Google makes politics more interesting

Published
by
David Esrati
on July 4, 2008
in Presidential race 2008
. 0 Comments

It seems the folks at Google want to release some of their Omnipotence to the rest of us- and let us peek at what’s happening in the 2008 political race. While I think this is fantastic, I really wish Google would offer to reinvent the donation mechanism and reporting system, since the stuff the FEC built is utter crapola.

Take a look at who is searching what with the Google

Official Google Blog: More tools for citizen participation

Political participation isn’t just about casting your vote; everyone should be able to become an informed participant instantly. When Americans want to learn about candidates and issues using Google, we find that they want more than one source, and immediate results. Instead of sitting through entire television broadcasts, voters are going online to get their daily dose of politics - as they did during the primaries, when searches for political queries spiked.

We created a page on 2008 US election trends that highlights search queries on candidates by location to show how, during this election season, voters across the nation are getting politically engaged online. Use the Candidate Search Queries map to see which cities are searching more for Obama or McCain, and the News by Candidate tool on the trends page to see the latest headlines on each of the presidential contenders.

Our political outreach efforts are aimed at providing citizens with useful knowledge on where candidates, office holders and advocacy groups stand. As more Americans go online and take simple steps to participate in politics, we aspire to promote democracy and informed participation in the process by equipping voters with useful information through search.

Google has been called the database of “human intentions” with the ability to foresee trends based on what people are searching for. From my look at their search trends- the answer seems to consistently be Barack Obama.

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Paying the house: when “economic development” goes bad

Published
by
David Esrati
on July 4, 2008
in America in Crisis, Economic Development in Dayton OH, End corporate welfare and Our Broken political system
. 8 Comments

When you go to gamble, there is always one winner- the house.

For your opportunity to wager your bets and win or loose, the house always wins.

Except in the “house” of modern day “economic development” where government corporate welfare gives all kinds of deals and breaks, without any true guarantee of, well- anything.

Sure we can talk about “job creation”- the new holy grail to politico’s justification for these handouts- but at what cost long term? Sure, Wilmington turned from a sleepy little town with a big airfield and international business- with a lot of help from Government, but, now, it’s about to turn into a ghost town, with a giant sucking sound as jobs, business and tax base runs to Louisville. FedEx is not going to come into Wilmington and save the day.

So, when we look at the Moraine Assembly plant, which has held local governments hostage over the years with threats of leaving if not given the many tax breaks over the years, as an “asset” to our community as long as it’s still producing trucks- what happens when it stops? From today’s Dayton Daily News:

Vacant sites full of potential
In the case of the GM’s sprawling Stroop Road facility, it likely wouldn’t get another chance as an automotive factory, since the industry has ample production capacity, said Doug Harnish, president of Gem Public Sector Services, a research and brokerage firm.

And, even if another automaker wanted to set up shop in Moraine, GM probably will not want to lease or sell property to a competitor, Harnish said.

And here’s the catch- GM is telling the house, sorry, now that our luck has panned out, we don’t have to pay you anymore, even though you kept giving us credit to play based on our good word.

Not good enough.

If a company has to plead poverty in order to operate, and asks the house of the people for funding, the house should have every opportunity to collect back it’s markers- in the way of having the option for a competitor to step in and take over. Just because the highly paid gambler in charge, oops, I mean CEO, of GM had no foresight to cover his bets on SUV’s with small, energy efficient cars doesn’t mean he gets to walk off with his fat paycheck, while our community takes it on the chin.

You accept public money, you accept a responsibility back to the public investor. That should be the new rule. No one plays with our tax dollars for free anymore.

Thoughts?

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The “One Stop Shop” for Dayton business permits: Emphasis on “STOP”

Published
by
David Esrati
on July 1, 2008
in Dayton Government, Economic Development in Dayton OH and Steps backward in Dayton
. 2 Comments

While Dayton is hemorrhaging jobs and residents, with a glut of vacant business space on the market, you would think anyone wanting to open a new business would be welcomed with open arms.

Not.

But, in Kettering, once known as a business unfriendly community- the red carpet is being rolled out (guess competition from the Greene woke them up).

