League of Women Voters of Ohio
Hamilton County, OH November 4, 2003 Election
	Michael H. Bolte Answers Questions Candidate for Trustee; Township of Harrison

The questions were prepared by the LWV Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. How would you implement your top priority?

Continuous review of all responsibilities is needed, with input from the community. The failed 2002 operating levy for police, fire and medical services placed a mandate on Trustees to live within established funding. Current safety services, therefore, must continue to address the needs of the community. The approval of the Special Public Interest Strategy to guide developers in the design of buildings, landscaping and roads in two portions of the township was much overdue.

2. Numerous important issues including transportation, land use planning, housing and economic development for the Greater Hamilton County regions are being deliberated by OKI's Land Use Commission and Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission and Planning Partnership COMPASS; how engaged should local government be in these planning activities? If elected, how would you participate in these planning activities?

Harrison Township has already moved a step in the right direction with the implementation of their Special Public Interest Strategy. SPI, in conjunction with citizen input, guides developers in the design of buildings, landscaping and roads in two portions of the township. The continuous review of this strategy, along with the Harrison Township Comprehensive Plan, is necessary to maintain the rural atmosphere that the citizens of Harrison Township envision and have desired in their community.

3. Ohio Department of Natural Resources in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Recycling Coalition conducted a state-specific study and found recycling businesses in Ohio generated $650.6 million dollars in state government revenue. If elected how would you promote recycling and support recycling programs currently in place in your community to reduce solid waste generation?

The promotion and support of recycling programs are important due to the overall and long-term impact upon a community. Rumpke Waste Collection Services is the main provider of waste collection for the township. Continued interaction with Rumpke to provide recycling programs is necessary. Also, exploring grant opportunities and working with the Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District to educate the residents and business owners within the township to reuse, reduce, and recycle is important.