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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
Qualification,
Priorities,
Accessiblity,
Recycling,
Housing
Click on a name for other candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit)
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Answer from William E. De Luca:
I am a current 6th ward councilperson 3 terms elected with positive results. I have been instrumental in re-developing Norwoods future that will contribute millions of dollars in new needed earnings tax. Own and operate my succesful family restaurant in an area that no one would consider positive.
Answer from Amy M. Hoosier:
My professional background consists of my 12-year employment at USA Today newspaper, where I am Regional Marketing Manager. I currently manage the sales department for a 4-state region and my responsibilities include expense and budget management, strategic planning and targeting, high-level customer interaction, sales, and personnel management.
Answer from Betty Howard:
I am an independent thinker who has been active and involved in Norwood most of my life. I owned and operated a business for 11 years, served on the Citizens Car Show Committee for 9 years and made tough decisions on the Planning Commission for 6 years.
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2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)
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Answer from William E. De Luca:
Like most people, I do not enjoy paying taxes. Norwood is faced with an opportunity to change its perceived status while increasing its revenue base. This would help fund programs that would improve our much needed infrastructure and add needed personnel in departments such as police, building and health departments. Unlike my opponents, I do not or would never support the idea or individuals as in the past that have the mentality of borrow today and worry how to repay later. I feel it is important to put a quality minded "machine" (re-development) if you will, in place that will continue to add to our revenue base and spin off smaller type of new businesses. I have negotiated and planned key developments that have and will continue to place Norwood on a map of "where to be" and where property values have record increases while increasing our revenue base.
Answer from Betty Howard:
As an independent voice on City Council I will have only one special interest - the residents of our City. I will listen to all sides and welcome different points of view. I will act with the urgency to get Norwood on firm financial footing again. it is time to address issues, not increase your water and garbage fees. I have been and will continue to be an advocate for responsible development. To insure that Norwood remains an independent City we need independent council members.
Answer from Amy M. Hoosier:
Norwood's financial issues need to be looked at on several planes, budget, expenses/costs and revenue/income gains. I believe there are several areas left to review to cut costs, but mostly to gain additional revenue, particularly regarding earnings tax income. The street repair program, is virtually extinct and needs to be re-instated within budget guidelines and a more fervent effort to gain state grant monies to do so. Regarding development projects, we need to pass the needed legislation through to get those projects in limbo started up so we can start gaining revenue and tax income from these properties. We also need to put into place a plan on gaining new development projects that make sense and enhance our community.
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3. What steps would you take to ensure that all public facilities are accessible to people with disabilities? (100 words limit)
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Answer from Betty Howard:
The City of Norwood's public buildings are currently ADA accessible. If I found our area was not in compliance I would support setting aside .5% of the budget to rectify the problem.
Answer from William E. De Luca:
Comply as quickly as possible to ensure every citizen can enjoy and use all public ally owned property. I have supported legislation that would help make it possible to apply for grants that would help fund properties that have not or do not comply with the people with disability act.
Answer from Amy M. Hoosier:
Public facilities currently must be in line with current legislation regarding the people with disabilities act. A review of current facilities should be maintained annually to ensure that this remains so and any facilities not in accordance with the laws and standards need to be addressed in as quickly a time-frame that can be.
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4. What specific steps will you take to expand recycling services in your community? (100 words limit)
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Answer from Amy M. Hoosier:
The current recycling program is pretty extensive in that all households are charged for the service. Wither it is then used is up to the household. We need to encourage more households to do the program since it ends up saving the city money as more participate. If possible, I'd like to initiate some sort of short-term incentive program, particularly to rental buildings, to begin recycling and continue it. This would be one way to cut an expense overall.
Answer from Betty Howard:
Norwood currently charges 100% of homeowners for recycling, whether they do so or not. I would support programs to educate our residents on the benefits of recycling.
Answer from William E. De Luca:
I have passed legislation encourging people to recycle and personally have done public service announcemnts showing people how easy how we all benefit from it. I will continue to investigate ideas on how we can implement programs that our ever growing commercial business district can participate.
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5. What steps would you take to provide affordable housing for all residents of your community? (100 words limit)
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Answer from Amy M. Hoosier:
I believe Norwood has many rental opportunities at lower income levels and is not one of our areas we need to focus on improving (at least not to provide MORE lower-income rental opportunities). I believe the city's higher focus should be on QUALITY rental housing and taking action on those rental buildings not up to building and health codes. If these laws are enforced and action taken, the properties will improve and the rental community will have a higher standard of living.
Answer from William E. De Luca:
Norwood housing stock is made up of 54% rental properties. My goal is to reverse the trend and to encourage owner occupied dwellings. People tend to care about their property more if they are owner occupied. I beleive that we need quality minded housing inspectors to do thw will of the people.
Answer from Betty Howard:
The community of Norwood has always been and continues to be a leader in affordable housing in the tri-state area. My efforts will be focused on maintaining our already wonderful neighborhoods and protecting our homes.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.
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League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
