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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
Qualifications,
Addressing priorities,
Regionalism
Click on a name for 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 Mark J. Fitzgerald:
Experience as a local government manager, director of economic and community development corporations and consultant to local government for over 30 years.
Active in chambers of commerce and professional associations.
A good listener: to the community; to the staff; and, to my council colleagues.
Answer from Paul E Elliott:
Sixteen year Loveland resident. Loveland business owner & employer. Current member Loveland City Council & Finance Committee. Former member Recreation Commission. Community affiliation with local schools, athletic and recreational programs, church, and arts & cultural organizations. I consistantly advocate for the residents' communication & involvement, and always welcomed citizen input.
Answer from Todd A. Osborne:
Outside of 6 years, I am a lifelong Loveland Resident. I grew up in Loveland. I want to keep that flavor and feel while moving Loveland forward, making Loveland a STRONGER and BETTER CITY.
Answer from David M. Kothman:
I've lived in Loveland for 20+ years, so I know what residents want from government. We want good basic services without wasting money. (23)
Service with Loveland Community Improvement Corp. gives me awareness of Loveland's economic and civic development needs.
Most important, I will listen to the people of Loveland.
Answer from Arnold S. Bellush:
I have years of experience in public service including 3 years as a Manalapan Township Committeeman, 8 years as the Chairman and a Commissioner of the Western Monmouth Utilities Authority and 2 years as the Technical Assistant to the Director of Water Resources of the NJDEP.
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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 Todd A. Osborne:
As one of the 7 councilmembers, 1)re-examining the contractual agreement with MSD, making sure that Loveland residents receive the best bang for their buck when it comes to water and sewer service; 2)Bringing the Loveland Madeira Road business district alive with redevelopment, with the goal of lowering property taxes with strengthening the Business zones; and 3) by looking out for the frivolous spending (which we have greatly reduced over the past 4 years)
Answer from David M. Kothman:
I will bring a spirit of true collaboration to City Council. I will work to end the bickering and personal animosity that have hampered Council's ability to do the people's business.
I will focus on the basics -- providing city services (police/fire, water, streets, trash, parks/recreation) at the highest levels with the lowest cost to the taxpayer.
I will work hard to save money, and I will pursue public/private partnerships to get more out of each tax dollar.
Answer from Mark J. Fitzgerald:
Be fully engaged in monitoring and evaluating the work of those reporting directly to Council: City Manager, Law Director and Finance Director.
Promote initiatives that position Loveland to compete for new residents and businesses and keep those already here. As Ohio and the region lag in growth it is vital to achieve a competitive advantage so the services people have come to expect can be maintained without more taxes.
Be a responsible steward of the public trust by advocating innvesment in neighborhoods and protecting public assets
Answer from Paul E Elliott:
Continue to advocate for citizen communication & input into their own local government. Actually listen to those who pay the taxes, raise their families, invested in their homes. Always welcome comments and guidance from the residents, it is their city. I will continue to ask the "hard" question, seeking the true bottom line for the taxpaying public. It is their money that is sometimes so friviouly spent by City Hall. I oppose unbridled growth in the name "progress". We need to get our own house in order before we annex any further land into the city.
Answer from Arnold S. Bellush:
Improving Loveland-Miamiville Rd. from the stop light at the St. Columban church intersection, past the Loveland school, to the city limits. Residents need a safe crossing of the Bike Trail on East Broadway Street. Reduced visibility makes this crossing unsafe, especially at dusk. A well marked crossing with flashing signals, similar to the safe crossing of the Bike Trail on East Loveland Avenue will protect runners, walkers and bikers by alerting drivers. The future of Loveland depends on our ability to provide utilities to designated growth areas. We must regain control of our utilities; both their planning and permitted access.
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3. State three actions that you recommend to promote regional cooperation, and explain how you would implement each action? (150 word limit)
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Answer from David M. Kothman:
Regional planning with our surrounding communities will not only be a priority, but will be a fact of life in the coming years. Loveland will remain a high-growth area; people will continue to want to come here to live. And why shouldn't they? Loveland is a truly wonderful place to live and work.
We will need to work closely with representatives of our neighboring townships and municipalities, but at all times keep the expressed needs of the people of Loveland at the core of our planning and policy.
Answer from Todd A. Osborne:
I would encourage communication. We're neighbors. We eat, drink and shop at the same places. There's no need for being negative and argumentative. We all have a common goal: Enjoying the community that we live in.
I would encourage group purchases of everyday common items each community needs, such as salt, electric, paving, vehicles and infrastructure needs.
I would encourage listening and then following through with goals set forth by committees and the legislative bodies, like city council.
Answer from Mark J. Fitzgerald:
1. Be active in entities such as the metropolitan planning organization (OKI), county planning agencies, state and county municipal leagues, initiate dialogue with the township trustees' and clerks' association (the forms of government differ but the issues we face are similar).
2. Expand dialogue state-wide. The region's well being effects each local jurisdiction; the State's well being effects both. Local officials must be more involved in dealing with the legislature because too often local government is caught reacting to legislation that has adverse impact and it is too late to do anything about it.
3. Work to form alliances and partnerships among government, education, community and business groups.
Answer from Paul E Elliott:
The enacting of common zoning codes for development so that our separate communities are not pitted against each other. Too often developers & speculators shop around for the least stringent code and/or zoning board. This alone would eliminate much of the animosity so often occuring between neighboring geopolitical entities.
Loveland and its surrounding communities share common interests and concerns: of the vitality of the Little Miami River, traffic congestion, and environmental pollution.
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. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
