Timothy L. Hoerst Answers Questions

Candidate for
Council Member; City of Reading

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Hamilton County and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What are your views regarding the need for public transportation in your community to promote access to employment throughout the region?

On the surface, it would seem that some form of mass public transportation would have little impact on our relatively small community. Our middle income residents probably average at least two cars per family, and the larger business within the City seem to prosper without any other public transportation other than the bus system

Certainly a light rail system would impact even our residents since we are a part of the region that would be served. The proposed rail system evidently would not directly effect us in the City of Reading, but the construction and use of the system would be a positive that would attract new businesses and employment throughout the entire region.

2. Would you be in favor of county-wide campaign finance regulations that would provide for public matching funds, limit campaign contributions and provide for more disclosure? State your opinions on these ideas; whether you would support or oppose them.

I have always been in favor of campaign finance reform but I am afraid that any public matching funds program would even make accurate reporting more complicated, and by the time the funding filtered down to we, the "little guys", there would be little left. We are currently unable to accept campaign donations from any business which is "incorporated" - even as much as $25.00. If the campaign finance laws are complied with, as written, there is adequate disclosure from small campaigns such as ours.

3. What are the benefits/detriments to land use planning prior to zoning decisions?

The City of Reading Council has recently passed a land use plan, which I favor. I also serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals. The land use plan gives the City some control over what type of business are planned and built in which areas. Zoning Regulations, working hand in hand with the land use plan, can allow a city to lay out some semblance of organization and need within various areas.

The tough issue is when to force the land use plan and "take" properties by eminent domain. The rights of the individual landowner must be taken into account when balanced against the long-term needs of the City.