Today, a client of mine went to inquire about putting a hip business in the Oregon district. The space is 10K sq feet on two floors, and has been empty for at least 2 years. The “One Stop” people immediately started talking about all the problems- zoning, use, requirements for architectural drawings. For a space that’s been a frickin pawn shop adding absolutely squat to the district.

Of course, this is just a small nail in a coffin that’s already in a sarcophagus and being back filled as we sleep. Take a look at the coolest building in the Oregon- just to the left of Newcom’s- with it’s beautiful bay windows, and the roller rink on the top floor. This building, which was where Morris Furniture got it’s start, can’t be occupied by anyone, thanks to zoning and building codes that don’t translate to old buildings in Historic Districts.

Instead of “Economic Development” people - the city really needs to hire some “Expediter/Ombudsmen” who will work tirelessly to cut through this unnecessary red tape that is killing off our community.

Yesterday.

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Some site updates- edit comments!

Published
by
David Esrati
on July 1, 2008
in Random thoughts
. 0 Comments

Just to let you know, you can now go back and fix your typos after you hit reply, for a short period of time.

We’ve also removed the “For Congress” part of the header, and taken the store down, since the only thing we’re selling right now is still the free book “Dear Son, do you really want to be an American.”

I’m really pleased with what I’ve heard from those of you who’ve read it, but, would be even happier, if you put comments up on the download page for all to see. (I just realized the comments aren’t showing up on the download page- we’ll fix that asap)

It’s also possible to subscribe to a post without commenting, just in case.

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Turner wants to help DHL dodge taxes

Published
by
David Esrati
on July 1, 2008
in America in Crisis, Backassward Ohio, End corporate welfare, Mike Turner Congressman and Ohio government issues
. 7 Comments

When is a gift not a gift? When it helps a foreign investor who has already received millions in tax breaks and subsidies over the years- avoid paying more taxes after it shafts its American workforce.

In yet another bit of “political logic” Mike Turner wants DHL to give “the community” back a white elephant that the government originally built, and abandoned- much the same way as DHL is about to do (the DHL facility is the former Rickenbacker Air Force Base):

Turner: DHL would consider public donation of Wilmington property
The cargo delivery company DHL has said it would consider donating its entire Wilmington freight hub operation to the community if the company concludes a business deal with United Parcel Service that could wipe out thousands of Wilmington jobs, U.S. Rep. Mike Turner and a state official said Monday, June 30.

Turner, R-Centerville, spoke after meeting privately with employees of ABX Air, the DHL-employed cargo airline that could be replaced by DHL’s proposed contract to have UPS handle all of DHL’s U.S. air cargo transport. DHL said it expects to negotiate the deal within three months.

“I think DHL is making a terrible mistake,” Turner said of the proposal.

Kevin Carver, an Ohio Department of Development regional official based in Dayton, confirmed that DHL has said in conversations with top state officials that it would consider publicly donating the 2,200-acre Wilmington property if the UPS deal goes through, in order to help Ohio find new use for the operation. The property includes two runways, control tower and dozens of buildings, including more than one million square feet of cargo sorting space. DHL’s two contractor airlines at Wilmington, ABX Air and ASTAR Air Cargo, fly DHL overnight delivery packages to cities across the United States each night.

I know that some of my astute readers will say I suggested the same thing for the GM plant in Moraine not long ago and that I seem like a hypocrite- I’ll explain.

While both companies are getting hammered by fuel prices, the GM plant has alternative uses: building smaller cars, rail cars, refrigerators, airparks, unless you want to try to bring in one of the private companies trying to run a space launch business, aren’t really useful these days as airports.

Dayton lost Emery not long ago to UPS, and for Wilmington to lose DHL is pretty much the price we pay for not investing in high speed rail-and subsidizing businesses to locate in the middle of nowhere, far away from where employees live. DHL used to run a bus to bring employees from Dayton to Wilmington daily- if that’s any indication of failed economic planning.

For right now, it’s time to ask DHL back for all the tax breaks they accepted, and to keep charging them for the property taxes that the facility should be paying. To take it off the tax rolls is just another kick in the gut to an already reeling Wilmington.

