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 Saint Bernard; Ward 4

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 Bill Rice: I am a life long resident of the city that I beleive understands what needs to make St. Bernard a city of choice for families and businesses. My business education and expereince provides me the foundation to make decisons that are reached based on knowledge, reason and experience. Decsions need .... Answer from John R. Estep: I have the experience as the former mayor and educational background to address issues that our city faces . We must operate the city for the citizens and provide a future for the next generation.We must hire / appoint the most qualified people in order to streamline services . 2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit) Answer from Bill Rice: I will strongly advocate for the strict enforcement of all building codes to make properties actractive and viable. The poition of HIP inspector must be given the tools and the authoirty to make this happen. This wil help attract new familes as well as increase the property values of current residences. I will lead the charge to make sure that absentee landlords are held to the same if not a higher standard as all proepty owners and that they are contacted diretcly about concerns that involves their property and/or tenants. Finally, I pledge that I will have fiscal responsibility at .... Answer from John R. Estep: I will appoint / hire people with a proven background to do a professional job.We must operate in a more professional manner to be prepared when the revenue starts to dry up.The city is currently starting to act on plans that I tried to implement several years ago when I was the mayor.We must do away with the infighting and small town politics if we plan on making progress that will save our wonderful community. 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 Bill Rice: While I am in office I will never vote to spend our city into a deficient postion. There are suffcient resources to grow our city without over spending. I will strongly support all potential revenue generating options that will grow our base without over whelming our citizens. Answer from John R. Estep: Our revenue is currently higher than it has been in the past and the current leaders are doing nothing to save for the future or investing in the city in a wise manner.I believe the seven mill levy should be taken off of the books since this is unfair to our senior citizens and other taxpayers. 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 Bill Rice: Rental property issues is a top priority for me. Rentla properties should be a primary concern for the HIP Inspector; insuring that thay are up to code and well maintained. Additionally we need to empower citizens to contact their council person with concerns on rental property and/or tenants so that they can be addressed properly and immediately. Answer from John R. Estep: We have departments that have that job to do and we could collaborate with other cities similar to our demographics to see what they have done to fight this problem.It seems to be a problem nationwide and we should never compromise our standrds that will promote decay in any neighborhood. 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.