When we see examples of democracy under violent attack on a national and global level it is easy to believe that we are safe here in Dayton, OH. In fact, we might even believe that our city officials are fighting the good fight on our behalf as they call to task the gerrymandering that suppresses voters throughout the country. But take a closer look! You will see that the same people crying foul are posed to vote for a resolution that mirrors the very same suppression that they claim to be against.

When Commissioner Fairchild was elected in 2018, city officials codified a new procedure stating that at least two commissioners would have to support any ordinance or legislation at minimum. This new procedure ensured that the new commissioner who just beat the endorsed candidate would have none of the voice that the community just elected him to have. Fast forward three years and the community once again spoke loud and clear by electing not one, but two non-endorsed candidates in Shenise Turner-Sloss and Darryl Fairchild (re-elected) in a historic, unprecedented election. The city commission is responding by moving the goalposts once again. Since illegal, racist attack ads weren’t enough to suppress community voice they are introducing new legislation, being voted on this Wednesday (March 2, 2022), attempting to increase the requirements from two commissioners to a minimum of three for any legislation to be considered and drafted, ensuring once again that those the community voted to speak for them have no voice.

Links to relevant material below  

Link to Commission Agenda 2/23/2022: https://www.daytonohio.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02232022-981

Resolution is on pages 207-208.

Relevant language changes are on pages 211-212 under the section ‘Development of Legislation’ (2nd paragraph): “This will be accomplished by informal notification of other Members by the Director/Clerk or designee of the legislation being considered in order to determine that two other members are inclined to support the legislation.”

Link to Commission Agenda 5/9/2018:

https://www.daytonohio.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05092018-529

Resolution on page 165.

The relevant original language on pages 168-169 under section ‘Development of Legislation’ (2nd paragraph): “This should be accomplished by informal polling of other Members to indicate that another member is inclined to support the legislation, a sponsor and a co-sponsor.”