process of the board.
First, I think the release of all financial records (ideally a line item budget) from the past year to the public would allow everyone to see what was brought in and what was spend. Furthermore, there should be a public release of the year to date financials this July/August. This would allow the citizens of Dayton to see how the golf course is doing and would provide a good barometer of where things are going.
Next, I would say that there should be a monthly meeting of the new board that is open to the public. This would enable us to hear from the board members on decisions that the board made. Conversely, the public would be able to participate by asking questions and giving their input to the board.
Finally, the board should create some metrics on what they would deem as passing or failing with respect to the golf course. For example: What goals is the course going to try to meet this month/next month/this year? How long is the city going to hold onto the golf course if the course continues to lose money? This is also information that should be made open to the public.
I believe that more transparency would probably put more people at ease. If anyone has any suggestions they would like to put forward with regards to the golf course being more successful, please post them in the comment's section of the previous post.
Very good idea with the public meetinngs. Otherwise it will be hard to see just what is being spent and why. Also as you have suggested a line item budget. Yes, there are probably good people on the board such as "al" who seems to be very open to possible suggestions. I do as stated before have grave concerns over a couple of appointments.
ReplyDeleteLike the Mayor's wife and Councilwoman's husband?
ReplyDeleteGee, how did you guess? I really don't think they will serve the towns best interests.
ReplyDeleteI understand that there are concerns about some of this boards members. But, there are seven members, not two or three. I know the two members refered to in the above comments, very well. And I believe they will work with the towns best interest in mind.
ReplyDeleteI will tell you that this board will be open and honest in all figures and information. One of my prioritys will be to take a good hard look at the budget. I and other members believe we can trim it substantially.
There are members of the board, including me, that read this blog daily so if you have a suggestion, or comment, put it on here and they will be brought up at board meetings by us.
OK now, I have been open and honest with everyone, as I will continue to be. So, I have a favor to ask. Please be patient, give the board and I a chance to go over the budget and all the information, give us a chance to get orginized, and put our plans together. This is not something that can be done over night. Thanks.
Al
I don't like to be threatened by I am going to win even if I have to pad my hand attitude, like the mayor did with his picking of the board. I would like to believe you Al, but the Mayor hasn't shown me that.
ReplyDeleteOne very easy way to alleviate some of this would for the two aforementioned board members to resign. That would show the citizens of Dayton their good faith in all of this. Legally they don't have to, but I really think they should consider that option. But I will bet money they won't resign. If they stay, then I am sure more people will start to question the viability of the whole board. They might be able to serve fairly, but I really think to make the public feel better about this whole mess that it would at least give the appearance that they are not tied to any undue influence. Why not bring that up at a board meeting? At least put it out there and tell them that it might help with opinions in the community. It is not like they are need the job or are getting rich serving, like our worthless senators in Washinton.
ReplyDeleteBecause we are writing in the privacy of our own homes on our private computers, that doesn't mean you are writing in a private diary.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I wonder if anyone has tipped off the mayor's wife or any other members of the Park and Rec's board to look at this post? Of course they are reading it.
Because you are angry with the mayor and a council woman do their spouces deserve to come under attack for offering to serve on what essentially is a sub-committee? They're spouces didn't run for public office. I'm sure you're all going to write back this isn't personal and they don't have to read it. Think about it. Anyone is going to look if they are directly or indirectly being bashed on an open website.
The point has been made at City Council meetings, in the newspaper and on this blog (into boredom) that some people are upset with the appointments and feel its a conflict of interest. Everyone knows it. Those two know it. It's documented in public record.
Question: Some of you praised "Al." How did you know before today's post that "Al" was not the Mayor's wife or the councilwoman's husband?
I don't care if Al is one of the questioned appointees. Al has said made some very good points, but the fact is citizens are concerned about these two appts. strictly because of the closeness to the city council. Whether or not Al is one of the two named does not matter. It is still a matter of showing good faith and looking better if the council had no direct ties with the golf commitee. If Al is one then he or she whichever should step down. I also still maintain no one should be on the board that was on it when it failed the first time.
ReplyDeleteI think you may have missed my point. I'm really hoping that this is the case. I don't want to know otherwise so I'm not checking back. It would be too disappointing
ReplyDeleteI know for a fact the mayor didn't pick at least one person they he was "considering" that has considerable business experience and was willing to serve on the board. That could have saved a little public backlash.
ReplyDeleteNice to hear that Dayton Flyer. I personally know nothing about how it was decided would serve on the board. Maybe that would have been a good choice. Considerable business experience sounds like a plus right now.
