August 28, 2007 - Volume 16, No. 35

a Winkler Company publication

Also featuring photos from our monthly supplement...

Louis Lott's tribute to
Frank Lloyd Wright

A kick and a jig

Photo by Leon Chuck
www.pressboxphoto.com

Liam Jackson (So) celebrates with a traditional Irish folk dance at midfield after scoring the third goal for Oakwood in the first half against Miami Valley.

See sports page for full soccer story

DMHA director sheds light on heated issue

By Lance Winkler

It was a ”full house” at the Oakwood City Council meeting on Monday night as residents from Oakwood and Kettering came to hear Greg Johnson, director of the Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority speak about the Section 8 housing program, the public housing program, and the differences between the two.

The meeting began with two status reports preceding the DMHA presentation – one on Hawthorn Hill – the other concerning the proposed Public Safety Dispatch system.
In a paid advertisement opposing the dispatch center (Aug. 28) in the Oakwood Register, a 7.5 mill levy was claimed as being a source of funding for the proposed dispatch system. This was stated to be incorrect. According to county officials, user fees will charged to each jurisdiction on a per call basis for the first three years at a fixed cost. A preliminary site for the Countywide Dispatch Center was given as a building located in Miamisburg. A second backup site will be the existing Montgomery County Dispatch Center located in downtown Dayton. A presentation by City Manager Norbert Klopsch and Safety Director Alex Bebris will be presented to the city council at their next meeting on Sept. 17.

Wright Family Foundation President Stephen Wright and Dayton History Director Brady Kress appeared before council to announce the opening of the Wright family estate, Hawthorn Hill, to guided tours starting on Saturday, Sept. 1 (see article on page 1).

DMHA Director Greg Johnson was then introduced along with numerous other officials present. Johnson’s presentation was in response to the articles and letters in the Oakwood Register in recent weeks concerning the scenario of Section 8 and public housing being introduced into the Kettering play east of Shroyer Road and bordering Oakwood.

Johnson described the differences between Section 8 and public housing. Section 8 vouchers are handed out to DMHA clients who may take them anywhere private landlords accept them as part of the rental agreement. DMHA does not act as a landlord. Also, a landlord can refuse Section 8 vouchers if he chooses.

Public housing on the other hand, is owned, operated and managed by DMHA. Both options take a 30 percent portion of the tenant’s income for payment and the rest is subsidized by DMHA. Tenants qualify for Section 8 if their income is less than 50 percent of the Average Mean Income (AMI) in the area in which they choose to live. For public housing, it is 80 percent of the AMI in the area.

According to Johnson, there were 75 applicants at the DMHA doors at 8 a.m. this morning looking for housing. There are also currently 600 on the Section 8 waiting list and 1700 on the waiting list for public housing according to Johnson.

Johnson also said that in Montgomery County, there are currently a total of 3,625 public housing units serving over 3,500 families.

Council member Stanley Castleman asked Johnson about American Disabilities Act (ADA) standards compliance and if the units are up to those particular standards. Johnson answered in the negative. “We have not met that yet,” he said.

Jay Weiskircher gave a short presentation on Oakwood’s housing and property ordinances and explained they are fairly stringent to maintain the quality of the properties in Oakwood. Weiskircher also allowed that there have been about 200 property violations served on Oakwood residents so far this year.

Chief Alex Bebris then his presented his side of the story and declared that the crime statistics for 2002-06 were fairly stable and the perception that the crime rate was going up is “misinformation” and “not the case.”

“This is not a racial issue, it is a crime issue,” said one visitor invited by Mayor Judy Cook to come up and speak her mind.

Oakwood resident Nevin Wagner came up and described his bad experiences with being a Section 8 landlord in the past. In all about a dozen speakers stepped up to the podium.

In describing the teardowns of large housing developments and sprinkling the displaced residents throughout communities in the Miami Valley, DMHA and other officials present termed the action deconcentration, which is apparently what is going on right now in Kettering and other suburban locations around Dayton.

“Oakwood for now is a tempest in a teapot,” said John Kennel regarding the Section 8 issue. “But 20 years from now it might be very important in this community.”

The next formal meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17, 2007.

Hawthorn Hill opens for tours

Are you captivated with the history of flight? Would you be fascinated by a glimpse into the mind of Orville Wright? Do you enjoy visiting beautiful historic homes?

Starting Saturday, Sept. 1, guided tours of Hawthorn Hill will be conducted on Wednesday and Saturdays for those who have made advance, prepaid reservations. Tours will depart from Carillon Historical Park via shuttle van promptly at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. This unique experience is limited to no more than 10 visitors per tour so space is limited. Regular ticket price is $12 per person. A special combination ticket for admission to both Hawthorn Hill and Carillon Historical Park is available for $15.

Hawthorn Hill was the home of flight pioneer Orville Wright for 35 years. His father, Bishop Milton Wright, sister Katherine Wright, and his faithful St. Bernard, Scipio, were all residents of Hawthorn Hill at different time in its history.

This joint venture between Dayton History and the Wright Family Foundation marks the first ime that the mansion will be accessible on a regular basis for members of the general public. Call Guest Services for additional information or to make your reservation at 937-293-2841 or toll free at 1-877-BE-HISTORY.

top of page

August 28, 2007
Volume 16, No. 35

front page
arts
schools
sports
editorial
'round town
people
events
obituaries

The
Oakwood
Register
937-294-2662

Be sure to pick up this week's print version of The Oakwood Register for your free guide to upcoming art and cultural events!

This is a special pull-out section inside the August 28 issue of
The Oakwood Register newspaper and is distributed
to all residents of Oakwood and available
at many of your favorite local retail shops, banks, restaurants,
waiting rooms, libraries, etc...