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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 > 2010 > March > 01 > Entry
Editorial: Dayton didn’t worry about SCLC race card
Maybe you have noticed that, in the list of programs connected with the Rev. Raleigh Trammell that have been funded and now defunded in the wake of scandal, you’re not hearing much about money from the City of Dayton.
Montgomery County, the feds and the state have all supplied money to operations run by the local chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, led by Rev. Trammell. Not the city.
And perhaps you have also noted that the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, also associated with Rev. Trammell, didn’t endorse Rhine McLin for re-election as mayor last year.
You might reasonably wonder about a connection between the two facts.
The question is worth pausing over, because some people think the absence of an IMA endorsement for Ms. McLin might have been decisive, depressing black turnout.
With turnout down, the election was decided by about 900 votes out of 29,000.
Why would an organization of black ministers, which leans toward Democrats, not support the black Democratic incumbent over an unknown white challenger?
One popular theory is that Mayor McLin supported a gay rights ordinance that the ministers opposed. But so did Commissioner Nan Whaley, whom the IMA did endorse.
And the IMA has endorsed Joe Lacey for the Dayton school board; he’s gay.
There are those on and around the city commission who believe that Rev. Trammell and the IMA were less concerned about gay rights than money.
Dayton had provided money for SCLC projects before the McLin era. Just one example: Under Mayor Mike Turner, the city put up $10,000 for the SCLC gun buyback program, wherein citizens would get cash for turning in workable guns.
That SCLC initiative was revived in the McLin years, but didn’t get city money, in part because of skepticism that buybacks were getting guns out of the hands of criminals. There were also other occasions when the possibility of the city contributing to SCLC projects came up.
Commissioner Whaley says that when she screened for the IMA’s endorsement in 2009, she was asked why the city wasn’t supporting it.
She says the city had concerns about the organization’s accounting and records. If that’s the explanation, those concerns look pretty good now.
Whatever the political impact of the city’s arm’s-length relationship with Rev. Trammell, the important point to be made now is that Dayton did the right thing.
While other agencies are being rightly criticized for not knowing how money they gave to groups associated with Rev. Trammell was being used, the city deserves some props.
Montgomery County says it was afraid of losing Rev. Trammell’s and the local civil rights organizations’ support for the Human Services Levy, which is crucial to funding local social programs. That’s was a concern that the city didn’t have.
And yet it’s hard to miss another difference between Montgomery County and the city government: race.
While Rev. Trammell was carrying a big stick with white elected county officerholders (though not an all-white staff), he was stymied in dealing with a city with a black mayor, majority-black city commission, and, at various intervals, a black city manager and top police officer.
At the heart of Rev. Trammell’s MO was the race card.
The possibility always loomed that he’d blame racism for any decision he didn’t like, and some people would believe him. But that was a tougher card to play in Dayton.
Permalink | Comments (44) | Post your comment | Categories: City of Dayton, Civil Rights, Editorials, Martin Gottlieb, Miami Valley Politics, Montgomery County
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By bobby
March 1, 2010 5:26 PM | Link to this
The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners[Democrats all] showed little courage in dealing with the alleged shakedown by Reverend Trammel and his crew. We need new, transparent leadership and a full explanation of how human services monies and Austin Road funds are being spent.
By Amazed
March 1, 2010 5:52 PM | Link to this
I am amazed how many people run for cover when the race card is played. Trammell always had it up his sleeve and wasnt afraid to use it. Lets see if justice will be served in this case or if he will get away with another felony.
By Beth
March 1, 2010 6:06 PM | Link to this
People may have to rethink their views of the former mayor. I do know that Trammel well was equal opportunity when it came to his uh-mm business dealings and the former Mayor and commissions should be complimented for seeing it for what it was. I guess they did not need the FBI to know that something wasn’t right.
By nancy
March 1, 2010 6:08 PM | Link to this
Members of the African American community know who the gangster’s are… Where did the guns and money go to from the gun buy back program????
By dude
March 1, 2010 8:13 PM | Link to this
Nancy, what are you trying to say?
By Joe
March 1, 2010 9:38 PM | Link to this
The editorial board has hit the nail on the head….including his silly little pillbox hat!
By I doubt they are hero's
March 1, 2010 10:15 PM | Link to this
I struggle to find black leaders distancing themselves as hero’s. Perhaps they knew what Trammell was up to, never reported and chose the attitude of many minoities…dont snitch. Shameful.