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Who will be the next Clerk of the Dayton City Commission?

Published
by
David Esrati
on June 30, 2008
in Dayton Government
. 2 Comments

I have no idea, but the applications were due by end of business today- and I applied.

Here is the cover letter I submitted- this was not an easy decision, however, I’m pretty sure the Commission won’t have a hard time making their decision.

30 June 2008

Ms. Angie Freeman
City of Dayton Commission Office
Via hand delivery

Dear Ms. Freeman,
I’m almost sure the initial response of the Commission will be something like “when hell freezes over would we hire David Esrati as Clerk of Commission” so this cover letter will attempt to be as brilliant as the Constitution of the United States and as short as the Gettysburg address.
Why should hell freeze over?
“Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” There is no stronger critic/observer of the way things have and are done in the city; if hired, I would have to shut up and perform. I have every intention of running for Commission or Mayor next year. If hired as Clerk, obviously, I won’t run.
While that may sound like a veiled threat, it’s not. It’s out of concern for the future of our community that I plan to run. As Clerk, I would be part of the team that’s responsible for making Dayton great.
I believe the Clerk of Commission position has been under-utilized in the past. Nothing against those who have come before, but I believe the role of the Clerk should be that of an activist ombudsman, and as a facilitator of the exchange of ideas between citizens and their city government. I believe City Commission meetings should have an element of think tank/community outreach built into every session. Via my Web 2.0 skills, I believe we can create a better-informed public, empowered to control the destiny of their neighborhoods through a more efficient and enlightened conversation about the challenges we face.
As the liaison between City staff and the City Commission, I believe we can more efficiently utilize our top people by letting them work, instead of having a full house at every meeting. It would be my job to coordinate the informational requests of Commission with the attendance of staff. The days of “ambush style” questions from a commissioner went away with Commissioner Orick. There is no need for these highly paid officials to sit through every meeting if a good system of communication is in place. No corporation would ever task their top officers to a meeting a week, in which many never participate actively. I believe I can create that open flow of information.
As a citizen who has been in front of the Commission more times than most, I am also acutely aware of how frustrated citizens can feel. It is my vision to make sure not only are citizens clearly heard, but, responded to promptly and with a publicly documented process. Never again, will a citizen feel their voice isn’t heard, respected and valued, however, I will also make sure citizens comments are focused and meaningful. No more gratuitous appearances and rambles. I believe, I have the credentials from the other side of the wall to gently enforce the rules.
While I could continue with my credentials as a neighborhood president, founder of South Park Social Capital, founder of VOB108, and as an agent of change within the community, working with organizations such as Daybreak to build better relationships within the community, I think, the Commission knows me well enough to know if they want to have me in for an interview.
To accept this position, I would have to give up my career in advertising, which I love. I would be walking away from working across the street from my home, with my dog, and some of the most incredible people I’ve ever had the chance to work with. I don’t submit this letter and resume easily; yet, I do believe it is a position where I could serve my community and make a difference.
Yes, I do have my differences with Commission, however, I know that all of them have the same dreams for Dayton that I have: to regain its position as first choice to live, work and build a future.
Because of that, I humbly ask that the Commission put aside any personal feelings and consider me as a serious candidate for the position of Clerk of the Commission.
Sincerely,

This position is one of only a few that the Commission have a say in hiring. The decrease in the pay range from teh previous $100K+ a year to the $70-90K per year depending on qualifications should eliminate many of the current city hall chieftans, who would be taking a pay cut.

Of course, there is also the residency rule. I’ll keep you all informed if I even get an interview, but in the mean time, I have no intention of quitting my day job.

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Cliburn Manor comes down- McLin wants a “Senior Getto” in it’s place

Published
by
David Esrati
on June 30, 2008
in Dayton Government, Economic Development in Dayton OH and Mike Turner Congressman
. 4 Comments

You could tell who Karin Manovich voted for in the last Mayoral election when she took the podium after Mayor McLin got done with her address to the group of dignitaries and muckity-mucks at the tear down ceremony.

