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

Questions & Answers

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

As an engineer, a father, and a neighborhood leader, I have the experience and skills necessary to help lead our city. As a councilmember with real world experience, I bring new energy and commitment to a system that needs to be fixed.

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

First, we must make our streets safe, by continuing to support our police and community crime fighting programs such as Citizens on Patrol and Court Watch. We also need to look at new ways to fight crime + from the use of video cameras on crime ridden street corners; to mapping crime in a neighborhood; to partnering with the county to increase jail capacity. Second, we must cut taxes and remove the red-tape at City Hall to attract new businesses and homeowners to our city. And finally, we must provide the best city services to our citizens by improving the customer service, so that when a citizen calls City Hall they get action and not a voicemail.

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

We need to make sure all city-own facilities are easily accessible to people with disabilities. We need to insure that the city is thoroughly following the Americans with Disabilities Act at all public buildings.

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

First we need to continue funding our city's curbside recycling program. Then we need to work with such organizations as Keep Cincinnati Beautiful to promote recycling in our community.

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

I co-sponsored a proposal to provide a $2500 tax credit for homeowners who reside in their homes. This $2500 tax credit would be over a 5-year period, so a homeowner would get a $500 credit on their city income tax every year for 5 years. Also, I lead the effort on City Council to roll back the city portion of the property tax from 4.95 mills to 4.45 mills + one of the largest rollbacks ever. By leading the effort for tax relief to homeowners, this is one step I have done to help provide affordable housing for all residents.