By Sad but true
March 1, 2010 10:31 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, the race card has the potential to be played when other predominantly black organizations from this area seek county or federal funding. But the race card won’t be played by the organizations seeking funding, it will be played by the county and federal officials. The wrongdoings of the SCLC will make it harder for other predominantly black organizations to get funding. My question is this - are we seeing the beginning of the death of the civil rights movement in Dayton?
By calvinj
March 1, 2010 10:38 PM | Link to this
Shame on those who knew the fraud involved here and didn’t broadcast it far and wide. Can we have a recount on the Human Services Levy? I still resent the way it was dramatically increased in one levy and no choice for voters whether to raise it 50% or have a replacement levy at same rate for small increase and an additional levy to vote a real increase.
By Joe Lacey
March 1, 2010 11:24 PM | Link to this
Bobby would like to make this a political party issue but the truth is that the all Republican County Commission paid Trammell in the nineties as well.
By bobby
March 1, 2010 11:42 PM | Link to this
Joe,WTF? You just asked fo a mea culpa because your buddy Clayton, did what he did? That was before you give a disclaimer for prior sins. If you want to go back to the nineties, lets go. I don’t think you will, because the Democrats have as much baggage as the Republicans, that is, unless Raleigh has given you the books.
By Joe Lacey
March 1, 2010 11:56 PM | Link to this
Bobby, you’re not making sense. I have no problem going back to the nineties and if we do we find that Republican controlled commissions voted money for Trammell just as Democratic controlled commissions. It’s not a party issue. And none of this has anything to do with what former school board members did before I was elected to the school board.
By bobby
March 2, 2010 1:19 AM | Link to this
Joe, As we both know, Sense is relative. Would you like to proclaim or renounce the support of the IMA.
By poppawu
March 2, 2010 1:28 AM | Link to this
Besides shakey accounting The SCLC owed thousands of dollars to the City for their annual convention Center Dinner. The City saw no reason to support the SCLC financially when they refused to pay their bills for other functions.
By Joe Lacey
March 2, 2010 7:10 AM | Link to this
When I spoke with the IMA, they asked me about my qualifications as a certified public accountant and a parent, questions more pertinent to my work on the board than most other organizations asked. They didn’t ask me for money for any of their programs. For some unknown reason Bobby is trying to make this an issue about me?
By David Esrati
March 2, 2010 7:31 AM | Link to this
Interested in hearing what Dayton candidates said in a “screening” by the ministers? http://www.esrati.com/dayton-baptist-ministers-conference-candidates-fourm-podcast/3571/ It still amazes me that this group gets government money at all. Faith based organizations shouldn’t be involved in government programs- there are fundamental issues here that should be reexamined. Including tax exemptions for churches if they are going to be involved government lobbying.
By Jeanie
March 2, 2010 8:06 AM | Link to this
Well said David. There is, afterall, supposedly a separation of church and state… Or is there?
By Tom
March 2, 2010 8:40 AM | Link to this
Poppawu brings up an interesting thought. I have to wonder what other funds have been sent the IMA/SCLC way. Montgomery County for example has been paying big bucks for a table every year to the event Poppawu refers. I would guess there are many more less obvious diversion of tax dollars like this. Lets hope this wakes up the voters when the next human services levy is on the ballot (and it is sooner than we all think I’ll bet). Lets keep these sweetheart deals in mind too when we vote in May, Nov, and beyond. I wouldn’t want these people watching my bank account and I certainly don’t want them watching my tax dollar account either.
By bobby
March 2, 2010 9:31 AM | Link to this
Joe, It is not about you, it is about blind, destructive partisanship. Would you like to join me in calling for an investigation and transparency of the county commission or do you want to hide behind the party?
By Fed Up
March 2, 2010 11:39 AM | Link to this
Perhaps the bigger picture is that hard working tax payers are fed up with entitlement programs. Givng money to people that wont work and dont deserve a free hand out is getting old. It is obvious that Trammell and others have figured out how to profit from these freebies by playing the race card. I think people are getting more aware of how deep the involvment of politicians (both parties) in this scam. I have a novel idea…lets ask welfare recipients to work for their money.