McLin had suggested to Dick Fergeson from University of Dayton that they try to build a “senior ghetto” for UD alumni to come back to for retirement- because “they are doing it in other cities.”

Of course, UD already has plans for this on some of the 25 acres they already have to fill by the river.

Manovich was supportive of the idea, but couldn’t believe that McLin had used the words “ghetto” and “South Park” in the same sentence. Just another reason McLin doesn’t come off as a credible leader- choice of words can be everything.

The bigger question is what do Miami Valley Hospital and CityWide Development have in the planning stages- since they supposedly have purchased the land for $1.6 million (unconfirmed).

As we all walked to watch the ceremonial tear down of the first building- I was looking in windows and seeing refrigerators- and aluminum downspouts, screen doors, etc all there- ripe for the recycling, and wondering why DMHA hadn’t scrapped them before the demo. With the price of copper, aluminum and refrigerators etc pretty high, this seemed like another hopelessly wasteful move by an inept government agency.

And- of course, Congressman Mike Turner was there to take some credit for this demolition- to which McLin sniped “it took two Mayors to get this done.”

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A public service message- sort of…

Published
by
David Esrati
on June 30, 2008
in guide to living in Dayton
. 0 Comments

For those of you who are parents, and have kids who are addicted to WebKinz (I’ve seen it- the force is strong with these little furry things)- my client in Troy is having a one day sale:

Introducing Webkinz at Duck Duck Goose Boutique.
To kick off our new line of these amazing interactive furry friends we are offering our “pick of the month” at an amazing discount this Tuesday, July 1st for only $7.99 ~ Reg. price is $14.00
Hurry in on Tuesday- they won’t last long! (she has 70 in stock)

Sorry to go off on a tangent from the normally important stuff- but, if I can save you money- I’ll try.

Hint- you can order them online at 12:01 am and get the deal.

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A butcher, a baker, a fruit and vegetable stand… a walkable community

Published
by
David Esrati
on June 29, 2008
in Economic Development in Dayton OH and big ideas for Dayton OH
. 4 Comments

Tomorrow is the Cliburn Manor tear down ceremony. We have not been clued in to what may go on the site (my guess is MVH already has plans). We’ve seen a drawing of an HBA inspired McCommunity- and the developers of the new Kroger showed us something even more unlikely.

But, maybe, we’ll just end up with a green field for a while.

Yet, I yearn for something more. Corner stores. My office was a corner grocery for most of its life. From 1926-1930 or so- it was a Kroger store. The best butcher shop in the neighborhood was at the corner of Adams and Morton (as I was told by Carl Chatfield, who grew up in the neighborhood- to later be a cop in it).

How often do any of you buy fresh ground beef? Not in the carbon dioxide packed shrink wrap in the stryofoam tray, but ground on the spot, wrapped in paper, or placed in a plastic bag? When I want ground lamb, I head up to Halal International Grocery- but it’s not really a butcher shop per se, with the white coats, and the side of beef hanging in the cooler.

How often do you buy bread baked on the premises? And get the option of slicing it yourself?

A lot of this still happens at Dot’s or Dorothy Lane Market- but, even those are a car ride away. What would it be like to have one in walking distance? Or a small cluster of stores? With locally grown produce?

Yes, our Kroger is disgusting, the parking lot almost guarantees cart damage, and you feel like you’ve been transported into the Jerry Springer show set- but, building a big new shiny Kroger won’t really make me that happy. DLM, Dots, or another business, run by locals, serving locals would make me happy.

And with the price of gas- not walking makes it worth paying a little more.

Now, only if we could have Graeff Hardware back.

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North Korea good, Cuba bad? WTF?

Published
by
David Esrati
on June 27, 2008
in America in Crisis, Government in general and Our Broken political system
. 8 Comments

So, the Axis of Evil lost a teammate this week. Place a bet that within a year, Wal-Mart will be selling products made in North Korea. In the mean time, Cuba, a mere 90 miles away, has a literacy rate at 97%, used to be a vacation hot-spot, and produces a lot of sugar and some pretty good cigars- can’t be a trade partner.

And we didn’t invade Iraq for oil.

It’s time to normalize relations with Cuba. Yesterday.

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