Michael Johnson Answers Questions

Candidate for
Member Council; Village of Greenhills

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?

I feel the time has came to build a light, rail system for the whole region, not just the I-71 corridor, but a system that will serve all of the regions citizens. I understand that this would be an expensive proposition, but in a county that can find nearly $500 million dollars to build a home for an athletic team to play 10 times a year. Then certainly we can find the necessary resources to build a light rail system to system to ease the traffic burden in our region, decrease automotive pollutants and promote corporate and industrial growth along the transit lines.

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 do not agree with any county funding of political campaigns. This money would invariable come from the taxes that people are paying or from a source the county could use in lieu of tax receipts. I would agree to limits on campaign funding and restrictions on the use of the "soft money" or issue oriented spending that is simply being used to promote a particular candidates position or to refute their opponents position. With regards to disclosure, I feel that every candidate should make an accounting of every dime that is received, and from whom. Further, I feel that honesty and integrity must return to the political process, and I would support legislation that would prohibit and punish campaign advertising that is knowingly false, or deliberately misleading.

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

I think that land use planning before a zoning decision is made is a good concept. If we have an idea of what the planned use for the land was before the request for zoning change comes through, that would help our representatives, and the community make an informed decision. The most important part of any zoning change is that is be openly debated, that all sides get a fair and equitable hearing and that if necessary we allow the people to decide in the form of a referendum or charter vote.