League of Women Voters of Ohio
Hamilton County, OH November 4, 2003 Election
	Leslie Ghiz Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Cincinnati

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

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. How would you implement your top priority?

I will make sure that services that are currently provided to the CPS are not cut through the 2004 budgeting process. Health and recreation services provided to the CPS must be enhanced through budget shifting, and I will begin working with the business community to develop a tutoring and mentoring program for CPS students. Corporations and small businesses can release employees, with pay, to do volunteer work in the CPS on a weekly basis, the city simply needs to manage the program.

2. Numerous important issues including transportation, land use planning, housing and economic development for the Greater Hamilton County regions are being deliberated by OKI's Land Use Commission and Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission and Planning Partnership COMPASS; how engaged should local government be in these planning activities? If elected, how would you participate in these planning activities?

As the central business core of the surrounding areas, Cincinnati should and must be involved in planning activities. However, under no circumstances should the city interfere with development outside its four walls. Doing so can be detrimental to the entire business community. Participation in these activities is currently done through the appointment of a council member to the OKI board. I will participate through that council member.

3. Ohio Department of Natural Resources in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Recycling Coalition conducted a state-specific study and found recycling businesses in Ohio generated $650.6 million dollars in state government revenue. If elected how would you promote recycling and support recycling programs currently in place in your community to reduce solid waste generation?

I would like to see the city's current recycling program remain in place. During the past few budgeting cycles, recycling is considered for elimination. The program is excellent and is a benefit that not many cities provide to their citizens. Not to mention, it cuts back on solid waste in our community and ultimately saves the taxpayers' money. I will work to cut the city budget without sacrificing such a valuable service to the citizens.