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Residents urge council to reconsider air show arrangements and question new public‑comment rules
Summary
Two residents used the public‑comment period to criticize newly read public‑comment instructions and to press the council to renegotiate its agreement with the Dayton International Air Show and restrict tent/chalet use or require higher payment.
During the public‑comment period at a Vandalia City Council meeting, residents raised concerns about newly read rules for public remarks and urged council to reconsider the city’s relationship with the Dayton International Air Show.
Jack Froshower of Castle Road criticized the new preface the mayor read before public comment, calling it “condescending” and saying it discourages citizens from speaking. "Prior to remarks for the concerned citizens ... it's condescending and it's discouraging," Froshower said.
Froshower then focused on the city’s annual arrangement with the Dayton International Air Show. He said the city’s tent/chalet guest list has become improperly used over time and asked the council to reconsider the city’s exchange of services and privileges for what he described as insufficient compensation. He said he had seen no public report showing a demonstrable return on in‑kind support the city provides and suggested the air show should pay a flat fee—he proposed $100,000 for two chalet tents—or more directly share revenue with the city. Froshower said he planned to raise the issue in advance of the February contract with the show.
Barbara Spurgeon of 777 North Edge Drive said she has attended council meetings for years and that the new restrictions on how residents speak made her reluctant to comment. "It's almost made me feel like ... I better not go up there and speak," she said, urging elected officials to restore previous practice.
Council members acknowledged the comments. Several said they value public participation and that workshops will continue to allow more in‑depth discussion. The mayor and council did not take immediate action on the air‑show contract during the meeting; Froshower said he would submit remarks in advance of the contract discussion scheduled for February.
