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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 David A. Sams:
I have extensive knowlege of the inner workings of City government. My business experience and knowlege of our city makes me qualified to continue to lead our city.
Answer from Mark D. Culp:
Wilmington College, Bachelor's degree in Business Management. 19 years experience auditing and advising businesses on how to function more efficiently and effectively. Working knowledge of city documents, procedures, periodically attends meetings and interacts with city personnel to offer continuous improvement opportunities. Madeira Historical Society Board member.
Answer from Kenneth O. "Ken" Born:
Current member - Madeira City Council, Chairs the Administration Personnel subcommittee, member - Budget and Finance, and the Recreation Parks Committees. Past member - Madeira Parks and Recreation Board. Education: Bachelors from Purdue University, Masters from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and MBA from Xavier. Work Experience + 18 years GE Aviation.
Answer from John R. Dobbs:
I have served on Madeira City Council for four years and am running for reelection. I chair the economic development committee and am a member of the administration & personal as well as recreation & parks committee. Active in the community I volunteer my tome to numerous non-profits.
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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 Kenneth O. "Ken" Born:
Economic Development + I have worked with council to put into motion a plan that creates and encourages greater development in our downtown area through zoning changes and potential use of TIF funding.
Improve Infrastructure - Madeira is facing a number of large infrastructure demands and we must budget properly and take full advantage of a number of matching grants to keep the road and sidewalk projects within the scope of our budget.
Maintain Basic Services + focus on safety by maintaining full staffing with the police and fire departments + continue investing in our parks + keep trash, limb/brush, and leaf collection.
Answer from Mark D. Culp:
Employ proven financial risk and projected analysis efforts. Initiate an internal Continuous Improvement Program Plan. Establish a financial projection emergency fund using unanticipated revenues.
Redirect efforts towards the Central Business District (CBD) by establishing milestones and metrics. Update the CBD and Land Use Plans. Establish an Architectural Review Board. Support Planning Commission efforts. Identify historical assets.
Transfer the authority to elect the mayor from council to the people. Establish designated area representatives responsible for submitting periodic and on demand resident input to council. Reconfigure the city website to a user friendly format. Require agendas and minutes be posted in a timely manner.
Answer from John R. Dobbs:
1. Economic Development. I have helped to create an environment that encourages redevelopment of our downtown. I will continue to work to bring attractive retail, restaurants, professional services and residential options to our citizens.
2. Strong Infrastructure. Like many older suburbs, Madeira's infrastructure is showing its age. I will continue to work with council and the administration to prioritize and maintain important infrastructure.
3. Financial Security. Given proposed changes to city funding and increased difficulty in obtaining grants, it is critically important Madeira manage its budget. The city is financially stronger today because of a conservative and responsible fiscal approach.
Answer from David A. Sams:
1. We have created an environment which encourages redevelopment of our downtown. I will continue to work with the administration to maintain an environment which will encourage developers.
2. The City is in sound shape financially. At one time, we could not afford the replacement of the leaf vacuum. The City is now prepared to withstand a natural disaster. Our Police Protection, Fire Protection and recreatonal facilities are funded without levies and can continue without interruption.
3. Our streets are in good shape overall. Most of the streets have been resurfaced during the past 15 years. At one time, some of the streets were 30+ since their last resurfacing.
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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 John R. Dobbs:
1. Madeira's administration is actively involved in the First Suburbs Consortium. Through this regional cooperation we share ideas and work together to solve similar issues.
2. Madeira City Council and the administration look beyond our boarders and maintain dialog with our immediate adjoining communities. These strong relationships have enabled us to develop peer benchmarks and monitor legislation.
3. Periodically leaders from Madeira schools, churches, the city, and community leaders gather to discuss issues and share ideas. This cooperation is a strength and just one reason Madeira is such a desirable community to call home.
Answer from David A. Sams:
1. Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory has hosted a number of meetings with the Mayors of the cities in the community. I would encourage additional meetings to discuss topics of interest to both the City of Cincinnati and the City of Madeira.
2. A meeting was held of local City leaders to discuss issues which we all have in common. I have attended these meetings and have found them to be beneficial to us . At the same time, I have been able share some of our policies. I would continue to attend the meeting, and would host one in the future.
3. I have acquainted myself with numerous officials of our surrounding communities. I will continue to make acquaintances and will discuss issues which affect each of us
Answer from Kenneth O. "Ken" Born:
Being involved in the First Suburbs Consortium is an excellent forum to cooperate with other communities in the area to address and share lessons learned from similar experiences. Benchmarking other communities or examining legislation already enacted are specific ways to improve the efficiency of government.
Madeira and Indian Hills created a joint fire district a number of years ago and has been very successful. Our current council and administration are constantly keeping watch for similar opportunities to provide an efficient means of solving a problem.
Madeira recently has had a good track record of the city leaders, business leaders from the city's Chamber of Commerce, and School officials of working together and maintaining an open dialog focusing on taking Madeira forward into the future successfully.
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
