Each Dayton voter will get to pick two candidates in the runoff election. The four candidates with the most votes will appear on the November ballot, where they will compete for two open seats.
A town hall candidate forum hosted on Monday night by the Dayton Branch NAACP featured the five hopefuls.
Incumbent Commissioner Darryl Fairchild wants to hold onto his seat, but he faces competition from Darius Beckham, Karen Wick, Jacob Davis and Valerie Duncan.
The city commission will have at least one new face next year — possibly two, if Fairchild were to lose. That’s because city Commissioner Shenise Turner-Sloss has decided not to seek reelection and instead is running for mayor against incumbent Jeffrey Mims Jr.
The candidates
Fairchild is the manager of chaplain services at Dayton Children’s Hospital. He said he hopes to be reelected because he has delivered on his promises to invest in housing and young people.
Fairchild, who was first elected to the city commission during a special election in May 2018, said he also has helped develop plans and visions for all of the city’s neighborhoods.
“In the midst of an uncertain time when federal decisions are going to impact the city in very important ways, I’m going to work to protect our basic services — our police, fire, water, trash pickup, our roads, so that you will be able to live in a safe community,” he said.
Beckham until recently was a senior aide to Mayor Mims. He said he is running because he believes he is experienced but also brings new ideas and energy.
“I am running on a platform of three specific priorities: Neighborhood investment, public safety and economic justice,” he said. “I believe I can offer a new voice.”
Wick is a Dayton school board member and owner of Coco’s Bistro, a restaurant in the city’s South Park neighborhood. She said she’s been very successful at turning big ideas into reality, like the investments and improvements the school district made to Welcome Stadium.
“Now, I’m ready to bring that same service of commitment (and) problem-solving approach to the Dayton City Commission,” she said
Davis is a local attorney who used to be in charge of enforcing the city’s civil rights and anti-discrimination laws. He said he believes he can make a difference and shake things up at City Hall.
“I bring a unique skillset and experience to the position,” he said. “I’m running with three core priorities: people, neighborhoods and local protections.”
Duncan is a retired city employee who has 32 years of experience. She said she wants to be a “peacemaker” and believes she can bring all of the members of the commission together to work on issues important to the community.
“I will make sure that all the neighborhoods benefit from all the dollars we have coming to Dayton,” she said.
Candidates on Monday night were asked questions about combatting the “preschool to prison pipeline,” expanding drug and mental health services, improving health care access and their views on divesting in Israel businesses because of the violence against Palestinians.
Different backgrounds, ideas
Davis said the city commission has not had a lawyer on the elected body in about two decades. He said his private practice law firm represents small businesses, nonprofits, fair housing organizations and consumers.
Davis said there’s lots of funny jokes about lawyers, but as an attorney he understands how to navigate complex issues and negotiate and mediate tough disputes. He said he would not “blindly follow” what the city manager recommends.
“Every decision I make, I am going to focus on the benefits to families, consumers, workers, tenants and small business owners,” he said. “Every policy that comes before me, I’m going to look at neighborhood beautification, development and sustainability.”
Duncan says she had a blue-collar upbringing and has a strong work ethic. She said she is very knowledgeable about city operations, the budget and other important parts of city office.
Duncan said she wants to help bridge the divide between different factions on the city commission.
Commissioner Fairchild, along with Commissioner Turner-Sloss, sometimes disagree and clash with Mayor Mims and Commissioners Chris Shaw and Matt Joseph.
Commissioners Shaw and Joseph have endorsed Wick and Beckham, who have been campaigning together.
Duncan also said if elected to office she will make sure that all of the city’s neighborhoods “get a fair shake.”
Beckham said he wants to take fresh look at Dayton’s “systems,” including current programs and initiatives. He has said he wants to build a stronger and more equitable city.
Beckham said he’s dismayed that so many young people decide to leave the city. He said he wants to find ways to get them to stay.
“If we really balance the playing field, and create more equity in the city, I think we would see those results and more young people choosing to stay here and invest their talents back into Dayton,” he said.
Wick said if elected to the city commission she would focus on addressing rising costs of housing and mental illness. She said her entire life has revolved around service.
Wick said she wants to invest in local businesses and ensure city services properly meet their needs, and she also proposes to strengthen neighborhoods through local leadership.
“I’m running for city commission because Dayton is positioned for amazing growth over the next several years, and these are opportunities that I want to make sure all of our residents enjoy,” she said. “And I want to be a part of that growth and development.”
Commissioner Fairchild said he hopes and believes he’s helped make Dayton a better place. He said he helped ensure that the city sets aside funding for important investments in the youth and housing improvements.
Fairchild said he decided to run for office because he saw and wanted to fix “brokenness” in the community.
He said his goal is to create a community that “works for everyone.”
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