League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
	Hamilton County, OH November 4, 2008 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Commissioner; County of Hamilton; 4 Year Term Starting 1/2/09

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 Pressing Issues, Implementation Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What are the two most pressing issues you will face if you are elected? (50 word limit) Answer from Todd Portune: The top two issues are, first: how does the county provide the leadership and service required of counties in the 21st century when facing the budget difficulties that Hamilton County is? Second: what must the county do to make it an attractive place for people to live, work and enjoy? Answer from Ed Rothenberg: we need to reduce county spending. most governmental entities tend to be inefficient and wasteful. I am sure I will find plenty of examples that could be corrected. for example, over the years the county has increased its employee base while our population has decreased substantially. you have got to scratch your head to wonder how. in the private sector, when customers decrease, you decrease your employees. I would follow the lead of dusty rhodes, the auditor, by reducing employees by not filling a job when an employee retires or quits. the exception would be if the job is essential or are security type jobs. the second issue would be to build a no frill 500 bed jail with no increase in taxes. It would be inexpensive enough to finance it with a long term bond and the payments would be less than a million a year. thus no increase in taxes would be required. this is a safety issue and a priority. but due to the bad economy, do this project would have to wait until things get better 2. How will you address each of those issues? (100 word limit) Answer from Todd Portune: We must maintain a tight control on spending; collaborate with others; and share assets and services with other governments. We must make strategic investments that grow the county [and county revenues without raising taxes] by producing business opportunities and jobs. Our leadership agenda must make the county an attractive place to live, work and play by targeting improvements in regional public transit; attack the lack of health care and our high infant mortality rate. We must continue foreclosure prevention assistance; create new jobs and invest in environmental practices that reduce our carbon footprint while utilizing alternative energy. Answer from Ed Rothenberg: obviously, I would introduce the ideas to the other commissioners and try to get the press involved. I would also sign a resolution stating I would never try to increase taxes without a vote of the people. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer must not exceed 100 words. 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.