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.

Answer from Eric Minamyer:

Seeking fourth term. Former member of school board and Great Oaks for six years. Attorney for 29 years. Former member County Board of Zoning Appeals and Juvenile Court Referee. Senior Naval Officer served in the Middle East during Desert Storm and Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Special Deputy Sheriff; Rescue Diver.

Answer from Phil Beck:

Registered Architect in Ohio with 21 years of project management experience on public development, design and construction projects; Leadership Cincinnati alumnus; Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran; officer U.S. Navy Reserves (Seabees); church Vestry member; Cub Scout leader (and Eagle Scout); dedicated husband and father of three children.

Answer from Mike A. "Howell" Howell:

I am a lifetime Symmes Township resident with over 20 years of township involvement. I have been on the Symmes Law & Safety Committee and a commander with the Symmes Neighborhood Watch. For over 5 years I was President of my civic association. I have donated blood with regular recognition

Answer from Eric Minamyer:

1. Low Tax Rate - lower effective tax rate today than 1995, with increased services and facilities. I pledge to continue our conservative fiscal policies.

2. Parks - added Hopewell Meadows, the Meade House, Rozzi's, Blong Memorial Park and dozens of smaller purchases. A Veterans Memorial will be built in the expanded Symmes Park. I pledge to continue to develop parks.

3. Roads and Traffic - road resurfacing program started by voters' support of a .9 mill levy was reinstituted last year. We have worked with County Engineer and ODOT on improvements to Montgomery Road, Loveland-Madeira, Lebanon, and many others.

Answer from Phil Beck:

I will facilitate and encourage meetings and dialogue with entities that are currently present, or may locate, in Symmes Township, to provide a thriving economic community; and will vigorously defend and advance actions that are in the Township's best interest. I will support and welcome citizen participation in matters that impact their homes and neighborhoods, and will promote development of projects that enhances citizen safety and comfort. I will work to ensure that Symmes Township has the economic base and infrastructure to grow and thrive as an independent community, while balancing commercial and residential interests.

Answer from Mike A. "Howell" Howell:

Issues 1 & 2. Bring back the combined Symmes Law and Safety Committee and Neighborhood Watch into one unified group. Empower them to enact on a broad range of township issues like Polk Run flooding and come up with solutions. Embrace other similar groups in surrounding communities to be involved.

Issue 3, I would only vote on an new tax levies that involve increases to Symmes property taxes if it involved a vital safety or health issue to residents.

These are addressed in full in my position papers.

Answer from Eric Minamyer:

1. Control of Polk Run + we cooperate with other townships and cities to control Polk Run. In Symmes we purchased Blong Memorial Park in part to retain and slow down water flowing into Polk Run. There are underground tanks beneath the parking lot. We also plan to use the deep ravine next to the park to detain water.

2. Traffic concerns + The Montgomery Road Project was a joint venture by Loveland, Symmes, Deerfield, Montgomery, and Sycamore. A study of Fields Ertel Road can be reviewed by the public at the township hall. We worked with Loveland on improvements to Loveland-Madeira Road. Lebanon Road is scheduled to be done in the near future.

3. Public Safety + Symmes has Hamilton County Sheriff's patrol and Loveland has its own force, but we share a communication center. Loveland Symmes Fire Department is a joint effort. We have mutual support agreements with all neighboring communities.

Answer from Mike A. "Howell" Howell:

Level 1(local level): Establish shared aims and goal between Sycamore, Deerfield, Montgomery, Loveland, to name a few. These neighboring entities share common areas of interest. Crime, traffic, economic development, diversity, and urban development are a few areas of concern for all. Over tax residents, over crowded schools, too much traffic and too few jobs are but only a few of these.

Level 2 (at the county level): After Level 1 is accomplished, I would team up with our county commissioners and officials from Warren County to relate and further identify these shared goal and aims and attack them at broader level.

Level 3 (at the state level): In unison with the Level 1 and Level 2 accomplishments I would create a direct communication line with state authorities, in particular, ODOT to assure the issues, aims and goals are dealt with as a whole not just a local issue

Answer from Phil Beck:

1. Regular dialogue with other Trustees and Chambers of Commerce. Promote meetings and inter-community events to bolster image as a strong and independent Township, while also serving as a good neighbor. Promote zoning and recycling decisions that enhance the quality of life of residents of many communities.

2. Enhanced connection with state and local officials so that the Township's concerns are integrated into regional plans. Foster relationships with the Ohio Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Sewer District, and County Commissioners and provide comment and input on issues like flood control and road maintenance. Continue cooperating with Hamilton County Environmental Services to facilitate recycling, and coordinate with the Hamilton County Park District to maximize current and planned parks and green spaces.

3. Encourage and evaluate new and existing arrangements for provision of citizen safety and protection. Investigate other ways in which shared services and education can be maximized on a regional scale.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.