Biographical Information
I’m a graduate of the University of Dayton, a former member of AmeriCorps, a Neighborhood Organizer, a nonprofit board member, and a former Senior Aide to two Mayors of the City of Dayton.
I am running as a dedicated public servant, community advocate, and policy leader committed to building a stronger, more equitable Dayton. A lifelong resident of the city, I have spent my career working to uplift communities, improve public policy, and foster meaningful change for Dayton’s families.
Community engagement and community input is critical to being an engaged elected official. I plan on being a responsive leader who will actively solicit input from community leaders, organizations, and groups. Active involvement is more than just civic association meetings, it means showing up to them but also expanding who we are listening to. Being present and visible around Dayton will help me achieve the goal of connecting with constituents regarding decision making as City Commissioner.
I am committed to building a more equitable, thriving, and safe Dayton by addressing the root causes of community challenges and creating opportunities for all residents. A huge portion of that is holding vacant property owners accountable, increasing affordable housing, and expanding homeownership opportunities through down payment assistance and financial education. We also need to expand our violence interruption program, implement community policing, and launch a neighborhood beautification initiative to foster pride and economic growth.
This issue, at its core, is one of the critical environmental issues facing our city. I will support policies that will reduce any pollutants in the water and penalize anyone who enables pollution, and work with the administration to enforce this. I’m proud to have the endorsement of the Ohio Environmental Council, and I will push for accessible, safe, and dependable water for our residents.
My skillset as a chair of a community non-profit, a policy analyst, an organizer, and as a young person will help lead this city forward. I believe I offer a fresh, new perspective to the city commission, while having the experience to lead this city on Day 1.
Biographical Information
Jacob Davis is a proud Daytonian, an attorney, and a dedicated advocate for working families. He was raised in a blue-collar household as his mom is a UAW member. Jacob is a first generation college graduate and University of Dayton alum. He represents workers, tenants, consumers, families, small businesses, and nonprofits in his law practice.
I am running for Dayton City Commission to shake things up and bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to City Hall. I believe that strong neighborhoods, good-paying jobs, and a government that works for the people is fundamental to improving our city.
We need leaders with a vision and a plan. We also need leaders who will hold the City Manager accountable when our priorities are not met. I am that candidate.
My platform includes eleven key priorities. My number one priority is investing our time and resources into people and small businesses and revitalizing our neighborhoods.
I will launch "Coffee with a Commissioner" once a week to meet and hear from constituents. This will have the effect of supporting a local business and providing residents an opportunity to meet with me and discuss key issues.
I will also host regular town halls to discuss and debate important issues at the federal, state, and local level. This will provide the opportunity for a larger community gathering with Q/A so that all in our community are informed about events, issues, and policies.
My goal is to have a more transparent government that works for everyone in the city of Dayton.
First, I want to adopt a 15-minute city concept. This plan will guide all zoning and land use policies in Dayton. Under this plan, all residents must be within a 15-minute walk or bike ride of a grocery store, park or recreation center, health services, and other important amenities.
Second, I want to create a new trash and litter removal division. This will be supported by City staff and modeled after the DDP Ambassador program. Staff will be responsible for assisting daily with litter pickup in our neighborhoods.
Finally, I want to make it easier to build alternative forms of housing.
One of the greatest responsibilities of the City Commission is to ensure that residents have a safe and dependable water system.
The City Commission must prioritize ongoing water quality monitoring and testing, infrastructure upgrades, and take proactive measures to address emerging contaminants. The City of Dayton should also collaborate with regulatory agencies and seek funding for necessary projects.
Finally, the City Commission should always strive to be transparent regarding potential issues with the water system to avoid issues that have plagued other communities.
I bring a unique skillset and experience to the Dayton City Commission. As an attorney and small business owner in the city of Dayton, I am different from the other candidates.
I am an analytical thinker, a researcher, and have experience drafting legal documents, regulations, and public policies. I also have experience negotiating complex resolutions and mediating difficult disputes. In my firm, I chair our litigation practice and oversee our externship program. Finally, I am a relationship and community-builder having previously worked for the HRC.
I am diligent, reliable, and thorough.
Biographical Information
Master of Arts in Public Administration, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio December 1980 (GPA 3.5) Bachelor of Arts in Urban Affairs, Wright State University; Associate of Applied Science in Legal Assisting
The main concern is the conditions of our neighborhoods. The major issue is the number of dilapidated, boarded-up houses and demolished piles throughout our city. Good housing stock enhances our community, attracts people who want to work and live in Dayton. Blighted houses cause eyesores and pose health and safety issues. As your City Commissioner, I would make stabilizing our neighborhoods our number one priority. The City Commission needs to make sure the funds and commitment are focused on these issues, and at the same time, create affordable housing and redevelopment for homeownership
During my campaign, I have conducted a listening tour. Listening to residents' concerns when attending numerous neighborhood meetings. Several issues have been discussed. Not only are there concerns about the housing conditions, but also a lack of youth activities, and the conditions of our streets and sidewalks. As your City Commissioner, I will attend neighborhood meetings and have an open door policy to make myself available to address residents' concerns. Those constituent concerns will be included in the decision-making processes, the designation of funding, and creation of policies.
Major development is continuing to revitalize downtown Dayton. As a result, millions of dollars are being invested in Downtown. The city needs to commit the same development investment and efforts to revitalize Dayton neighborhoods. As City Commissioners, it is our responsibility to make decisions on the City's budget that have an impact on the development. As your Commissioner, I will make sure that the impact is equally widespread and is inclusive of all of Dayton. There are several ways to get our housing stock back on track, but it requires new leadership to implement those plans.
