“I am running for city commission because Dayton is positioned for amazing opportunities that can benefit all of our residents,” she said. “We can’t afford to let those opportunities pass us by — it’s time for new perspective.”
Turner-Sloss, Fairchild and Mayor Jeffrey Mims Jr. confirmed this week that they are seeking reelection next year. Mims and Commissioner Chris Shaw were at Wick’s announcement event at Coco’s Bistro on Monday to support her candidacy.
Turner-Sloss and Fairchild sometimes butt heads with the three other members of the city commission (Mims, Shaw and Matt Joseph).
Wick, Michael White and Archibald Alan Magee so far have pulled petitions required to run for the Dayton City Commission, said Russ Joseph, deputy director of the Montgomery County Board of Elections.
Jordan Wortham and Curtis Stratton have pulled petitions to run for mayor, Joseph said.
Petitions can be obtained from the Board of Elections or the city commission office. Just because someone pulls petitions does not mean they will turn them in or get on the ballot.
Karen Wick
Wick, 60, who owns Coco’s Bistro in the same South Park neighborhood where she lives, said she works hard and knows how to problem-solve, collaborate and bring people together.
She described herself as a creative visionary — someone who helps turn big ideas into reality, including during her time on the school board.
Wick said her three key priorities as a city commissioner would be to address housing affordability and homelessness; strengthen neighborhoods through local leadership; and invest in businesses and support entrepreneurs by cutting red tape and enhancing city services.
“I’ve learned that the best solutions come when we bring people together, when we listen to all voices and when we focus on getting things rather than on politics,” Wick said.
Wick said she is proud of her accomplishments while on the Board of Education, which included the district’s revamping of Welcome Stadium. She said the renovated facility is a community asset and an economic engine.
Wick said she has a deep love and a talent for public service. She said she wants to serve the community in a new way.
Wick has been collecting signatures and she hopes to turn in petitions with about 1,000 signatures in coming weeks. City commission candidates need to submit petitions with 500 valid signatures to appear on the ballot.
City Commissioner Shaw on Monday said he is endorsing Wick because she is a community servant and business leader who understands how the city operates.
Shaw said Wick offers “thoughtful leadership” and he’s confident she will make decisions that move the city forward.
Shaw said he’s tired of some of the fights, theatrics and “gotcha politics” that he said sometimes arise at city commission meetings.
“We don’t need that,” Shaw said. “There are outsiders in the economic development and business community watching us and they do not want to be part of a show. ... I am supportive of Karen and I know she’s going to do a great job.”
Commissioner Fairchild said he’s also been collecting signatures, raising money and talking to voters. Fairchild said residents are very supportive of what he’s accomplished since he was first elected in mid-2018.
He said his colleagues on the city commission (Mims, Shaw and Joseph) for years have tried to defeat him at the ballot box, including by recruiting people to run against him.
“It’s disappointing because it demonstrates their poor priorities and lack of leadership,” he said. “I wish they would spend more time worrying about the issues that our residents face than they do trying to defeat that they disagree with.”
Fairchild said Wick hasn’t distinguished herself all that much on the school board, but he’s interested to see what kinds of ideas she has about how to make the city a better place.
Commissioner Turner Sloss told this newspaper that she’s worked tirelessly while in office on behalf of residents, business and community stakeholders and unions.
“I will also say that my colleagues are seeking a path of less resistance and accountability,” she said. “Commissioner Fairchild and I have been unjustly criticized for questioning the status quo ‘business-as-usual’ governing that has not worked in the best interests of all of Dayton.”
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