By FAM
March 2, 2010 12:29 PM | Link to this
Fed Up – One of the true tragedies when there is corruption in any program intended to help those in need, is that it is used as a justification to condemn all of the helping agencies and programs, as well as the people in need. I spent a few years as the director of a Food Pantry, and in spite of safeguards in place, there inevitably was a small percentage (less than 10%), that tried to ‘game ‘ the system. I have found that ‘gamers’ exist on the bread line and in the Board room. There will always be those that will try to take advantage of a situation. You can’t blame or punish the majority for the behavior of a few. If there is fraud and abuse in any program, I want it stopped, but I don’t want to stop any worthwhile group. By the way, welfare reform instituted work requirements several years ago. It is extremely arrogant to believe that people who are desperate for help, are lazy or failures. There but for the grace of….
By Joe Lacey
March 2, 2010 12:31 PM | Link to this
It’s not about partisanship. The article makes it clear that a presumably Democratic IMA did not support a Democratic mayor. “Blind, destructive partisanship” is taking a problem and blaming it on a particular party for no apparent reason, like Bobby does in his first post. Bobby’s random accusations are meant to distract from the problem. The SCLC’s programs are not entitlement programs either. They are faith-based programs and these types of programs are often run by very popular religious organizations that make it difficult scrutinize them. DPS pays the Salvation Army for a program that provides in school “coordinators”. I think the money would be better spent on qualified teachers who can focus on teaching and learning but to question that program you would think I was attacking mom and apple pie.
By fortressdayton
March 2, 2010 1:08 PM | Link to this
End faith-based charity funding. Spend you own money to spread you message. Keep your ‘righteous’ hands off my tax money. There is a reason the founding fathers wanted separation of church and state….This is one of the reasons. You don’t want your tax money to support abortions? Well, i don’t want mine supporting food pantries that cater to one race or for domestic violence shelters that are closed and have no utilities. That the average American has to put up with this nonsense is unacceptable.
By Fed Up
March 2, 2010 2:42 PM | Link to this
FAM I applaud your efforts to help those in need. I am sure there are a number of people that physically cannot work. My problem is with third and fourth generation welfare reciepients who chose not to help themselves. We do not owe these people anything nor should we reward them for their life style.
By bobby
March 2, 2010 3:27 PM | Link to this
Joe, Spoken as one would expect of the former treasurer of the Montgomery County Democratic Party. Had the commissioners been Republican, when Trammel’s game was discovered, you would be less inclined to ignor the malfeasance. There was no blame or accusation in the first post.I was merely reminding that all three commisioners are of the same politcal party and the taxpayers might be better served by having some checks and balances.
By FAM
March 2, 2010 3:39 PM | Link to this
Joe & Bobby - You both are making a strong case in support of Independent commissioners that do not have any political or philosophical baggage.
By Raoul
March 2, 2010 5:34 PM | Link to this
Maybe the mostly black City of Dayton leaders had nothing to gain by making funds available to Trammell. Maybe his shakedown tactics only work with the white folks.
By sam
March 2, 2010 9:23 PM | Link to this
Cut off the money,eliminate corruption. No more taxes. Vote no on the Human service levy!
By Sam
March 2, 2010 9:29 PM | Link to this
What a corrupt mess. To fix this eliminate taxes. No on any Human Service levy. The county just wastes our money
By Sam
March 2, 2010 9:29 PM | Link to this
What a corrupt mess. To fix this eliminate taxes. No on any Human Service levy. The county just wastes our money
By Joe Lacey
March 2, 2010 9:43 PM | Link to this
Bobby is persistent with his partisan politics. “Had the commissioners been Republican, when Trammel’s game was discovered, you would be less inclined to ignor the malfeasance.” I haven’t ignored anything. It is Bobby that chooses to ignore the fact that Republican commissioners had also voted for money for SCLC programs. And for all we know the Republican commissioners knew Trammel’s game when they voted money for him back in the nineties. The problem that Bobby wants to distract us from is inherrent in dealing with faith-based organizations.
By It's Great in Dayton!!!
March 3, 2010 9:59 AM | Link to this
Closing the serious racial divide in dayton is a problem that will not be solved by a bunch of self-proclaimed creative class weenies in a funky old building. The people that bought into Richard Florida’s crap have not accomplished jack squat. A silly-@ss poster, making films, websites, blogs, or mediocre slogans and logos will not do a d@mn thing. Unless the city center moves into crisis mode, and gets extremely aggressive about fixing itself, then————-DAYTON’S DYING———————-
By Chick
March 3, 2010 12:41 PM | Link to this
I too am fed up with my tax dollars going to lazy slackers.90% of these bums are young females who have kids for a living, just like their mothers and grandmothers.Why aren’t the elderly and disabled getting assistance like the welfare queens?
