The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on

Click on a name for other candidate information.

Answer from Paul M. Booth:

As I listen to citizens from any given neighborhood, one common thread is the need for improvement of the delivery of basic City services. I would call for a complete review of all departments responsible for service delivery from Public Services to Buildings and Inspections. With the assistance of the Department heads and resident input I would develop a plan that would insure coordinated more effective delivery of these basic services to Cincinnati's 52 neighborhoods ...

Answer from Clarence D. Williams, III:

I would create a safety commission that would be responsible for making policy, implementing comprehensive safety service reform and incorporating Cincinnati residents in the planning and implementation phases; the OMI and CRP offices would report to this commission. I support the City Manager's ability to select executive safety officials from a broad pool of talented individuals. Community forums designed to identify safety priorities and service strategies for communities should be developed and implemented.

Answer from Todd Ward:

By working with council members and Mayor to draft vision and priority statements to truly guide the economic development department. Encourage council to make sure the department has the tools, support and urgency needed to succeed. Economic development must be proactive and forward-thinking.

Answer from Laketa Cole:

The city has a $900 million budget. We need to ensure that the neighborhoods get more money. Federal and State grants are available to help revitalize neighborhoods. I recommend that the city administration aggressively go after those grant dollars. Our neighborhoods have to be a top budget priority. The neighborhoods are something we should be proud of. We need to ensure that every neighborhood is safe, has affordable housing, litter and blight control and is livable.

Answer from John J. Cranley:

Cincinnati shootings have increased over 600% from last year at this time. In order to increase our safety I have proposed to hire 75 more street cops to fight rising crime in our neighborhoods. This proposal will increase the number of police officers for each citizen and complement the successes made by the Violent Crimes Task Force established in July. We must make safety our first priority.

Answer from William Kirkland:

Transform Cincinnati's atmosphere from protest to political accountability. Officially request Department of Justice to expand their "pattern and practice investigation into prosecutor's office. Reinstate Residency Rules for all city employees, restoring public pride and increasing tax base. Conduct Neighborhood Capital Needs assessment. Expand Entrepreneurship Opportunities, create a Small Business development fund.

Answer from John F. Schlagetter:

We must move the Convention Center, Neighborhood Services and Employment & Training into Economic Development so these deliver benefits greater than the investments. We must: aggressively market our City's transportation benefits and manufacturing history; finance renter-to-owner home conversion; stop converting single-family homes to multi-family; and baseline investment levels for all neighborhoods. We must equitably distribute the $40 million Metro bus subsidy so Cincinnati is not the only jurisdiction paying and then reduce our Earnings Tax.

Answer from Jim Tarbell:

Better communication and support from/between city council and administration, better direction of public safety programs (particularly police department) in all categories, i.e. machinery, materials, methods, and management. Particular emphasis considering current budget constraints should be placed (in Police Dept.) on assignments. special assignments versus traditional beat officers and street strength.

Answer from Ken Anderson:

I will work with the area institutions of higher learning and have them "partner" with Cincinnati Public schools. We have a wealth of talent and resources on our areas campuses working together. We can rebuild our city and education is key. Through education, we can have safer streets, neighborhood development and improve our quality of life.

Answer from Pat DeWine:

Council passed my Ordinance making it easier for homeowners to fix up their homes by eliminating building permits for minor home repairs. Council put my charter amendment on the ballot to reform the city's ancient civil service system and increase accountability in city government. I will continue to serve as a voice of reason and work across party lines to make city government more efficient and responsive to citizens' needs. I have consistently fought wasteful city spending.

Answer from David C. Crowley:

I will establish a working committee of City of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Board of Education members to provide coordination of resources and a focal point to implement community schools citywide. By redesigning schools to become ?community schools,? we can consolidate and localize neighborhood educational, cultural, recreational and support services. This estimates the costly maintenance of different facilities, and allows for the consolidation of resources and civic energies into the essential neighborhood institution.

Answer from Akiva Freeman:

First, in cooperation with the Mayor, administration, and other members of council, we would develop a plan or vision that makes our downtown a place of commerce and entertainment. Those two components should be the focus for all subsequent decisions.

