I have enabled the commenting feature again. Please note that any out-of-bounds comments will be deleted.
I also wanted to say that I think things were starting to improve last week or at least were improving up until the city attorney's letter was printed. I think it is important to remember that the current debate is about the golf course, and there seemed to be support from a lot of people in adopting the eight suggestions. I think the eight suggestions would help bring financial transparency to the golf course so everyone would know how the course is doing and what to expect in the coming years if the city continues to own it.
I'm glad the blog is open again. Let's all try to keep it on the issues and let's keep the nasty negative remarks alone. That is not getting us any closer to healing this rift. Let's just talk about the issues.
ReplyDeleteMayor Travis:
ReplyDeleteI am not above begging at this point..........please review the "8 suggestions" and address them via whatever medium you choose....council meeting, newspaper, letter to the citizens. There desperately needs to be resolution and peace within the community. I respect the office that you hold but feel at this time that you are the one person that needs to respond appropriately to this situation. In my opinion it would not matter whether or not all the suggestions were addressed right away but I do believe that a good faith effort needs to happen immediately.
Sorry, last comment is by
ReplyDeleteCindy Corson
1)A well written reasonable and attainable business plan by the park and rec board.
ReplyDelete2) 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
I copied and pasted the 8 suggestions to this posting area.
Thank you Cindy, I agree.
I agree as well. I sat back the other night and watched as the progress that was being made was wiped out. This was due I think because of the letter to the paper by our City Attorney. I believe it is high time we found another attorney to represent Dayton. I think the Mayor should immediately address the 8 points and if he doesn't, it will speak volumes about his leadership ability and where he stands in regards to the taxpayers of this town. You know a lot of people on this blog, no matter what stance they have taken in regards to the golf course were finally coming together and agreeing on a starting point of reconciliation. Then the last letter pretty much screwed it up. An audit of the golf course would be good for everyone, whether you think the city should own the course or not. It would be nice for all to see where it stands, good or bad. Also it would lay to rest any questions regarding it's operation and the financial decisions being made.
ReplyDeleteThere seemed to be some movement, people were communicating and trying to work on solutions, then atomic bomb was dropped by the city attorney. He had been reading the blog, because he mentioned several words that had been used, I don't know if he was trying to sabatoge what work had been done. I think Samadamslite is right, he has to go. I think Dayton has some good citizens that can pull together to heal our wounds. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe air in town has gotten pretty csustic lately, I don't think a little Fabreze will work. It is going take a good old fashioned bleach water and scrub and the 8 suggestions. Mayor, get out and do something, or is your attorney still telling you how to handle city business. This situation will not heal itself.
ReplyDeleteI meant caustic, sorry.
ReplyDeleteExcerpt from letter I sent to Mr. Glen Schrieber, Dayton Review.
ReplyDelete"............ I was saddened when I read the Dayton Review this week. The long article about Mr. Benson, in my humble opinion, was not newsworthy enough to warrant a 3 page spread. This situation has been hashed over, rehashed over and over again. I would certainly ask all the “powers that be”, to work together to resolve this situation that is truly dividing our community. I still believe Mr. Benson should consider resigning if he wants what is in the best interests of the community. Do I believe him to be a terrible person, no, but his remaining on the council is doing nothing but to prolong the pain and agony of a community who cannot get back to business as usual. Perhaps that will never be but I believe it is up to the Mayor at this point to ‘take the high road’ and show that he is a man of integrity that can look past everything in the past and move the community forward. I absolutely know that I do not know everything that has happened to everyone in the past several months but, also believe there is enough blame to go around………….all council members, community members, and City Attorney need to claim their part. Allegations and innuendos……are hurtful to say the least. I’m sure you are aware of the Dayton Observer blogsite. The “8 suggestions” mentioned there, I believe could be a starting point. Do I believe all of the suggestions should or even could be implemented, I don’t know but I strongly agree that because there has not been a wealth of information forthcoming from the Park and Rec board nor the Mayor on some of these points that people could begin to perceive they are covering something up………I believe that all people are asking for is open communication regarding this topic. Could you print these “8 suggestions” in your next edition of the Dayton Review? Could the Mayor address some of them at the same time?"
I have not had a response from the Mayor nor Mr. Schrieber so I hope they are still pondering it. Seems things have gone from bad to worse and at this point I feel it doesn't do any good to lay blame.........it just needs to be fixed.
