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Democratic and Republican Primaries Taking Place In Montgomery County Commissioner Race

The May 8 primary elections are heating up. Among the competitive races is the election for Montgomery County Commissioner. Both the Democratic and Republican candidates face challengers.

 

There are two challengers in the Democratic primary for County commissioner - Carolyn Rice, the current Montgomery County Treasurer, and Don Shaffer, a chiropractic physician and former Clayton City Council member.

 

 

Rice touts her experience in the treasurer’s office, as well as her work with private-sector businesses and public education. She says decisions made by the commission in the next few years will help continue the job growth seen in Dayton in recent years.

 

Shaffer says his experience as a medical practitioner and his time spent in city government will allow him to work with the other commissioners on issues such ascrime, jobs, education and the opioid crisis.

 

Those are also issues of concern for the three Republican candidates in the Republican primary for county commissioner: GaryLeitzell, Doug Barry and Bob Matthews.Leitzellserved as mayorof Dayton for four years(2010 - 2014)during an economic downturn. Both Barry and Matthews have previously served as Miami Township trustees.

 

Democrats have held the majority on the Montgomery County Commission for more than a decade.

 

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Jerry Kenney was introduced to WYSO by a friend and within a year of first tuning in became an avid listener and supporter. He began volunteering at the station in 1991 and began hosting Alpha Rhythms in February of 1992. Jerry joined the WYSO staff in 2007 as a host of All Things Considered and soon transitioned into hosting Morning Edition. In addition to now hosting All Things Considered, Jerry is the host and producer of WYSO Weekend, WYSO's weekly news and arts magazine. He has also produced several radio dramas for WYSO in collaboration with local theater companies. Jerry has won several Ohio AP awards as well as an award from PRINDI for his work with the WYSO news department. Jerry says that the best part of his job is being able to talk to people in the community and share their experiences with WYSO listeners.