|
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
Qualification,
Priorities,
Accessiblity,
Recycling,
Housing
Click on a name for other candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
|
1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit)
|
Answer from Brigid Kelly:
A lifelong Norwood resident, I have a strong academic background in business and desire to be a true public servant for citizens of Ward 2. I will work tirelessly to ensure the interests of my constituents are pursued and that Norwood remains a safe, desirable place to live and work.
Answer from Cassandra N. Brown:
I have served as the Ward 5 councilperson for Norwood for four years. My experience in banking and business development uniquely qualifies me to assist in the development of small businesses in Norwood. I have been able to work with other council members for the betterment of the city, even as I have been a minority member.
|
2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)
|
Answer from Cassandra N. Brown:
We need to better manage our city finances. Our city leaders have not been open to the opinion of the State Auditor, and so no major changes have been made to relieve the city from the deficit we are experiencing. More openness of this process is needed. Our business development priorities need to also focus on Montgomery Road. Small businesses are struggling in Norwood. We can see that by the empty storefronts on Montgomery Road. We need to offer business incentives and improve the Pike to encourage business development.Finally, we need to solve the "quality-of-life" issues that plague our neighborhoods. These issues decrease our property values. We need to offer incentives for home improvement and keep crime out of our neighborhoods.
Answer from Brigid Kelly:
I'll work within constraints of tax limitations set by citizens. Spending must be controlled; financial agreements with developers should be open for public scrutiny and yield financial benefit to Norwood citizens. Basic financial planning is necessary to ensure spending doesn't exceed revenues.
Occupancy laws must be enforced, preventing disturbances in residential areas. Passage of ordinances holding landlords responsible for repeated offenses of a disorderly house must be investigated and implemented to protect homeowners.
I'll support Norwood police in strict enforcement of drug laws. The city's emergency plan should be reviewed and distributed to citizens. Council must listen to citizens' concerns.
|
3. What steps would you take to ensure that all public facilities are accessible to people with disabilities? (100 words limit)
|
Answer from Brigid Kelly:
All public facilities must be in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Building Department must identify public facilities that are not accessible. If these facilities are not accessible, funding must be obtained to make them accessible.
Answer from Cassandra N. Brown:
Our public facilities in Norwood have meet most of their goals for accessibility. However, we need to encourage everyone to be involved in this process. Our faciliies need constant maintenance. Access to our police and fire departments are not appropriate for the disabled. We need to realize these problems and work as a team to make the changes happen.
|
4. What specific steps will you take to expand recycling services in your community? (100 words limit)
|
Answer from Cassandra N. Brown:
Many more people in Norwood now recycle. However, that may be because there is a mandatory charge for it. However, it is beneficial to the environment to practice recycling. I would, with our next Rumpke contract negotiations, look for us to pay less for recycling and to incentivize our residents to reduce their garbage output so we pay less tonage fees. It will reduce our fees all around.
Answer from Brigid Kelly:
Citizens are paying a mandatory fee to recycle. The city can communicate the benefits of recycling through regular mailings to citizens in the quarterly water bills. Additionally, the city can place recycling containers in public places, such as city buildings and parks so that the option to recycle is always present.
|
5. What steps would you take to provide affordable housing for all residents of your community? (100 words limit)
|
Answer from Cassandra N. Brown:
Norwood is proud for all residents to call Norwood home. We want to make sure the affordable housing offered in Norwood is safe for those living there. Our building department and health department work diligently to ensure this quality of housing. Through better code inforcement, we can improve this safety even more.
Answer from Brigid Kelly:
Property taxes must be strictly regulated. Preference should be given to those who have made a longstanding commitment to living in Norwood rather than to those who are property speculators intending to leave within a short time. Affordable housing must also be safe housing and there is a need to require inspections of rental properties on an annual basis.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.
| 
League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
