League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 8, 2005 Election
	Debbie Grueninger Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; Village of Glendale

Questions & Answers

1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit)

I have served as a Glendale Councilperson for seven years and take my responsibility seriously. I have not missed a single Council meeting in 7 years (84 meetings). I have served as chair of the Police, Fire, Streets and Laws & Claims committees as well as a member of Recreation and Public Buildings. I have been a resident of Glendale for 23 years and served in many volunteer organization in the Village.

2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)

The Village has hired a consultant to provide recommendations for the future of the fire department. His report will be forthcoming in the next few months and may provide another alternative not considered. It is my hope we can maintain our current fire department and look for ways to ensure the safety of our residents and fire fighters. The Waste Water Treatment Plant will cost the residents $4 million. An Ohio EPA loan at 2.75% requires repayment through user fees. Traditional financing would be a higher interest rate, financed with a levy, but would be tax deductible for residents. A comparison of the two alternatives needs to be made to evaluate costs/benefits to residents. Estate taxes have diminished over the years and the primary source of income is property taxes. As costs continue to climb to operate independent Waste Water Treatment Plants, Water Plants, Police, Fire and Services, we must look for ways to efficiently run our community and protect our greatest resource, our employees.

3. What steps would you take to ensure that all public facilities are accessible to people with disabilities? (100 words limit)

An elevator was recently installed in our 1865 Town Hall to allow access to the second floor. The bathrooms were remodeled to provide handicap access. The entrances to our Town Hall, Village offices and Post Office are all handicap accessible. Sidewalks provide wheelchair access and crosswalks.

4. What specific steps will you take to expand recycling services in your community? (100 words limit)

Our community currently provides recycling on a volunteer basis. Recycling bins are available for paper, plastic and glass for residents to drop off recyclable materials. Education of these facilities can be increased through the Village Website and local newspaper.

5. What steps would you take to provide affordable housing for all residents of your community? (100 words limit)

Glendale is a diverse community with diverse housing opportunities. There are apartments, condominiums and homes available to residents in a wide range of values. We must ensure that smaller modest homes are not demolished to make way for larger, expensive homes or infilling.