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Public commenters urge divestment from weapons production, immigrant protections and report alleged stalking; Miss Dayton Teen USA seeks sponsors
Summary
During public comment the commission heard calls to withdraw city support from businesses tied to weapons production, requests to protect immigrants, reports of targeted harassment, and a sponsorship request from Miss Dayton Teen USA.
Several residents used the public‑comment period to raise community concerns and requests.
Cassidy Allen, identifying herself as Miss Dayton Teen USA 2025 and a student at Centerville High School, asked the commission for sponsorship support for an “ad showcase” book. Allen provided contact details and itemized ad prices and staff told her to leave information with the clerk for follow‑up.
Two speakers addressed Dayton’s ties to defense and international affairs. Max Abigail Bowman urged the commission to “pull Dayton’s involvement in aiding Israel's arms production,” to stop grants from the Byrd Foundation to local businesses, and to dissolve the Dayton Regional Israeli Trade Association (DRITA) or otherwise end local participation tied to overseas weapons production. Bowman also urged broader local changes such as adopting more family restrooms and protecting immigrant residents; those items were framed as requests rather than city policy actions in the meeting record.
Alec Johnson, speaking for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, criticized local and national support for Israel and NATO, said the city and county “relentlessly support the Dayton Regional Israeli Trade Association,” and urged elected officials to oppose actions he characterized as undemocratic. His remarks referenced national incidents and legal concerns; they were presented as constituent opinion during public comment.
Sonia Higgins said she lives on Lawrence Avenue in Dayton and described a pattern she called “gang stalking,” alleging advanced‑technology harassment that has caused health effects; she said she had been hospitalized multiple times and requested that staff look into her situation. Staff asked her to leave contact information, and a staff member said they would follow up.
Responses and follow up Commissioners thanked public speakers and, in the case of Allen’s sponsorship request and Higgins’ complaint, indicated staff would accept information and follow up. No formal commission action was recorded in the transcript on the policy requests raised about DRITA, the Byrd Foundation, or local contracting practices. Speakers’ requests were framed as appeals to the commission rather than as motions or directives the commission adopted.
The commission’s public comment period closed and the meeting moved to commissioners’ closing remarks and announcements about community events.