Cindy Corson
A Team of Rivals
ReplyDelete1. Edwin M. Stanton
Stanton treated Lincoln with utter contempt at their initial acquaintance when the two men were involved in a celebrated law case in the summer of 1855. Unimaginable as it might seem after Stanton's demeaning behavior, Lincoln offered him "the most powerful civilian post within his gift"--the post of secretary of war--at their next encounter six years later. On his first day in office as Simon Cameron's replacement, the energetic, hardworking Stanton instituted "an entirely new regime" in the War Department. After nearly a year of disappointment with Cameron, Lincoln had found in Stanton the leader the War Department desperately needed. Lincoln's choice of Stanton revealed his singular ability to transcend personal vendetta, humiliation, or bitterness. As for Stanton, despite his initial contempt for the man he once described as a "long armed Ape," he not only accepted the offer but came to respect and love Lincoln more than any person outside of his immediate family. He was beside himself with grief for weeks after the president's death.
2. Salmon P. Chase
Chase, an Ohioan, had been both senator and governor, had played a central role in the formation of the national Republican Party, and had shown an unflagging commitment to the cause of the black man. No individual felt he deserved the presidency as a natural result of his past contributions more than Chase himself, but he refused to engage in the practical methods by which nominations are won. He had virtually no campaign and he failed to conciliate his many enemies in Ohio itself. As a result, he alone among the candidates came to the convention without the united support of his own state. Chase never ceased to underestimate Lincoln, nor to resent the fact that he had lost the presidency to a man he considered his inferior. His frustration with his position as secretary of the treasury was alleviated only by his his dogged hope that he, rather than Lincoln, would be the Republican nominee in 1864, and he steadfastly worked to that end. The president put up with Chase's machinations and haughty yet fundamentally insecure nature because he recognized his superlative accomplishments at treasury. Eventually, however, Chase threatened to split the Republican Party by continuing to fill key positions with partisans who supported his presidential hopes. When Lincoln stepped in, Chase tendered his resignation as he had three times before, but this time Lincoln stunned Chase by calling his bluff and accepting the offer.
3. Abraham Lincoln
When Lincoln won the Republican presidential nomination in 1860 he seemed to have come from nowhere--a backwoods lawyer who had served one undistinguished term in the House of Representatives and lost two consecutive contests for the U.S. Senate. Contemporaries attributed his surprising nomination to chance, to his moderate position on slavery, and to the fact that he hailed from the battleground state of Illinois. But Lincoln's triumph, particularly when viewed against the efforts of his rivals, owed much to a remarkable, unsuspected political acuity and an emotional strength forged in the crucible of hardship and defeat. That Lincoln, after winning the presidency, made the unprecedented decision to incorporate his eminent rivals into his political family, the cabinet, was evidence of an uncanny self-confidence and an indication of what would prove to others a most unexpected greatness.
Please understand I am going to have to post in three postings because the Html cannot be more that 4096 characters. So my one post will be in three
4. William H. Seward
ReplyDeleteA celebrated senator from New York for more than a decade and governor of his state for two terms before going to Washington, Seward was certain he was going to receive his party's nomination for president in 1860. The weekend before the convention in Chicago opened he had already composed a first draft of the valedictory speech he expected to make to the Senate, assuming that he would resign his position as soon as the decision in Chicago was made. His mortification at not having received the nomination never fully abated, and when he was offered his cabinet post as secretary of state he intended to have a major role in choosing the remaining cabinet members, conferring upon himself a position in the new government more commanding than that of Lincoln himself. He quickly realized the futility of his plan to relegate the president to a figurehead role. Though the feisty New Yorker would continue to debate numerous issues with Lincoln in the years ahead, exactly as Lincoln had hoped and needed him to do, Seward would become his closest friend, advisor, and ally in the administration. More than any other cabinet member Seward appreciated Lincoln's peerless skill in balancing factions both within his administration and in the country at large.
5. Edward Bates
A widely respected elder statesman, a delegate to the convention that framed the Missouri Constitution, and a former Missouri congressman whose opinions on national matters were still widely sought, Bates's ambitions for political success were gradually displaced by love for his wife and large family, and he withdrew from public life in the late 1840s. For the next 20 years he was asked repeatedly to run or once again accept high government posts but he consistently declined. However in early 1860, with letters and newspaper editorials advocating his candidacy crowding in upon him, he decided to try for the highest office in the land. After losing to Lincoln he vowed, in his diary, to decline a cabinet position if one were to be offered, but with the country "in trouble and danger" he felt it was his duty to accept when Lincoln asked him to be attorney general. Though Bates initially viewed Lincoln as a well-meaning but incompetent administrator, he eventually concluded that the president was an unmatched leader, "very near being a 'perfect man.'"
The above excerpts are taken from a book about President Lincoln's leadership style.
