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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2008 > April > 04 > Entry
What would you ask Dayton’s ‘Creative Class’ types?
I gotta say, I really love this “Creative Class” initiative Dayton has going (or, more accurately, that Dayton’s area colleges have going) with Richard Florida, the guru of that movement.
Here’s a column that I wrote and was published April 6.
In a couple weeks, the editorial board is meeting with some of the participants in the effort. They want to tell us about their plans and get us to help create some “buzz” about what they’re doing.
My first reaction is, thank God that this group thinks journalists and people who write for the newspaper can help them to help make a difference in the community. Sometimes we in this business get the feeling that the stereotypical “creative class” person wouldn’t read a newspaper (or go to its Web site) if his or her life depended on it. That’s so old school, so old media.
So, I’m thrilled they’re coming and that they think we have a role in advancing their cause. I’ve already interviewed some participants, and they’re an interesting bunch.
Any advice you would have for them? Any questions you’d like us to ask them? Maybe we can have the whole discussion here and just dispense with the meeting.
Just kidding. There’s still a place for face-to-face talk.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Dayton Creative Class Initiative
Comments
By Washington Township
April 5, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
I’d ask them how their volunteer recruitment is doing and if they are getting buy-in from the greater community, especially possible stakeholders, on the five intiatives they are working on. For example they are working on a film initiative. Do they have buy-in & involvement from local film-makers and the film school at WSU?By andysnow
April 6, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
To the final question, yes and yes. This has always been integral to the vision, structure and goals of the FilmDayton initiative. Our mission statement will make this evident. Stay tuned just a little while longer. (oops.. mixed media metaphor!)By Kathleen Blake
April 7, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
You too can join us to learn more about the Creative Class and what Southwest Ohio should be doing to solve many workforce development problems that are a regional issue. Participate in Think Global; Act Regional Leadership Day, Thursday, April 17, from 7:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Roberts Centre, US 68@I-71. Download reservation forms at www.cclead.org or e-mail ccli@verizon.netBy artist
April 9, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
I would ask how they plan to get measurable and accountable buy-in from area companies and governments. For example, who wants to buy art downtown where parking is limited and costly when one can go to the mall, park for free and buy cheaper mass-produced art? What will government do to make it easier to actually sell one’s art as a business? (Has anyone on the DDN looked at the tax burden Ohio places on the small-business artist?) Or, how about all the local businesses (like hospitals and headquarters) that buy their art from catalogs and could care less about keeping a local artist from starving? How about all the local interior decorators — why not survey them to find out how many seek work from local artists?By null
April 14, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
I’d discuss with other citizens and leaders what I would really like to see in Southwest Ohio — not just Dayton. We have to THINK GLOBALLY and ACT REGIONALLY. Let’s do just that Thursday, April 17 at Roberts Centre when all these leaders and citizens are gathering to discuss challenges for the region.By 90210
May 1, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
The focus seems to be on bringing people into the area that have certain definable character traits that isn’t here now. What about those who are already here - the ones who stayed? The tool makers, small and medium scale manufacturers, etc. What is this group going to do to keep these important jobs here. After all, they are the ones who stayed and are the reason Dayton isn’t a ghost town. What happened to ‘Tool Town’? Why can’t this concept also be incorporated into the big scheme of things too?By tom
May 23, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
90210 has it right. To me the real “creative class” are those people who have taken monetary and personal risks to build the “New Dayton.” Iams founder Clayton Mathile , Dan Young of Young’s Dairy, and Dr. Curran of the University of Dayton. People like these are the real “creative class.” These are the people who have laid the groundwork for and continue to build the New Dayton. They are indeed the creative class!By Michael
June 29, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
These movements cannot be manufactured! Creative-class types are sure to stay the heck away from places actively looking for them. Understand the conditions that attract them to places, foster those conditions, and they will come. If you work on bringing them here first the push will surely fail, as these types of people are highly mobile and will simply leave when they’ve had enough.By Rene Haag
July 9, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
Wake up Dayton. You’re losing a great local store. Yep, after 56 years of business, McCallister’s Art Supplies is closing. Keep buying on-line and you won’t have any specialty stores left. Sad.