NPR comes to Dayton

By Ellen Belcher | Thursday, November 20, 2008, 04:58 PM

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, Montgomery County’s Job Center made NPR’s “All Things Considered” program.

In his 7-minute segment, Noah Adams talks to several people who’ve turned to the Job Center for training, GED classes or help searching for a new job after being laid off.

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Latinos and the future of electoral politics

By selliott | Thursday, November 13, 2008, 07:25 AM

The election of the first African-American president naturally has led to much discussion about the nation’s troubled racial legacy and the impact of its longstanding black-white divide. Rightfully so. Black voters went for Obama by an astounding 95 percent, one of the key factors in helping him turn states like Indiana and North Carolina blue on the electoral map.

But the other racial subtext to this election that hasn’t seen as much discussion is the embrace of Obama by Latino voters, and their corresponding rejection of the GOP. In states like Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado, Latino support was as much a key to the blue hue they showed on election night maps.

Already the nature of the Obama-Latino alliance is the subject of speculation. Can it last? Will Obama make good on his promises to the Latino community?

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Cabinet appointment coffee talk

By selliott | Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 02:53 PM

John Kerry for secretary of state? Howard Dean for secretary of health and human services? Paul Volker for treasury secretary? Those are some of the names being floated for cabinet positions in the upcoming Obama administration. It’s about all anyone can talk about when it comes to national politics right now.

One unexpected name being whispered for an unexpected job is Colin Powell for secretary of education. But is this a good idea?

Over at the DDN’s Get on the Bus education blog, I take a shot at answering that question.

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Close county races mired in uncertainty

By selliott | Wednesday, November 5, 2008, 12:08 PM

Here’s where the Montgomery County results stand. All early votes and machine votes have been counted and some of the paper ballots filled out on election day are included in the current numbers.

But about 40,000 paper ballots remain to be counted, and they all must be handled by hand. The board of elections hopes to have final results early this afternoon.

This leaves several local races in limbo. While most of the candidates who were leading last night appear to be relatively safe, it’s hard to know for sure because we don’t know what percentage of the vote in each race is in and we don’t know where those outstanding paper ballots are from.

But a few races are clearly in play that did not appear to be so last night while one or two that looked close may not prove to be so. Among the races to watch:

Sheriff: This was a close race last night, but Sheriff Phil Plummer has 59 percent of the vote now. A reversal is not out of the question, but seems like a long shot.

Recorder: Recorder Willis Blackshear had a big lead last night but it has evaporated. He now has just 52 percent of the vote counted, making this race a toss up.

Common Pleas Court Judge: Judge Frances McGee had a big lead last night but this race is now a virtual tie with McGee at 50.4 percent and Dennis Adkins at 49.6 percent. This will be a nail biter.

Dayton school levy: The yes vote has held at about 57 percent, which looks likely to hold up but it is not out of the woods yet.

Jefferson Twp. school levy: Hold on to your seats — just 14 votes separate the yes and no in this crucial race for a fiscally troubled district. The issue currently leads with 50.25 percent voting yes.

Brookville school levy: This one is still pretty close with 54 percent voting yes.

Centerville school levy: This levy may be headed for a narrow defeat, with 52 percent voting no in the current numbers. But it is close enough that things could change.

Trotwood school levy A defeat may be in the offing here with 56 percent voting no.

Vandalia school levy: It looks like this levy will pass as 62 percent voted yes in the reported numbers.

Huber Heights school levy With 52 percent voting yes, the issue is holding on but still in danger.

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We’re calling it a night

By selliott | Wednesday, November 5, 2008, 01:26 AM

It looks like it will be early hours of the morning before there are going to be any more Montgomery County results. So we are calling it a night. Check back at DDN.com in the morning for updates.

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Dems start celebrating local races early

By selliott | Tuesday, November 4, 2008, 11:56 PM

There hasn’t been an update on local races from the Montgomery County Board of Elections in more two hours, which is pretty unusual. But the Democrats pressed on with a short program, recognizing several candidates who are leading in their races. They sounded pretty confident these folks were going to win.

Here’s a bit of what each candidate had to say:

Judy Dodge, city commission: “We did this together.”

Greg Brusch, clerk of courts: “Thanks for everybody who corrected somebody who called me ‘Busch.’”

Willis Blackshear, recorder: “All of you who contributed to our campaigns made this happen.”

Carolyn Rice, treasurer: “I am thrilled and honored to be part of this historic night tonight.”

Clayton Luckie, state representative: “This has been a great night for me and for the United States. People say things can’t happen. Things can happen. It did happen.”

Roland Winburn, state representative: “I guess God is not finished with me yet. He has given me this opportunity to continue on in the statehouse.”

Judge Frances McGee: “Thank you, Democratic Party. You stood by me.”

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McCain is conceding on television

By selliott | Tuesday, November 4, 2008, 11:19 PM

Sen. John McCain’s assertion that he understands this election is special to African-Americans is met by grumbling here at Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters. Some felt McCain’s campaign included race-baiting tactics.

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