I know this is a very long post. In my years of experience in management I have read about many management styles. The one I found that worked the best was a group or team that I once worked with. That team was comprised of several people who I would not have hand picked. This group was comprised of several people who at one point would have been considered a thorn in my side. But as time went on and we worked together and listened to each other a very noteworthy thing happened. We saw each other's weak areas and strong areas. We in my opinion accomplished the most of any group of individuals I have ever worked with. If I would have went with my first instinct and replaced these people I am sure that my animosity for them and their animosity towards me would have only mushroomed and caused more problems.
ReplyDeleteIt was not until the other evening someone mentioned to me about Lincoln's leadership style, that I realized that is the style that I had followed and did end up with the best management team possible. I would like to thank the person who mentioned this to me.
I feel that our council could come together with all of the members that it currently has as long as open and honest communication is initiated. The mayor and all of the council would need to be willing to give some. Most of all they need to listen to each other and with and open mind make decisions.
Cindy I agree with your letter to the editor. It fits exactly what I feel with the exception of changes in the council members. At this point the Mayor needs to be open and honest and so do the council members. I think that with a little work this current council could possibly be the best there is.
Thanks to everyone for putting up with this extremely long post. I also want to thank everyone for their positive postings and solutions to our community’s problems. By working together we can become whole again. I do not believe the anger has helped any of us. Let's turn this anger into a positive team.
Thank you
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing your letter. I hope that both gentleman you addressed are considering your letter. I hope that we together can work this out.
To everyone I hope you forgive me for the above three postings as I know they are very long but I feel we can learn from history.
LOVE the Lincoln posts. I've been reading a lot of Lincoln lately and agree with his leadership style. Thank you for an intelligent/thoughtful post. Nice to have something to think about on a rainy Saturday. kendra
ReplyDeleteI think our Mayor and city council should take a lesson from Lincoln and correct the problems in town. They should start by getting rid of the attorney who has stirred up more problems than we had before. Then everybody needs to get along. We could get along if the 8 points were followed.
ReplyDeleteI think we can work things out if and I mean if, we are honest, and I don't mean hidden agendas. If we are open minded, and I think we must be clear to ourselves that this what we are working for. I think this is the way it must be from the mayor on down. I believe the lawyer needs to go now. And I think NOW. Healing has to start NOW. No more back stabbing, no more shifting the blame. Honesty and openness about the golf course. Maybe, just maybe this town can heal.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.efa.org.au/Campaigns/lobby.html#email
ReplyDeletehttp://www.techdirt.com/articles/20080626/1824551529.shtml
I think the 8 suggestions are a wonderful positive idea! Let me say that first.
I see a lot of posts directed to the mayor or asking "why isn't the mayor addressing the 8 suggestions." Often when reading these posts I come to the conclusion that some people may feel they have effectivly communicated with the mayor and/or city hall by posting on this blog. There may be some hard feelings simply due to a failure to come to a common understanding on how to communicate with one and other.
I would not find it appropriate for the mayor or city council to respond officially to any blog that wasn't set up by the City of Dayton on the city's website with certain ground rules established. Since the city doesn't have the $$$ for a big Info/Tech dept., that's not going to happen...at this time, maybe the future.
I posted a website that reviews effective ways to communicate with city leaders. Granted - it's from Australia. However, the same basic principles can be applied to this situation.
I also posted a site where elected officials have use technology to communicate with voters; such as Twitter, Facebook and virtual town hall meetings. There are ground rules different than this form of blog and, like I said...I don't think the city is there yet.
I think improvement in communication could go a long way in resolving hard feelings in this debate.
Town hall meetings are different than city council meetings. Do we blur the two together?
ReplyDeleteMaybe a town hall meeting with ground rules could be a positive step toward the future.
I have communicated with the Mayor via email and he has told me personally (in person) that he received it....I would not expect the Mayor to respond via the blogsite as I believe his response could be taken out of context and cause other concerns. I do know that at this time he is working on responding to the '8 suggestions'. I don't know in what format his response will be but I do believe a response will be forthcoming in some way, again not expecting it to be here.
ReplyDeleteCindy Corson
You are a good egg Cindy!
ReplyDeleteThis is a good example of what I was trying to say; you found an effective way to communicate directly with the Mayor, he acknowledged receiving your communication, and you are anticipating a response.
Your reasonings you do not expect the Mayor to respond to the blog is also one of many of mine.
Enjoy your Sunday all.
Daytontaxpayer:
ReplyDeleteA town hall meeting/council meeting are different. I think maybe they could be blurred together. There would have to be ground rules. I don't know how it would work with all the rules about council meetings and what is considered a meeting when the whole council is together.
I know that Cindy has contacted the mayor and I along with others are interested in his response. I posted the Lincoln post because it is an educational post. Words for thought.
