League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 8, 2011 Election
	Carolyn A. Betts, MBA/JD Answers Questions Candidate for Fiscal Officer; Township of Columbia

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What services do you believe should be considered basic and essential for the township?

Fire, rescue and policing. Garbage, recycling and trash/yard waste collections. Road and sidewalk maintenance. Maintenance and beautification of public properties. Enforcement of township codes. Support for local employment, businesses and entrepreneurship. Transparency in reporting to residents of township operations and finances. Coordination with neighboring jurisdictions in programs that benefit township. Advocacy with the county/state in matters affecting township residents.

2. How would you balance the Township Budget?

I support the fire and rescue levy as an alternative to our being brought within the Silverton/Deer Park levy system by default, although, in general, I would see raising of taxes as a last resort. I would like to see a continuation of the township's efforts to bring in new businesses like the sand volleyball lot, particularly in currently-vacant commercial areas like the old K-Mart property. I would look into whether foreclosed properties and/or escheated properties may be available for land banks, community gardens, business uses and public-private partnership uses that might have a positive effect on township revenues or costs.

3. What actions will you take to support clean air?

This is not my issue as a fiscal officer except to the extent that it affects township finances. Nevertheless, as the mother of a highly-allergic high school student whose successful career in vocal performance will depend upon the health of his vocal cords, lungs and sinuses, I am concerned about radiation, smog, litter, water fluoridation, "dirty" electricity, genetically modified and adulterated foods, noise and other types of pollution of our environment and bodies. Townships have limited control over these matters, but change starts with modeling positive and responsible behavior in all township operations, facilities, vehicles and properties. Using township website and other communications with residents as a bully pulpit to promote health and well-being, encouraging community gardens and LEEDS-certified and other "greening" within the township and facilitating community action and investment groups to support such causes would be another type of positive action I would support.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits may apply. See individual questions for specific word limits. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. Please edit your work before submitting. We are unable to provide spell-check at this time.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 23, 2011 12:36
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