League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 8, 2005 Election
	Chris Bortz Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Cincinnati

Questions & Answers

1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit)

My qualifications for office are highlighted by my time spent as an English teacher and current position as General Counsel for a development company. However, to be an effective council member, one needs more than an excellent resume. Members of council should be honest citizen-legislators who put Cincinnati first.

2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)

If elected I plan to immediately attack crime. Council cannot attack the problem of crime while attacking the police. Council members need listen to the needs of the police department and give them the resources it needs to implement both a short-term and long-term remedy.

To do this, council needs to recognize its role as a legislative body that is designed to implement plans brought forth by experts in those specific areas, not micromanage and promote individual agendas. Only then will council be able to dynamically respond to problems such as crime, while simultaneously promoting economic growth.

3. What steps would you take to ensure that all public facilities are accessible to people with disabilities? (100 words limit)

All new public facilities should be accessible not only to the disabled but to every person who wishes to use, enjoy, or participate. Existing public facilities should be reasonably modified so as to allow for equal and open access for everyone. With that in mind, I plan to make sure that existing building codes follow the guidelines laid out by the federal and state judiciary.

4. What specific steps will you take to expand recycling services in your community? (100 words limit)

Recycling not only helps the environment, but positively affects the state and local economy. If elected I plan to ensure that recycling services are available to every neighborhood in the city. I also will promote the use of recycled materials in public and private buildings and will work with public and private institutions to maximize energy efficiency.

5. What steps would you take to provide affordable housing for all residents of your community? (100 words limit)

First and foremost council must approve aggressive legislation that dramatically increases the authority of the city to condemn abandoned property, punish building code violators, and strengthen the effectiveness of the Buildings and Inspections Department. Secondly, Council should work with local experts to develop tax incentives, educational programs for first-time homeowners, and project-based tax increment financing to benefit all residents of every neighborhood. And finally, Council should include affordable, attractive, and safe housing alternatives in a comprehensive, economic development strategy while continuing to support the rehabilitation of the unique existing housing stock.