I feel the blog is a great way for those of us wanting to come to a solution to visit and just throw out our ideas for review.
I think it would be terrific if someday the city could have the ability to use twitter, facebook, or have a virtual town meeting. That would be terrific someday, I'm sure with the improvements in technology that this will be a necessity in the future.
I do agree with a town meeting maybe a good idea. There would need to be ground rules as some of the council meetings and comments have been quite negative and I would not say community building or healing.
I read your sites you recommended for communication with elected officials and they should work as well here as in Australia.
I have read where some cities have set up blogs similar to this one but ran by the city, kind of like a virtual suggestion box. It does need to be monitored for tasteless comments to be removed. I was happy to see that this was also done on this blog.
But like I said some of the council meetings have gotten way out of hand with comments. That's just my opinion.
Again, I am happy that at least we are all communicating in some way.
Personnally, I would like the Mayor to respond on this blog. Nothing official, but just give his opinions to the suggestions and what direction could be followed to implement some or all of them and any reasons why not. There may be legal issues to look at in dismissing the attorney if he is under contract. I am not saying that the Mayor will or will not request a change of attorneys, just that if he has a contract for a certain time limit then that is that. For him just to aknowledge them here would not be taken out of context at all. Quite the contrary. If he were to post it would be here for all to read. Many people read this that don't get the paper or cannot make it to meetings. I personnally don't get the local paper. I am out of town frequently and do very little reading. I would not expect any promises from him, just his opinion on them. I do think a townhall style meeting would be great too. But for those of us who cannot make these meetings we have only word of mouth and or this blog to get info.
ReplyDeleteSamaddamslite: I do not believe that the attorney is under contract I know that it was discussed at several meetings I have been to. If I understand correctly I think that could be completed by a vote of the council. If I am incorrect, I apologize but that is what I gleemed from the conversations at the meetings. I do agree that many people read this that don't post or do so anonymously. That is o.k. I do think that the attorney has read the blog because I was given a Dayton Review with the latest article and there were 3 or 4 uses of words that were used on some of the posts that have been on here.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that the Mayor could post to the blog along with any other way that he would choose.
This blog has been educational to me. I also feel it has brought us closer to a healing process. There have been some positive posting. Sure there have been several negative postings, but they have been removed by the Dayton Observer, I want the thank this person for that.
I have respect for this blog. I do post to several other blogs regarding politics. I like the fact that posting are watched for negativity and inappropriate commenting. This does not always happen on other blogs or on postings to newpaper articles even when they are reported and I believe we things should be monitored.
I hope everyone is having a nice Sunday, cold, then hot and all this humidity. I hope it doesn't blow up a storm.
Oops: I am posting a correction to my last sentence in my post of 2:37pm.
ReplyDeleteThis does not always happen on other blogs or on postings to newpaper articles, even when they are reported as unacceptable. I beleive we should be monitored.
Also please forgive my spelling of believe.
ReplyDeleteSuggestion 1. Instead of getting rid of the City Attorney as people are saying, why are we not looking at getting rid of councilman Benson, and Councilman Vegors especially if you want the negativity gone? Or Suggestion 2. why notget rid of all 3 of them and clean the slate?
ReplyDeleteDid anyone read the MEssenger editorial today on blogging on the Messenger web site? Very interesting--and relevant I think.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should stop talking about city politics and watch the Tony Awards? Seriously--can't musical theatre heal us all???
kendra
Kendra
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information on the Fort Dodge Messenger Opinion/local editorial regarding blogging. It is interesting and relevant. It is a good read for those that are going to post to any blog or after any article. I appreciate the positive posts.
P.S. I was watching the Tony Awards and the weather reports at the bottom. Good show tonight.
To the anonymous author of the "8 suggestions":
ReplyDeleteI received a call from the Editor of the Dayton Review today. He would love to print the "8 suggestions" but he has a policy not to print anonymously submitted material. Because the "8 suggestions" have received positive feedback, would the author be willing to come forward and submit it for publication?
Thank you,
Cindy Corson
I would like to nominate Dayton Observer for parade marshall for Labor Day parade.
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteI read your post last evening and have been thinking about my answer. I understand the editor of the Dayton Reveiws policy for not printing things anonymously. I also understand that is also the Fort Dodge Messenger's stance also.
I at this time still do not feel comfortable with divulging my name. I do have several reason's that I won't go into at this time. If someone else would like to use parts of the "8 suggestions", or print them without my name then, they would have my permission.
At this time I would also like to thank you for all that you have done to help solve this division in our community. I feel that I am very bipartisian, but many may not view me in that light. I feel that those that know me very well would agree and know my true beliefs are my own and not influenced by others.