By calvinj
March 3, 2010 1:22 PM | Link to this
To see who’s getting your tax money for free, check out any Walmart on the first few days of the month. ANd the first Saturday seems extra busy.
By Henry Essick II
March 3, 2010 1:38 PM | Link to this
I think this editorial is probably accurate. I wish it wasn’t. I expect that the Natl SCLC will remove Rev. Trammell when it meets. I can see why it might be in the best interest of the SCLC to do this at this time. Before making a personal conclusion I’d like to see what the investigating discovers. I don’t expect it will be favorable to Rev. Trammell and I suspect that it will implicate others in the SCLC and IMA. In fact I’m anticipating we’ll start hearing more names than those mentioned to date. If things look bad I expect Rev will name names and cut himself a deal. He’s tough, smart and still very much in the game. He’s more or less looking at life if convicted so this could get interesting…
By CalvinJ
March 4, 2010 9:43 PM | Link to this
FAM, you are welcome to contribute as much of your money as you wish to support anyone you choose. But when you start to use OPM (other people’s money) you take on a responsibility to be sure that those receiving the benefits of money taken from others’ pockets is spent for truly needy folk. If you can’t see that many of those with benefit cards checking out at Walmart and other places are not needy, you’re never going to realize what you’ve done wrong. It is, indeed, just like the dole to the Shakedown artists in the west side of town who threatened racism if they didn’t get handouts, supposedly for the poor, but instead for themselves. They do carry on the tradition of J. Jackson and others who used the Shakedown for decades as their income. Perhaps when Ms. King is in charge of SCLC it will take on a front for those truly needy and not an income maker for those in $2000 suits hawking for Dollars for the Poor but lining their own pockets. I recommend you read Shakedown about Jesse Jackson. It’s a Chicago education. Note I didn’t insult you with cute phrases about those around your naive self.
By dannymq
March 5, 2010 7:29 AM | Link to this
democrat,republican? who cares? Joe and Bobby talk like its some kind of sport,rooting for the red or blue team. party politics have one thing in mind,…maintain power,increase power,get reelected,IT IS HIGH TIME FOR INDEPENDANTS TO RISE UP AND TAKE OUR MONEY BACK FROM THESE CLOWNS.VOTE OUT ALL INCUMBANTS, MAKE AMERICA WORK FOR AMERICANS INSTEAD OF THE REPUBLICRATS PARTY
By Tink
March 6, 2010 9:25 AM | Link to this
You know, the only reason Trammell played the “race card” is because it WORKED! Shame on the black community for listening to that “coffee can hat” fool. All he had to do was cry, “Whitey hates us”! and they were willing to do whatever he said. And all the while HE was draining money away from programs that could’ve helped them. What a mess!
By Rev. Deuteronomy Skaggs
March 6, 2010 3:42 PM | Link to this
You’re the worst kind of thief Trammell, stealin’ from black folk in the Lord’s name and lining your pockets from poor folks misery. All the smooth talk in the world won’t save you from your ultimate fate. And someone tell this Esrati fool, as my street-oriented friends would say, shutthef*ckup.
By jay1
October 27, 2010 1:45 PM | Link to this
D-nm, I still can’t get that Horrible picture of Trammell Having sex and filming it out of my mind, I just hope these Don’t surface,The mental Anguish it would cause would be Devastating to anyone Viewing it, even to the point of Blindness.
By jay1
October 27, 2010 2:24 PM | Link to this
D-nm, I still can’t get that Horrible picture of Trammell Having sex and filming it out of my mind, I just hope these Don’t surface,The mental Anguish it would cause would be Devastating to anyone Viewing it, even to the point of Blindness.
By smoke-mirrors
December 25, 2010 10:39 AM | Link to this
The city of Trotwood brought in the SCLC out of fear in an internal investigation on two officers when kids on a bus said the officers said racist remarks. That is not internal anymore and after the SCLC was busted Trotwood could not be trusted to do an internal. Yes the SCLC was corrupt and Trammell is a convicted felon.
By lesAffesteMum
June 26, 2011 8:17 AM | Link to this
Pienso que no sois derecho. Discutiremos. Escriban en PM.
By lesAffesteMum
June 26, 2011 10:35 AM | Link to this
I can not take part now in discussion - it is very occupied. I will be free - I will necessarily write that I think.