BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON -- The city's recent string of controversies has at least one benefit, city officials and political pundits have said: Interest in the political process has replaced apathy.
Already, two women, Cathy Mick and Ida J. Hawkins-Banks, have submitted their names to City Manager Richard Hayward to replace former Councilman Michael Coyan, who resigned Sunday. Basing his estimate on the number of inquiries, Mr. Hayward said he expects a dozen or so applicants seeking to complete the term, which ends in 2001.
"The controversy has all of a sudden created a lot of interest on people's parts to become involved," Mr. Hayward said. For a while, residents "were very comfortable with the way things were moving along. . . . (Now) they want to be a part of returning the city back to normal."
Mrs. Mick is no stranger to the recent controversies. She was treasurer of People for a Brighter Future, which led the recall effort against former Councilwoman Mary-Ann Cole. She has rarely missed a council meeting in the past six months, and frequently addresses the board.
During the contentious May recall campaign, Mrs. Mick said she knocked on more than 2,000 doors and listened to what the people want.
Mrs. Mick, 37, strongly supported a $5 million telecommunications project and said she favors continued, but controlled, growth. Despite her role in the recall, Mrs. Mick said she thinks she can work with all the council members.
At Tuesday's council meeting, Mrs. Hawkins-Banks, 37, led council and the audience in prayer. She said she decided during the meeting to run for the vacant seat because "I love this town." She said the council needs to develop a plan so that it protects the city's heritage while preparing it for the 21st century.
"I don't want (the city) to outgrow itself faster than it's equipped to handle it," Mrs. Hawkins-Banks said.
Mr. Hayward said he expects council members will interview prospective candidates. They must vote to select someone within 30 days of Mr. Coyan's June 9 resignation.
Whoever is appointed will have a daunting task. Consider:
Mrs. Cole was ousted from office May 26 during the first recall election in the city's 196-year history. John McComb was elected to take her place and was sworn in Tuesday. Voters aimed to break up a four-person bloc on council that included Mrs. Cole and Mr. Coyan.
Tuesday, council voted down two contentious proposals: to place the telecommunications project on the November ballot, and to fire Mr. Hayward. The move capped six months of fighting about the issues among council members.
On Sunday, Mayor James Mills, the city's first black mayor, filed a racial discrimination complaint against the city and its law director, Bill Duning, with the Dayton chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. That complaint is being forwarded to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
Mr. Mills and Councilman Mark Flick brought a lawsuit Tuesday against their fellow council members, seeking a permanent injunction against any reorganization and thus allowing Mr. Mills to retain his mayoral seat.
Warren County Common Pleas Court Judge P. Daniel Fedders is expected to rule on the dispute before council's next meeting, June 23.