Answer from Nathaniel Livingston, Jr.:

I will work to place a Charter Amendment on the ballot. The Charter Amendment will allow voters to either support the current unfair and imbalance system of taxation wherein certain wealthy citizens are exempted from paying the full tax, or reject the way we collect income taxes in the City of Cincinnati. If a majority of Cincinnatians support the Charter Amendment, the City of Cincinnati will be forbidden from collecting income taxes on city resident

Answer from David Pepper:

I have proposed the Council Leadership Commitment to improve Council's dysfunctional politics. It proposes that Council 1) meet at the beginning of the term to set a two-year agenda; 2) issue a regular, public report card on its work; 3) improve our ineffective intergovernmental relations; 4) hold regular neighborhood Town Hall meetings; and 5) work more efficiently by changing certain outdated procedures. I have asked other candidates to join in this common sense commitment.

Answer from Alicia Reece:

I have fought to add $2.2 million to keep the neighborhood clinics open fpr children and families. I introduced a resolution passed by the state for breast cancer treatment funding for low-income women in addition to passing a law allowing accommodations for city government working mothers. I will continue to fight for the passage of the health levy and school nurses.

Answer from Jane Anderson:

To address any priorities effectively, we must again regain respect for the capacity of City Council to make meaningful decisions that will solve problems. I will call for coming together immediately to set forth an agenda committed to addressing the core issues - police/community relations, economic and neighborhood development and enhanced opportunities for youth. I will work to assure a more deliberative process, including consultation with relevant stakeholders, and a timetable for decision and action.

Answer from Wes Flinn:

Since a more responsive government could solve the other problems, I would lead by example. I would have open office hours where anyone could come in without appointment, and I would also, once a month, set up a "night out" at various community centers to go directly to the people. I would encourage the Mayor and other Council members to do the same, as well as representatives of the Police Division and other City agencies.

Answer from Eric Wilson:

We need to foster faith in our criminal justice system. The way you do that is by treating all citizens with the exact same standard of justice. My example for this is major league baseball. Some people didn't want Jackie Robinson on the field but they never cheated him. As a result, society doesn't care if the umpire is black or white because on the playing field race is not part of the equation.

Answer from Theo Barnes:

I would work banks, churches and Community Council to facilitate a wide range of homeownership opportunities throughout the city.

Answer from Sam Malone:

Regionalism that benefits our area, so Council can distribute more resources to neighborhoods. A Commission that will focus on abandon industrial sites for job creation. Promote more community & police positive interaction and hire more officers. Lead an initiative to bring a Springdale Cinema downtown. Promote cultural festival that will help foster better relationships.

Answer from Tom Jones:

Focus on building relations between police and community by enhancing community policing programs. Give more control to district Commanders. Encourage hiring practices that allow persons from city neighborhoods to become officers. Upgrade police operations through the use of modern day technological advances in law enforcement operations. Provide additional police to patrol hot spots in residential business districts. Encourage police and community partnerships that can position the department for funding through law enforcement coalition grants.

Answer from Lawra Baumann:

Within the last year, I served on a committee appointed by the Mayor to make recommendations to the City to improve the development process. Over 30 recommendations were offered to streamline the bureaucracy. Included in the recommendations was the creation of a comprehensive permit review process and formation of a city team to expedite development projects within the bureaucracy. As a Council Member I will introduce a motion to adopt these recommendations.

Answer from Chris Monzel:

We must make our streets safe again. We must improve community police relations by increasing the Citizens on Patrol program to every neighborhood and by increasing the number of police walking the beat in our communities. We must improve the quality of life in all Cincinnati neighborhoods. We must fix our crumbling sidewalks, remove blight and improve our housing stock. We must improve race relations by building diversified communities of citizens that respect one another.

Answer from Minette Cooper:

Experience counts now, more than ever! As Chair of the Finance Committee, I will oversee the budget process to see that community needs are met while we seek additional funding sources to stimulate economic growth. I will: Promote police community dialogue and have more police in areas where they are needed. Encourage dialogue/cooperation between our City Government and our school system! Lead by example by bringing civility, professionalism and team building to City Council.

Answer from Dawn Denno:

Cincinnati has a very low home ownership rate. Homeowners provide stable, investment in the community. The ownership rate must be increased. Work to make Cincinnati safer, support the progress of the local schools and make City processes for buying a home easier and cost effective. I will work with lending institutions, support additional funds for housing, and establishment of an office to assist home-buyers with navigating City processes. I will push to streamline red tape.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.