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Food Adventures with Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell

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Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell Enjoying a Brew at Tank’s Bar & Grill

Everyone knows that Gary Leitzell is the mayor of Dayton, but did you know that he is a foodie ??   You may find him at Tank’s on Wayne Avenue with a mini pitcher of beer discussing the history of Dayton.   You may see him munching on pizza at the South Park Tavern, talking about some of the old homes in the neighborhood & who built them.   You may catch the mayor cutting a sandwich at the Top of the Market & Deli at Webster Street.

The Big Ragu often runs into Gary Leitzell at various community events.  We have had Food Adventures with the mayor at Ghostlight Coffee and even visited with his legislative aide “Gladgirl Shelly.‘  The mayor has spent time with us at the 2nd Street Market.    We have been with him at charity events like the AMBUCS Chili Cookoff.  And, who could forget our ‘must eats’ like Oktoberfest at the Dayton Art Institute or the World A’Fair at the Convention Center.

When we see Mayor Leitzell, he always takes a moment to talk with us about Dayton and the local government’s exciting plans for the city.  Practically everything about Gary is unique.  Most of his childhood was spent in England, he has no political affiliation and fancies himself an independent.

 

But this is not an article on politics.   It is an article on fun and food in the Dayton area, which is what Food Adventures are all about.

Speaking of fun, here are some things you ‘gotta know’ about Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell:

— He eats every sandwich with a fork and knife.  – Yes, hot dogs and burgers too.  Call it a good manners habit from his days in merry olde England.

—He has a blog called ‘This Old Crack House’  – Mayor Leitzell is a cool character with a great personality.  His blog documents the refurbishing of his historic home, which went from a log house to a townhouse, to a crack house and now, his house.  You gotta love a guy that has a blog called “This Old Crack House.”  Check it out HERE.

— Mayor Leitzell has a scooter.  – What better way to get to  a Food Adventure?

—  He doesn’t own a cell phone. – Gary is a person who prefers to communicate face to face or by email.  Wait a minute, how does he order carryout food?  For a guy always on the move, we find it astonishing that he doesn’t own a mobile phone.  Maybe it is a lesson to us as well.

— His favorite rock band is ‘The Who.’  – Will they play a farewell show at Courthouse Square when his term as mayor ends?  We will have our people get with your people to coordinate that one.

If there is a lesson to be learned from Mayor Leitzell it is “Be yourself.”   The mayor has a positive passion for the Dayton area and the future of the city.  He is involved with many activities, from West Side Dayton volunteer projects to creative marketing for the city.  But, you won’t see that trumpeted in a paper or in a story online.  As his term expires in January, look for him to run for a Montgomery County Commissioner seat.

So be on the lookout next time you are eating out and around Dayton.  You just may be sitting next to the mayor !

What are your top 5 Dayton area restaurants?  Comment below so we can see how you stack up with the mayor !

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Leitzell may be the bossman, but Food Adventures are the Dukes of Facebook .   Like these “Dayton Foodies” on FACEBOOK by clicking  —–>HERE!

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Dayton Has A New Mayor – Gary Leitzell

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garySomething happened yesterday that many did not think was possible.  Despite being heavily outspent and going up against the Montgomery County Democratic Party that has dominated politics in this city for a long time, political newcomer and independent Gary Leitzell beat the incumbent Rhine McLin.  The city is suffering from what might be the worst economy to ever hit this place (which is saying a lot), and just like how the majority of the country felt last November – there are many people in this city that simply wanted a change.  Gary Leitzell represents that change.

Rhine McLin’s leadership capabilities have been hotly debated by many throughout the region.  Her supporters saw her compassion and grassroots-level commitment to neighborhoods.  Key supporters understand that she is politically astute behind the scenes and value her strong political connections.  Many apathetic Dayton residents weren’t crazy about her but didn’t believe she could be beat, and thus simply went along for the ride.  However, McLin’s detractors blamed her for not being in touch with the citizens OR businesses, and were turned off by her lack of presence and less-than-inspiring speaking abilities.   Added to the city’s economic woes, the anti-McLin sentiments proved to be too much for her to overcome in the end.

While Gary Leitzell had some strong support among those that he has worked with as Chair of the Southeast Priority Board and President of the Walnut Hills Neighborhood Association, he just barely beat McLin (14,923 to 14,045) and faces his share of challenges.  There are many who are unhappy with some things he has said on this very website, and others that voted for change versus a candidate.  Leitzell most definitely has his work cut out for him.

And the Democratic Party still has a stronghold on the commission as a whole.  Incumbents Nan Whaley and Joey Williams won re-election over challenger David Esrati, and the other two seats are held by the party that Leitzell went up against.  Gary Leitzell will now have to demonstrate leadership within the team in order to fulfill his promise of change as he needs at least two of their votes to pass anything over the next four years – including the most important decision right out of the gate: recruiting a new city manager.  With limited power to push major changes through and a city budget in shambles, Leitzell may soon be on the receiving end of the same criticism that McLin has faced over the years.  However, Leitzell’s outsider perspective may prove to be an asset and allow him to push for bold new ideas that this city needs.

The City of Dayton has turned the page on a long chapter, one filled with many ups and downs.  And as the new chapter begins with a new mayor and soon new city manager, we have important opportunities ahead of us.  We have an opportunity to improve how City Hall responds to the needs of the citizens and businesses in this community.  We have the opportunity to try brand new approaches in an effort to make our city more attractive to citizens and businesses alike.  We also have the opportunity to strengthen our relationships with the rest of the region so that we can move the regionalism conversation forward.  A stronger core city is important to the region now more than ever, and only as a strong unified region can we thrive in a global economy.

I congratulate Gary Leitzell, Nan Whaley and Joey Williams on their wins as I admire all of the candidates including Rhine McLin and David Esrati for their commitment, passion and courage.  As for advice to our new mayor, I’ll leave that up to all of you – what advice would you give Gary Leitzell as he embarks on this difficult mission?  What kinds of things do you think he and his fellow commissioners should focus on moving forward?