I wanted to post the 8 suggestions that were previously posted in Letter to the Dayton Observer. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.
1) A well written, reasonable and attainable business plan by the park and rec board.
2) An audit of the golf course because there seems to be ongoing questions of what has happened financially. This audit should solve the questions. If everything is o.k. then good, if not then it would need to be fixed.
3) The city attorney be replaced, I do not think after his “personal tirade” that he could or should continue to represent Dayton.
4) That several completely unbiased individuals be on the park and rec board.
5) The council work together to get along, possibly some apologies with the council it’s self and to some others closely involved.
6) An up front open and honest movement by the mayor, council and park and rec board. When things are not perceived as easily answered or information easily and quickly given then it is questioned as to the valid and truthful of any answers or information. This is human nature.
7) Sometimes appeasements to people, ie: arrangement of tables at council meetings, purchasing cheap microphone. These are just examples. If you try to meet very simple requests it will make people happier. It’s usually the small pebbles that irritate people the most, and then these things multiply and become boulders.
8) Have a community healing potluck picnic as suggested by Cindy Corson.
Good suggestions. Does anyone have any others?
ReplyDeleteSamaddams, Taxpayer, Daytonflyer where are you?
Was the golf course audited before the city bought it.
ReplyDeleteI've been enjoying life.
ReplyDeleteNice positive focused letter Cindi. I hope you have good luck with the potluck!!!
About the business plan (and this is just my unsolicited 2 cents); it's been my experience the manager of a department or executive of a business write the business plan and submit it to a board for approval.
The role of the board is to ensure the manager/director/executive is meeting the vision the board has set on behalf of the community.
By the manager/director/executive submitting the plan, it lets the board know if they are on he same page as the person they have hired to determine how the work is done to meet their goals. Hopefully this makes sense.
This is just my OPINION. I can't speak for the P&R board or city council - maybe they have very different ideas - if so, their opinion is who's counts as they were elected or appointed to their seats on the board/council - not me.
Weather is great! Go out and enjoy it. I'll read this here and there but you probably won't hear much from me.
By their own auditor, I saw the the audit and it was very inconclusive, because of their careless record keeping. Maybe that ought to tell you how they are running it now. We need an independent audit and we need it now, because there are apparently three or four sets of numbers, changes on any given day.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that's why they were forced to sell it or lose it? I find it really hard to believe that the mayor would appoint some of the same people that ran into the ground to try to revive it. Does not make any business sense what so ever. Why can't we stop the madness now. Let's get an independent audit now, show us mayor. Either that or get out, and quit throwing our money away.
ReplyDeleteTaxpayer:
ReplyDeleteThat is normally how a business plan is written. But in this situation, who would write this business plan? The golf course manager or the greenskeeper. I guess the way that would be answered would be looking at their job descriptions.
Who really is the Manager of Golf Course?
Taxpayer: Your definitions are completely correct. In this situation the above mentioned question would need to be answered.
In my opinion since the council appointed a board to oversee all parks, that board would write the plan so it would be all inclusive of all parks in Dayton just not the golf course.
I am saying this because their is no manager of each park. They could have the person who's job description specifies management write the golf courses portion.
The coucil/ Golf and Rec board would need to make this decision.
I still feel strongly their needs to be a business plan as taxpayer money has been used to purchase the course.
I have been out of town the last few days and have not been online. The 8 suggestions in my opinion are a great idea. As far as someone asking if there was an audit before the town bought the course, I heard they tried but it was basically unauditable due to very poor record keeping. I have no proof of that, just what someone that saw the books told me. Take it for what it is. I would like to see a full audit of the course and see how it is fairing. I think everyone of those 8 points should be considered by the P & R board as well as the Mayor and Council. What we need is both sides to come together and ask the Mayor to implement these suggestions. One or two or even 5 of us will most likely get nowhere with asking for help with this. If many from both sides of the issue would get together so there was a concensus of residents then maybe he would listen to us. I would like to see an informal poll on this. Just post yes or no. Please don't stuff the ballot box either. There is enough of that in the real world. I vote yes for the 8 suggestions. To the Mayor: The ball is in your court. Please respond and tell us what you think.
ReplyDeleteSince there was an independent audit conducted, and if it was shown that there were some issues. Those issues should have been corrected at the time of purchase and in my OPINION monitoring the policies and procedures should have been implemented. I have heard rumblings of inconsistencies even now. That is why I agree that an audit be conducted at this time whether it is from a reputable auditing firm or the state auditor’s office. This would answer many questions. Like it was said from someone in an earlier post if everything is kosher and correct now then great, if not then corrections need to be made.
ReplyDeleteYes x 3 in family
ReplyDeleteSo far 4 for the 8 suggestions.
ReplyDeletetwo for my family, good luck.
ReplyDeleteThe city should have a copy of the audit, because it was brought out and given to the public by Kevin Wickwire, he was the one that was instumental in getting it sold to the city.
ReplyDeleteOne, for the eight suggestions. I think this is a positive move for all.
ReplyDeleteTwo for my family. Let's Roll......
ReplyDeleteLooks like nine so far.
ReplyDeleteI'm for it.
ReplyDeleteWait, I'm lost. What are we saying yes or no to, A)going to the potluck or B)going as a group to ask the mayor to address these 8 suggestions?
ReplyDeleteA) Yes, I'll RSVP for the potluck if I'm available.