ReplyDeleteTo Dayton taxpayer. Please explain your point a little better to me. Is the point that the spouses are being bashed because of their being married to the Mayor and council person? If so I am not bashing the spouses or anybody. I am strictly saying that it would look better and maybe make some people feel better if the Mayor and council did not have a direct pipeline to the board. I didn't bash the Mayor or council person either. I stated facts that were witnessed by anyone going to the council meetings. Mainly not abstaining by the council person when voting on her son as a city employee. Councilman Benson even brought up the possible illegalities of voting for her son. If I was on any board I wouldn't even think of allowing that controversy to happen. I would not vote for a relative, period.
First of all, I am NOT the mayors wife or the council members husband.
ReplyDeleteDaytonflyer, you don't know CRAP for a fact. Let's clear this up right now!
You say there aren't people with business experience on the board.
There are three people including myself, that have business degrees or have been in business, owned a business, or ran a business. So you should check your facts before you start spouting the "I know for a fact " statement!
Every person on this board brings some different kind of experience. So, I think that maybe everyone should get the facts before they say something out of line.
Everyone else I'm sorry I lost my cool. It really upsets me when people state things as fact, when they are not.
With that said I'm done!
Al
I thought D.O. would post yesterday so I was waiting to make this comment on the new posting but, I'll say it now.
ReplyDeleteTonight (Wednesday) our new Parks and Rec board will meet. These people will meet in the face of controversy and as much tension as our community has seen in the last several years. A couple have had their integrity questioned as being able to be impartial or independent thinkers / voters due to their marital status.
ALL the members of this group have agreed to come together for the success of the golf course. The golf course running successfully is a financial benefit to all of us - even those who do not agree with the city owning the golf course.
Please remember this is essentially a sub-committee of the board. The way I understand it the Parks and Recs board has to officially report to the City Council for approval of many actions. The regular meetings of the Parks and Recs board will be a different format than the official meetings of the City Council. These meetings will be working meetings with all sorts of brain storming, fact gathering and trouble shooting initiatives being discussed.
For the Parks and Recs board to be successful (and us all to get the best return on our tax dollars) we all have to give the Parks and Rec board some breathing room. They need some ability to comment and question items without constant interuption, constant input at meetings, and constantly being scrutinized about everything that comes out of their mouths. Please keep this in mind. If persons on this blog or some council members go to the Parks and Rec board behaving in this manner, nothing will be done construtivly and nothing will be accomplished. Remember, their final actions come "officially" before the open meeting of the City Council and that is the time for these things to happen.
Good luck Parks and Recs board. Please remember as you read this; there are more people in the community behind EACH one of you. We need you to help us financially succeed and pull us together as a community. I said a prayer for you all last night for guidance and you will be in my thoughts as you meet tonight. Good luck and God Bless.
Sam - I will have a comment about the council woman's son being hired that I think a lot people in their anger missed, especially council men Vegors and Benson, that had the potential to cause increased liability. I'll make that point tonight. The other point I was making; I guess re-read this entry as written above. If you are not understanding, then I don't think there is anything I can do to make you understand what I was trying to say. I won't hold it against you if you truly don't understand.
Al, I'm sorry if I offended you. I never meant that no one on the board has business experience or was I saying that anyone on the board was unqualified. I just said I know someone who was qualified, considered, and willing to serve. This person could have just prevented a little public backlash in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAgain, sorry if you took my post the wrong way. In no way, shape, or form have I ever tried to insult anyone serving on the council or on this park board. I have only expressed my disagreements in a non-personal matter.
Also looking back on my post Al I can see how my point didn't really come off clear (and was a matter of fact very unclear). I meant I know of one individual that was considered, but not chosen who was very qualified. This qualified person could have taken the place of another person who has caused a little backlash in my opinion. I'm not even saying this person would do a better job, just politically might have been a better choice. I certainly didn't mean you or any other member was unqualified.
ReplyDeleteThanks flyer no hard feelings.
ReplyDeleteAl
Al, since you post on this board, please fill us in on what happens at the board meetings if you can. Are there any plans to publish the decisions or anything like that? Just asking. I don't need any names of who voted for what, just what the collective board's decisions are. Good to see you back.
ReplyDeleteDayton Flyer quit apologizing to Al. I understood your point completely. I wonder if Al is really who this person says they are. Sure reads like the a person quoted on in the Dayton Review or could it be our Mayor.
ReplyDeleteAl you did come off completely unprofessional for someone with a involved with a business or with a business degree. One of the first things you are taught is to remain professional and cool until you find out all sides of the story. (crap) is that professional?
ReplyDeletepost 10:03
ReplyDeleteBelieve what you want.
post 10:06
You're right, losing my cool and using the word crap, were both unprofessional and, for that I appologize to you and the other posters.
Daytonflyer, just wanted to appologize for misunderstanding your post and losing my cool. I'm going to have to remember not to type angry.
ReplyDeleteAl