This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/oh/hm/ for current information.
LWV League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund

Smart Voter
Hamilton County, OH November 2, 2004 Election
Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
Treasurer; County of Hamilton

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 Qualifications, Top Priority, Pressing Issues

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

1. What are your qualifications for office?

Answer from Bob M. Drake:

Bob Drake holds a doctorate from Indiana University in Mathematics Education. Economics was a secondary field of study.

Answer from Robert A. Goering:

With a background of 23 years in the Treasurer's Office I bring solid experience. Programs I've instituted include monthly pre-payment of taxes, acceptance of credit card payments, internet access to public records and distributing more than 25 million in unclaimed funds.

2. How would you implement your top priority?

Answer from Robert A. Goering:

The most pressing issues are: Budgetary Restraint and Customer Service. Over my last 13 years as the County Treasurer, the office has continued to "do more with less." We have cut the general fund expenses of the office over 5% in actual dollars, while increasing taxpayer service through the unclaimed funds dispersal, credit card use, internet access, and Treasure Optional Payment Program. I want to continue this service to the citizens of our great county.

Answer from Bob M. Drake:

By permitting taxpayers to make monthly property tax payments, the interest from those early payments can be returned to each individual home owner. The net effect is to lower each property owner's taxes. This is done WITHOUT COSTING THE COUNTY ANY REVENUE!

3. What do you see as the two most pressing issues you would address if elected? What plans do you have relative to those issues?

Answer from Bob M. Drake:

Implementing the Bob Drake Tax Break, as described above, will permit property owners to lower their property taxes without affecting the county budget or reducing services.

Hamilton County has more than $55 million dollars in delinquent property taxes. Using a Tax Certificate Lien Sale, I can collect ALL of that money without filing foreclosure on property owners (a time consuming and expensive process), and collect it more quickly. This money would benefit schools, police and other emergency services paid for by property taxes.

Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer must not exceed 75 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.

This Contest || Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter || Feedback
Created: December 15, 2004 13:40 PST
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund.
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.