A brighter future for Dayton is a more collaborative one, according to ideas brainstormed by about 20 people at the first of Your Voice Ohio’s local forums this week.
Attendees at the Dayton Metro Library downtown answered a series of questions to identify ideas they thought would help people in the region lead happier and more fulfilled lives.
Some of the ideas discussed:
• a more regional approach to government including county-wide schools.
• more engaged neighborhoods with consistent leadership, active public spaces and civic responsibility for all.
• changing taxes so that large entities that own a lot of property pay into the tax base.
• more equity across parts of the city.
• more media focus on local issues and a new model of funding media as a public trust.
Your Voice Ohio is a collaboration of media organizations across Ohio engaging with the public to create solutions driven journalism. This round of community conversations is intended to start conversations about community needs ahead of the November elections.
“That way as we as questions (of candidates), those questions come from what we know about you,” said Doug Oplinger, project manager for Your Voice Ohio.
Matt Ouren, 22 of Miamisburg, recently moved to the area and said he was impressed by how much people care about the future of the community here.
“It’s really exciting,” he said. “I learned a lot about the community and challenges people face.”
There are several more opportunities this week to participate in a local forum. The remaining free events are:
Kettering: Tuesday October 1, Kettering-Moraine Public Library, 6-8 p.m.
Trotwood: Wednesday, October 2, Trotwood Community & Cultural Arts Center, 6-8 p.m.
Dayton: Thursday October 3, White House Event Center (ground floor of the Jefferson Place Apartment building, 101 E. 2nd St.), 6-8 p.m.
Lebanon: Sunday, October 6, Countryside YMCA, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Springboro: Monday, October 7, YMCA of Greater Dayton – Coffman Family Branch, 6-8 p.m.
Visit YourVoiceOhio.org for more information.
