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 Top Priority, Planning, Recycling

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Mary Benken:

Depending on your own interests and circumstances, this question could be answered in many ways # Taxes, Recreational Needs, Development Issues, etc. We as Council Members are elected as the representatives of our Community. As such, I believe it is our responsibility to become as informed as possible on all the issues. There are no easy answers and the decisions are never made in a vacuum. They must grow and mature with our most current knowledge of the issues. We have many tools such as the Master Plan, surveys, citizen input through conversations, letters, and public hearings, and the administration and staff input that we utilize and consult regularly. I will continue to stay abreast of the facts and work to the best of my ability with the other members of Council to see that Wyoming remains "The Place to Live"

Answer from Barry S. Porter:

Balance the City's Budget as operating expenses are increasing and tax revenues declining. Seek new revenue sources for infrastructure and capital improvements by taking advantage of State and Federal grants an other available governmental funds. Explore various operating efficiencies and cost cutting strategies. Seek purchasing alliances with other governmental bodies and continue to create new financial disciplines and maintain those currently in place

Enhancing Wyoming reputations a premiere residential community. Help protect and enhance a major community asset, the Wyoming School district, by working with the school system to crate operating efficiencies and joint recreational facilities. Enhance the ambiance of the public areas and the attractiveness of the business districts. Engage the surrounding communities to work jointly with Wyoming to enhance our common borders. Upgrade recreational facilities and activities for all segments of our populations, while maintaining our current tax base.

Answer from Stanley J. Streeter:

1. The primary challenge facing City Council during the next two years will be to locate and efficiently manage the funds necessary to sustain the high quality of basic city services we presently enjoy and to maintain the community's infrastructure at the level we have to come to expect. Traditional funding sources from the State will likely diminish in the short term. City Council will be faced with a number of difficult decisions as we work to determine the appropriate tax level to maintain this quality

2. The proposal to create a new Community Center along Springfield Pike in place of the existing Civic Center has the potential to be a significant asset for Wyoming. Council must ensure that the facility and programming will benefit all segments of the community. The Council must also ensure that a viable and realistic business plan is in place before taking this proposal to the voters

Answer from David J. Savage:

As always, the key priority is maintaining Wyoming as a highly desirable and livable community. For Council, I believe that the priorities for the next two years will be financial management and infrastructure maintenance. Sound financial management has helped Wyoming weather the recent recessionary storm. As we look ahead we need to continue to monitor our projected revenues, and carefully budget expenditures based on sound planning. We also have a need to maintain an aging infrastructure. Street re-paving, facilities upgrading, and equipment replacement are not "Hot Button" issues, but they need to be done. Public maintenance work, combined with private reinvestment is highly important in improving property values. Finally, we must maintain and improve the quality of the various programs we offer to our residents. We need to have the quality that people expect and desired.

Answer from Vicky Zwissler:

Top priority facing Wyoming and all Ohio Municipalities is revenue shortage. Changes at state and federal levels are creating a loss in municipal income. Coupled with the slumping economy, this is a challenging time for leaders at all levels as decisions have become increasingly difficult. Council will scrutinize expenditures and evaluate levels of service which can be maintained at current municipal income levels or be faced with increasing revenue. Growth and improvements for the community are in jeopardy unless revenue increase. The community needs to provide input to Council at this critical time

The Recreational /Community/Center Professional recommendation are at conclusion stage and ready for presentation to Council. Current Recreation programs are at capacity, we cannot continue or grow without expanded facilities and staff. The community has asked for increased facilities WITHIN City Limits. Voters will be asked to approve funding for this project in the near future.

Answer from Daniel Burke:

The continued improvement of recreational options and facilities is one of my priorities. I believe that a combination of grants, donations and your tax dollars will enable the City to facility this improvement. Over the past few years I have supported improvements at the recreation center, new playground equipment in City parks, and plans to build a skate park in the spring of 2004. The use of your tax dollars was reduced on some of these projects by a variety of grant funding. A successful recreation department offers options for all residents and I will continue to promote options that cater to every demographic

I believe that the City's current policy of purchasing and demolishing dilapidated homes from irresponsible property owners is a poor use of your tax dollars. I will continue to vote against his policy wile promoting vigilant building code enforcement against irresponsible property owners

Answer from James T. O'Reilly:

As a teacher and former police officer, I know that improved housing conditions can influence the quality of life for neighbors, students and the community. I want all residents to feel the sense of pride that comes with living on a well-kept street. Wyoming's current rental properties need close evaluation of their code adherence and maintenance, to assure all residents that deteriorating conditions which diminish local pride will not be tolerated. Sound, clean and well maintained housing protects the investment we all have made in our neighborhood quality of life.

Answer from James T. O'Reilly:

I was delighted to attend the COMPASS Music Hall kickoff and am pleased to keep in touch with planners through its website. Local officials owe it to the voters to look carefully at the future and make plans now for appropriately funding of future improvements. My service on the Smale Commission in the 1980s showed me that stormwater issues need more attention. Wyoming will have a savvy liaison to MSD to get our stormwater hotspots remediated more responsibly.

Answer from James T. O'Reilly:

Wyoming's child-friendly recycling website, at Wyoming.oh.us/recycle, was a key accomplishment of my term as chair of the city solid waste commission, for which Tri-County Press selected me as one of ten local unsung heroes of 2002. My textbook on recycling is a national reference standard and my lectures and articles are widely used. I have encouraged placing recycling containers in sports facilities and soccer fields. As Public Member of the county solid waste board my work on recycling promotion and waste reduction has been praised.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.