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Residents demand City Manager’s removal at Dayton meeting; manager defends record on diversity
Summary
Dozens of residents used the public‑comment period to accuse City Manager Shelley Dixie of racial bias and urged the commission to fire her; the city manager responded with diversity statistics for recent police and fire recruit classes and reiterated commitment to outreach.
Multiple residents used Wednesday’s public‑comment periods to demand the immediate removal of City Manager Shelley Dixie, alleging decisions and policies have harmed Black Dayton neighborhoods and calling the announced retirement delay unacceptable.
Speakers including Kenya Akbar, Zakiya Sankara Jabbar and Asadik Sankar Jabbar urged commissioners to hold an executive session and remove the city manager rather than allow a delayed retirement; they cited neighborhood disinvestment, policing complaints and a perceived lack of transparency. A number of commenters said they had not received requested information on the Citywide New Community Authority (NCA) and voiced concern that downtown development tools could facilitate displacement.
City Manager Shelley Dixie responded in the meeting’s closing remarks, defended the administration’s community and recruitment work and cited diversity figures for recent recruit classes: she said the police class of 2025 had 56% ethnic/gender diversity and the fire class of 2025 averaged 59% ethnic/gender diversity. Dixie said the administration will continue outreach and engagement and invited follow‑up meetings with residents to answer outstanding questions.
The commission did not take immediate personnel action. Several commissioners acknowledged residents’ concerns and invited people to meet with staff and attend upcoming sessions, including a Human Relations Council update and a scheduled July 29 public hearing on the NCA.
The meeting record shows repeated calls for accountability; officials committed to follow‑up briefings and to provide more information prior to the public hearing.