Our protection of our water supply needs to remain our top priority for Dayton. The great Miami aquifer supplies water to millions of people and includes 13 counties. The watershed can be contaminated by all sorts of sources, including improper release of industrial waste and forever chemicals from runoff from Wright-Patt and Dayton's Airports. The City of Dayton needs to address contaminants from various sources. Making sure the necessary steps are taken to ensure that our water supply is safe from pollutants and prevent pollutants from affecting the health of our families.
With my extensive work experience in public services, I am prepared to meet the tasks at hand as your City Commissioner. My 31 years of experience working for the County and the City of Dayton. County and City Commissioners have consulted my expertise on various issues, including fiscal and budgetary matters. Working with the City departments helped address the needs of the neighborhoods, small businesses, and concerns of Dayton residents. When I envision a city, I think of a community that works together to have a safe and stable environment to raise our families.
Biographical Information
Dayton leader, 30 years of experience *City Commissioner – two terms * Manager of Chaplain Services, Dayton Children's Hospital * Grew up in Belmont; now live in the Dayton View Triangle * Attended Dunbar; graduated from Belmont * Graduate of United Theological Seminary & U. of Cincinnati * Husband & Father * Hand-cyclist
I am running because I have served well in my first two terms. Here are some of the important accomplishments - the adoption of a vision plan for our neighborhoods and one for housing, securing funding for housing and youth programing, and protecting our water infrastructure. I believe the next 4 years will bring significant challenges that will require my critical thinking skills, understanding of our residents and businesses needs, and work for transparency & accountability. I want to be part of a team that has vision, leadership and concrete ideas. And, I love Dayton.
I will continue to do what I have done in my first two terms - I will be in the community - attending community events and neighborhood meetings, hosting community forums, meeting with constituents, and being responsive to residents and their concerns.
I will continue to advocate for resident participation in the budgeting process. I will work to strength the opportunities residents have to participate in decisions that impact their lives including - transforming the Neighborhood President's Forum, and increasing the role of residents on our various boards and committees.
I will continue to build on the accomplishments from my first two terms. When I first ran for city commission, no one was advocating for our neighborhoods. We did not have a plan for our neighborhoods - now we do. Likewise, we didn't have a plan or strategy for housing - now we do. We are removing over 1000 dilapidated houses. Still, there is work to be done.
Beyond removing blight, we need to enhance each of our neighborhoods. Most importantly, we need to encourage the re-weaving of relationships that create community and vibrancy.
In my first term, I led our effort to make it more difficult to sell our water system to a private entity. We changed the city's charter so that now it requires a vote of the citizens to sell the city's water system. Prior to this change, it could have been done in a single meeting without any notice.
We must provide adequate resources. Credit to previous leaders and our current water department leaders and front line staff: we have reliable, safe, high quality water; outstanding maintenance, and strategic innovation. I will strongly protect this asset. It truly is one of our gems.
I have a proven track record of leadership and accomplishments. I have experience - over 30 years of leadership in Dayton and 7 years on the Dayton City Commission. I have strong interpersonal skills. I am known as a bridge builder. I am disciplined, have a strong work ethic, and have a quick, analytic intellect. I work to put my values into action and I am known for being tenacious. I strive to be fair, treat all people with respect, and to work for justice. I have a deep love and passion for Dayton. I want Dayton to be a better place because of my service.
Biographical Information
Karen Wick is a proven public servant, problem solver, and business leader who is running for Dayton City Commission to turn big ideas into real results. She has owned and operated Coco's Bistro for the last 28 years and is in her second term on the Dayton Public Schools Board of Education.
I am a proven public servant, problem solver, and business leader who is running to turn big ideas into real results. Dayton is positioned for amazing growth and opportunity that can benefit all of our residents and we can’t afford to let that opportunity pass us by. It’s time for a new perspective to lead our city and deliver on important issues – whether making housing more affordable or strengthening small businesses – by working together to solve problems and serve our residents.
Communication and collaboration are key to addressing our city’s challenges. I believe in relationship building and lifting others up who work to improve our community. I will be accessible to city residents and seek community input while considering policies. I will regularly attend neighborhood and civic organizations meetings, to stay in touch with what is happening all across the city and address residents’ concerns.
I will support policies that lower housing costs and increase the removal of vacant structures to stabilize our neighborhoods. I will also support increased funding for public safety as well as road and sidewalk paving, and park improvements. Outside of providing basic services, I don’t believe there is a one-size-fits-all solution to all of our neighborhoods, so I will work with neighborhood residents and leaders to address each neighborhood's needs.
We are incredibly lucky that our city sits on such a valuable resource, our aquifer. The city’s water system provides clean drinking water to a number of communities outside of Dayton, and it’s also a widely recognized recreational asset for many people across the region. The city works diligently to protect our water resource, and I will support these efforts to keep pollutants out of our water, and sanction those who contaminated our water source. I’m proud to have the endorsement of the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund.
I moved to Dayton when I was 18 years old to take a job at Reynolds & Reynolds until I retired to have my 2 children. Shortly after my first child, Coco, was born, I opened Coco’s Bistro. Coco’s started out at a 45-person capacity, and today, 28 years later, we are now at a 250-person capacity. I’m proud to operate a place that brings people together in community over food. I've served on the Dayton school board for the last 7 years. I am proud of leading the effort to renovate Welcome Stadium so that it can be an economic engine for our community while honoring its historic legacy.
