BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DAYTON, Ky. -- Weary of hearing their peers complain that there's nothing for them to do, a group of local teen-agers hopes to improve the situation through political activism.
This week, about 15 Dayton teens will go door-to-door, passing out fliers that urge residents to vote for the proposed Dayton Community Center tax levy on Nov. 3.
The tax of 50 cents per $1,000 valuation would cover operational expenses of a proposed 18,000-square-foot community center, to be built at Second and Berry streets, city officials said.
The owner of an average home, valued at $50,000, would pay $25 a year if the tax is approved.
"This is not just going to be for the youth of Dayton," City Administrator Dan Groth said. "It's going to be a true community center with a lot of good programs for everybody."
Earlier this year, the Youth Leadership Development Advisory Council successfully lobbied Dayton City Council to adopt uniform curfew hours during the summer, when school was out.
The youths also persuaded city officials to prohibit beer sales in city parks, except during special events benefiting youth programs, such as the annual Music Fest. Dayton City Council recently gave its initial approval to the change, and the final vote is set for Nov. 17.
"(Beer sales) had always been a concern of ours, but the kids put the issue on the table right in front of our noses and forced us to address it," said Dayton Councilman Don Seifert.
Barb Horsley, the adult who leads the Youth Leadership Development Advisory Council, said the teens got the idea to fight beer sales in the parks while meeting in Gil Lynn Park last summer.
As the group sat in the park, a beer truck made a delivery, prompting the teens to wonder what kind of message that sends to Dayton children.
"It sets a bad example for little kids," said 15-year-old Brandy Spradlin, a youth council member. "It makes them think they can't have fun unless they drink."
For their latest foray into politics, the teens are passing out 5,000 fliers, printed for free by Saratoga Printing, that urge voters to support the proposed community center tax.
The flier, written and revised by the youths after consultation with city leaders, tries to clear up some misconceptions about the proposed center.
While the community center would give Dayton youths a safe place to go, it is for everyone in Dayton, not just youths, the flier says. The flier also states that a yes vote would help pay for the operation of the center, not its construction.
Grants, local donations and other non-city funds would pay for the building, and the proposed tax would not be collected until funding is secured to build the center.
