"I've done what I said I would do," Turner said. "I think a tremendous amount has been accomplished."
He rattled off a litany of first-term accomplishments:
* The city's budget, which ran in the red for five years, has been balanced each year since Turner was elected.
* His Operations Improvement Task Force generated 219 recommendations for cost-savings and, he said, eventually saved the city $20 million.
* Police response time to emergencies has fallen by almost 39 percent.
* He's raised Dayton's image statewide by getting the city's name on signs on Interstate 70.
* He is working to establish an $8 million housing and economic development fund to leverage investment in projects in the city.
* Twenty-two neighboring communities have agreed to explore his initiative to establish a regional housing court for code violations.
* By the end of 1998, the police force will add 40 new officers, fulfilling his biggest campaign promise of 1993. Turner said he wants to continue focusing on crime in his next term by ensuring that Dayton officers combat the minor street crimes that lead to more serious ones.
Some critics dispute the statistics Turner heralds as promises kept, and others believe he hasn't demonstrated the leadership residents desire in their ceremonial leader.
"He came in as a fresh, bright, young voice who looked as though he would provide leadership for the city of Dayton. He's just been very disappointing," said Robert Adams, a Wright State University political science professor, who said he voted for Turner in 1993.
Democrats challenge Turner's police figures. In 1993, Turner said he would increase the force by 10 percent, which would be about 48 new officers. He now promises only 40, but says he is boosting the level of officers on the street by more than the promised 10 percent.
If the new officers do come, Democrats say Turner deserves only partial credit; police Chief Ronald Lowe Sr. and fellow city commissioners, including Tony Capizzi, pushed for them, too.
Democrats also say some of the city's fiscal restraint has been too tight, affecting some services, and they fear his development fund and housing court proposals would siphon money from basic services as well.
Adams said Turner has failed to build consensus among divisive factions in the community and has no long-term vision for the city's future.
Turner countered such criticism by saying it took leadership to make changes at City Hall, changes that certainly wouldn't be popular with a government oriented toward the status quo.
"Looking at my record," he said, "you can clearly see that I have a greater commitment to neighborhoods and doing what's best for the community. Tony Capizzi just wants to spend all of our tax money on a baseball stadium."
* CONTACT David Mendell at 225-2262 or e-mail him
at david_mendell@coxohio.com