League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 8, 2005 Election
	Charles H. Johnson Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Forest Park

Questions & Answers

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

I have served on the Forest Park Charter Revision commission, I am currently a member of the Forest Park City Council. I currently Chair the Forest Park Planning Commission and the Forest Park Public Improvement and Facilities Committee. I represent Council on the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Environmental Awareness Board.

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

In order to address the three top priorities, I will introduce legislation (ordinances/resolutions) that will provide (A) additional policemen that will bring our force up to the necessary fifty(50) officers from the current thirty-four (34) officers (B) Increase the current firefighters/paramedics to at total of twelve full-time for three shifts per day which brings the total force to thirty-six full-time as opposed to the current force of fifty-five, twenty-tour of whom are part-time (C) Increase the current public works department from twelve to fifteen full-time employees. This can be done with the increased amount of taxation that will come from the additional businesses that we have been able to attract to the city. This should not require any increase in local income taxes.

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

I am Chairperson of both the Planning Commission and the Public Improvement and Facilities Commission. We currently have codes and ordinances that require that facilities meet all guidelines regarding accessibility for disabled persons. I am certain that our laws go beyond those required by state and federal laws. We strongly urge owners of non-public facilities to adhere to these guidelines also. I will continue to make this a priority.

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

For many years, we have had an Environmental Awareness Program Board of Directors. I am the liaison from the City Council to that Board. The Board has an aggressive award-winning recycling program of which the city is understandably proud. I will continue to urge my colleagues on council to fund this program so that it can continue to educate our citizens on the advantages of recycling.

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

When developers come before our Planning Commission seeking approval of plans to build housing units (single or apartments) one of the considerations is the affordability of that housing for our citizens. As chairperson of the Planning Commission, I am proud of the success we have had in assuring that affordable housing is "not" a problem in our community. Additionally, we have been and are aware of predatory lenders and we are working closely with area realtors to curb such activities.