League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
	Hamilton County, OH November 3, 2009 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Council Member; City of Reading

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 Qualification, Priorities, Economic, Rental property Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit) Answer from Randolph D "Randy" Fischesser: As a life-long member of the community and a 30 year member of the Reading Fire Department, I am very familiar with the operations of the city. Also, as Clerk of Council, I have been active in the current decision making process and planning. 2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit) Answer from Randolph D "Randy" Fischesser: Continue working with the Police and Fire Departments to meet their needs in serving the community. With the economic downturn effecting all levels of government, I will work diligently with the Administration to keep expenses in check while providing the services expected by the citizens. Continue persuing grant money for redevelopment of commercial and residential areas that have become rundown and/or abandoned. I will also work with current businesses to address their changing needs to keep them in Reading. 3. What two actions would you promote to enhance city revenue or decrease city expenditures in order to balance the city budget, given the current economic conditions? (100 word limit) Answer from Randolph D "Randy" Fischesser: This is a hard time for the city and some cuts may need to take place to balance the budget in the coming year. One way to meet the needs, yet increase revenue would be to charge for certain services that are currently free. These could include park shelter use, false alarm calls (police and fire), tree and brush pick-up to name a few. I firmly believe that the city had an obligation to provide police and fire/EMS services to ensure the safety of its citizens and cuts to these departments should be a last resort. 4. What steps should the local government take to ensure that the quality of rental property meets minimum legal standards? (100 word limit) Answer from Randolph D "Randy" Fischesser: This area needs to be addressed on multiple levels and through joint cooperation of various agencies. The Fire, Exterior Property Maintenance, Building,and Health Departments need to work jointly on rundown buildings to ensure they are brought up to code and the Landlords held accountable for the overall condition of the property. The Police and MHA need to work together on problem tennants and, if need be, legislation should be passed to hold the property owner responsible for their tennants behavior and actions. 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.