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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
Qualification,
Priorities,
Economic,
Rental property
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 John M. Altman:
My qualifications include: My legal education, training, and experience; my service on a school board district advisory committee that studied Ohio property and income taxes; my work on the successful campaign to save the fire department; and my volunteer work, as a coach, for the local recreation association.
Answer from Cortney Scheeser:
1)14 years of Business experience can help the Village operate more efficiently. 2)Fresh Perspective. The Village is facing difficulty + fresh ideas are needed! 3)Plugged in, thanks to my kids. Allows me to sense what's going on. 4)I am passionate about Mariemont and will work tirelessly for its Citizens.
Answer from Jeff C. Andrews:
I've worked in the financial industry for nearly 20 years with small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. I've been active in the community. My experience and personality will allow me to serve Mariemont well. I will be honest and candid. And I will be respectful of everyone and their views.
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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 Cortney Scheeser:
Budget: Enroll Citizens to help make the right, tough choices. We've begun this work at Scheeser.blogspot.com Zoning: Leave all provisions of current `Residence D' but limit height to 40' to the roof line, resulting in 3 storeys required by Developers while being sensitive to much smaller single family homes. Transparency: Retool Village communications to 1)more clearly educate the Citizens on Village matters and 2)add avenues of communication from Citizens to the Village.
Answer from Jeff C. Andrews:
- Work to ensure Police Chief Hines has the resources needed to protect and serve Mariemont citizens. Fully understand the impact of the current officer vacancy.
- Work with the Board of Education to ensure Mariemont remains one of the top school districts in the country.
- Support operating the village with a balanced budget. Find the most appropriate ways to trim expenses, but also identify ways to generate additional revenue without forever increasing tax burdens on residents.
- Support development and zoning that is appropriate, such as Residence D.
- Be respectful of all residents and their views.
Answer from John M. Altman:
As to my first priority, the budget, please see my answer to the question below. Turning to my second priority, police and fire protection, my plan is plain and simple that while on Council, I will not vote for any resolutions proposing to eliminate police officers and/or firefighters. Also, a police officer position was vacated earlier this year through a retirement and it remains unfilled--I support filling this position. As to my final priority, the bike trail, I propose forming a citizen committee to conduct a feasibility study and survey public opinion on connecting to the Newtown trail head.
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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)
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Answer from Jeff C. Andrews:
To be confident we're efficient and effective with village finances, especially with current economic conditions, every area of the budget should be reviewed. However, since salaries and benefits make up nearly three quarters of our expenses, we'll need to seek savings in these areas to close the projected budget gap.
To increase village revenue, we should assess moving the tennis facilities near the pool and rezoning the corner of Plainville Rd and Madisonville Rd for commercial development and business use (or other similar ideas).
Answer from John M. Altman:
If the tax levy passes, the finances stabilize for 5 years. If the levy fails, however, the deficit increases. According to Council's Minutes, budget cuts will result in cost savings, but such cuts will not solve the deficit. The Village proposes two options: (1) Reducing staff coverage, increasing garbage fees, and canceling the landscaping contract; or (2) reducing the earnings tax credit by 0.5%. I believe other savings might be achieved through furloughs, retirement incentives, and competitive bidding for services. I will endeavor to work with the Village and the public to reach the appropriate formula for balancing the budget.
Answer from Cortney Scheeser:
1)As Village Employee Salaries and Benefits account for over 80% of the General Fund, review $1000 Council Salaries and the 2% Village Employee raises in a year where cost of living/inflation will be below 0%. 2)Pass through Rumpke's rate hike (August 2009) to Citizens via Garbage Sticker program, paired with Recycling/Composting education.
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4. What steps should the local government take to ensure that the quality of rental property meets minimum legal standards? (100 word limit)
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Answer from John M. Altman:
The Village's "Kirkwood" law generally provides for tri-annual inspections by the Village Building Department. These inspections are to determine the suitability of the living conditions of rental units. I support the Kirkwood legislation as a useful tool for the Village to ensure that rental units meet minimum habitability standards. I also support the Residence D zone, which in my view, is an opportunity to encourage the redevelopment of non-historic rental property into modern rental units and condominiums.
Answer from Cortney Scheeser:
I would implement a Carrot and Stick approach. Carrot: We should review the 2-4 Family Income Tax "hurt" Mariemont landlords feel. Stick: we should then demand more from these landlords and aggressively issue citations for poor property conditions.
Answer from Jeff C. Andrews:
We should review and revise our rental property standards as appropriate. The Kirkwood legislation, passed about five years ago, allows for inspections every 3 years. However, inspections are only allowed when there is tenant turnover. This legislation was helpful in allowing the Village to ensure certain standards are met. It was challenged in court and finally resolved to become the current legislation. It should be used and enforced by the Village.
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