B) No, I think Cindi or whoever could just bring this list to a council meeting and ask these questions or make these suggestions as either part of citizen participation or as for it to be part of the agenda.
We vote two for the eight points
ReplyDeleteI visited with 14 people today from Dayton that do not have the internet and they completely agree with the 8 points.
ReplyDeleteMy original vote idea was just to see how many people thought the 8 points were a good way to start. So far there are over 20 positive votes. Cindi's idea is one of them, which seems to be getting rave reviews as well. If someone would like to present this to the Mayor and Council and Park and Rec board that would be great. How does one present something like this. Any volunteers? Perhaps someone that has used their real name on here? We can then see what will happen on the side of the powers that be and if they are willing to look into these suggestions.
ReplyDeleteWhat if we have been fed lies from the very beginning, would'nt this change a lot of our thinking? I think there is a pattern of deciet from certain individuals trying to cast doubt on the citizens that don't want their taxes to raise. If that is true, the citizens need to take back their town. Lie after lie will not make us want to pay our hard earned money on a few people's enjoyment, especially if was taken on wanton deciet.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see what the Mayor's response is first, giving him the chance to respond before having to bring them to a council meeting. He has received my email regarding these suggestions. Could it be that just his knowledge of the "8 suggestions" will encourage his taking the lead (and the high road)? I believe the Mayor usually has the best interests of the community at heart. I also feel this could be the catalyst to start the healing process. If in fact it is necessary to bring the "8 suggestions" to the council, I am certainly willing to do so but also would the author of the "8 suggestions" be willing to address the council as well?
ReplyDeleteCindy Corson
It would be nice if the Mayor would address these points. I guess that would prove or disprove his loyalty to the citizens of Dayton. If he would accept them and try to implement them, it would be a good thing for Dayton. If they are ignored or "tabled" for further discussion then I guess that would show where he stands. Thanks Cindy for volunteering.
ReplyDeleteSamaddams and Cindy, I authored the 8 points, as I originally said I couldn't sleep thinking about all of the hurt and discontent has happened. I agree with both of you, I wish the Mayor would address these points. If the Mayor will not address these, I would be willing to stand up with Cindy and present these. I just hope no one will throw any eggs or rotten fruit.
ReplyDeleteI know that the hurt and heartache has gone very deep. I know if the Mayor would acknowledge these points and dilegently work towards implementing them, maybe the healing of our communiity can begin. I have heard about the lies and half truths. By doing these 8 points this would end the wonder that many have, not just one group or the other.
Let all just be one Dayton again.
Good to see you back Sam, I always enjoy how you make good sense when you write, keep up the good work.
ReplyDelete"Local governments are supposed to be a voice of reason in today’s era of big government."
ReplyDeleteI was going back and reading some of the old posts and I noted that the first sentence in a letter to the Dayton Observer is very important.
"A voice of reason", let's hear this from our local Mayor and council. Let's move on and fix what has been going on in the past in Dayton and move forward. Thank you.
DaytonTiger: You might as well forget it. There has been no response from the Mayor.
ReplyDeleteEverybody might as well not get their hopes up, our mayor has an ego that won't quit, he wants it his way or the hiway. I've heard that he has said that our city attorney is really good, why would'nt he when everything he wants, he gets an opinion or lie from the city attorney. And why would he let anything between him and his golf course. He has shown us that when he named the parks and rec members. The 8 suggestions will go by the way of everything the mayor doesn't want.
ReplyDeleteI would appreciate hearing from the Mayor no matter what he thinks of them.
ReplyDeleteAt least then, we might see where he stands on the division that has afflicted this town. Since these ideas were brought up by 1 person and seem to be liked by many, I think it would be a great step forward for all.
I agree it would be a step forward. What do you think Mayor?
ReplyDeleteIn resolving conflict using this approach, you follow these rules:
ReplyDeleteMake sure that good relationships are the first priority: As far as possible, make sure that you treat the other calmly and that you try to build mutual respect. Do your best to be courteous to one-another and remain constructive under pressure;
Keep people and problems separate: Recognize that in many cases the other person is not just "being difficult" – real and valid differences can lie behind conflictive positions. By separating the problem from the person, real issues can be debated without damaging working relationships;
Pay attention to the interests that are being presented: By listening carefully you'll most-likely understand why the person is adopting his or her position;
Listen first; talk second: To solve a problem effectively you have to understand where the other person is coming from before defending your own position;
Set out the “Facts”: Agree and establish the objective, observable elements that will have an impact on the decision; and
Explore options together: Be open to the idea that a third position may exist, and that you can get to this idea jointly.
By following these rules, you can often keep contentious discussions positive and constructive. This helps to prevent the antagonism and dislike which so-often causes conflict to spin out of control.
Conflict resolution can be very workable if everyone is willing to work together. So far I have not seen this. For example at a meeting I heard a council person say let's just turn the tables. The mayor said "no".
ReplyDeleteThere has been no response about the 8 points.
If this does not happen then I feel that we have our answer, and the mayor is not willing to work on anything. Does anyone else feel this way. I think it is time that we start discussing the issues again.
He is getting his response from the city attorny, just like he did with the petition. Just don't do anything, call it out of order, don't address those stupid citizens, this is your town mayor. Can't you people read the writing on the wall, he is not going to work with you anything. Our town is divided, because of the mayor.
ReplyDelete