Member Center

Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion (Skip to blog navigation.)

NPR comes to Dayton

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, Montgomery County’s Job Center made NPR’s “All Things Considered” program.

In his 7-minute segment, Noah Adams talks to several people who’ve turned to the Job Center for training, GED classes or help searching for a new job after being laid off.

Continue reading "NPR comes to Dayton"...

Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment More: Living in Dayton

Latinos and the future of electoral politics

The election of the first African-American president naturally has led to much discussion about the nation’s troubled racial legacy and the impact of its longstanding black-white divide. Rightfully so. Black voters went for Obama by an astounding 95 percent, one of the key factors in helping him turn states like Indiana and North Carolina blue on the electoral map.

But the other racial subtext to this election that hasn’t seen as much discussion is the embrace of Obama by Latino voters, and their corresponding rejection of the GOP. In states like Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado, Latino support was as much a key to the blue hue they showed on election night maps.

Already the nature of the Obama-Latino alliance is the subject of speculation. Can it last? Will Obama make good on his promises to the Latino community?

Continue reading "Latinos and the future of electoral politics"...

Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment More: National politics

Cabinet appointment coffee talk

John Kerry for secretary of state? Howard Dean for secretary of health and human services? Paul Volker for treasury secretary? Those are some of the names being floated for cabinet positions in the upcoming Obama administration. It’s about all anyone can talk about when it comes to national politics right now.

One unexpected name being whispered for an unexpected job is Colin Powell for secretary of education. But is this a good idea?

Over at the DDN’s Get on the Bus education blog, I take a shot at answering that question.

Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment More: Education

Close county races mired in uncertainty

Here’s where the Montgomery County results stand. All early votes and machine votes have been counted and some of the paper ballots filled out on election day are included in the current numbers.

But about 40,000 paper ballots remain to be counted, and they all must be handled by hand. The board of elections hopes to have final results early this afternoon.

This leaves several local races in limbo. While most of the candidates who were leading last night appear to be relatively safe, it’s hard to know for sure because we don’t know what percentage of the vote in each race is in and we don’t know where those outstanding paper ballots are from.

But a few races are clearly in play that did not appear to be so last night while one or two that looked close may not prove to be so. Among the races to watch:

Sheriff: This was a close race last night, but Sheriff Phil Plummer has 59 percent of the vote now. A reversal is not out of the question, but seems like a long shot.

Recorder: Recorder Willis Blackshear had a big lead last night but it has evaporated. He now has just 52 percent of the vote counted, making this race a toss up.

Common Pleas Court Judge: Judge Frances McGee had a big lead last night but this race is now a virtual tie with McGee at 50.4 percent and Dennis Adkins at 49.6 percent. This will be a nail biter.

Dayton school levy: The yes vote has held at about 57 percent, which looks likely to hold up but it is not out of the woods yet.

Jefferson Twp. school levy: Hold on to your seats — just 14 votes separate the yes and no in this crucial race for a fiscally troubled district. The issue currently leads with 50.25 percent voting yes.

Brookville school levy: This one is still pretty close with 54 percent voting yes.

Centerville school levy: This levy may be headed for a narrow defeat, with 52 percent voting no in the current numbers. But it is close enough that things could change.

Trotwood school levy A defeat may be in the offing here with 56 percent voting no.

Vandalia school levy: It looks like this levy will pass as 62 percent voted yes in the reported numbers.

Huber Heights school levy With 52 percent voting yes, the issue is holding on but still in danger.

Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment More: Elections

We’re calling it a night

It looks like it will be early hours of the morning before there are going to be any more Montgomery County results. So we are calling it a night. Check back at DDN.com in the morning for updates.

Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment More: Elections

Dems start celebrating local races early

There hasn’t been an update on local races from the Montgomery County Board of Elections in more two hours, which is pretty unusual. But the Democrats pressed on with a short program, recognizing several candidates who are leading in their races. They sounded pretty confident these folks were going to win.

Here’s a bit of what each candidate had to say:

Judy Dodge, city commission: “We did this together.”

Greg Brusch, clerk of courts: “Thanks for everybody who corrected somebody who called me ‘Busch.’”

Willis Blackshear, recorder: “All of you who contributed to our campaigns made this happen.”

Carolyn Rice, treasurer: “I am thrilled and honored to be part of this historic night tonight.”

Clayton Luckie, state representative: “This has been a great night for me and for the United States. People say things can’t happen. Things can happen. It did happen.”

Roland Winburn, state representative: “I guess God is not finished with me yet. He has given me this opportunity to continue on in the statehouse.”

Judge Frances McGee: “Thank you, Democratic Party. You stood by me.”

Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment More: Elections

McCain is conceding on television

Sen. John McCain’s assertion that he understands this election is special to African-Americans is met by grumbling here at Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters. Some felt McCain’s campaign included race-baiting tactics.

Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment More: Elections

Back to top

More entries...

Have fun

An Excuse to Celebrate

OSU vs. Michigan Day

OSU sports fans

This isn't an official holiday yet, but it sure feels like one. Whichever team you cheer for, celebrate one of the best rivalries in sports today at noon. Top 5 sports bars »

Best of Dayton

You Decide What's the Best

Best Barbecue Restaurant [poll]

Best Dayton Ohio Barbecue Restaurant

Here's where you get to tell the world what you think. Every week you get to vote on the best that the Dayton area has to offer in entertainment, restaurants, recreation & and a few other bizarro categories.

Voting in this category ends on Nov. 24.

We have REVISED our official rules »

Things to Do

Find Local Events

Wanna be a Rollergirl? You may get your chance Sunday [things to do]

Rollergirls

The Gem City Rollergirls are looking for a few good women to join their team. Basic skating ability and the willingness to learn one of the fastest-growing sports for women in the nation is all that's required. Check out an open practice and workshop for women ages 18 and older this Sunday, Nov. 23, at Kettering's Skateworld. If nothing else, maybe you can get in a good workout to offset some of those Thanksgiving Day calories. More »

Search Events

Find Local Events

Find Showtimes

Find Movie Times

Restaurants

Find Restaurants

Food & More

Local Dining

Amelia's Bistro, Bellbrook, restaurant review [review]

Call it comfort food, gourmet style. From crab raviolis with vanilla lobster sauce, to a hand-cut and brined pork chop served with a fig jam, to a simply "Big-Ass Cake" that's a chocolate lover's dream, Amelia's has the potential to become a destination restaurant — worth the drive to Bellbrook. More »