League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 8, 2005 Election
	Karen G. Koetzle Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; Village of Mariemont

Questions & Answers

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

18 years of residency in the Village. Owner of rental property in the village ...rentals make up 40% of the village. Background in business, property management, personnel mgt, business/company finance, marketing, home safety, ADA, landscaping, real estate ownership.

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

Open communication between council, residents, businesses, owners. Review all areas that are draining the village financially. Review services provided by the maintenance, tax, police, and fire departments.

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

With a background in the ADA, and as an Occupational Therapist, I do know that public structures are to be accessible, if it is structurally possible. Meeting rooms may need to be re-located in order to accommodate people with physical challenges; or additions - such as an elevator- may need to be considered to comply.

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

We currently have a good recycling program. No changes are needed.

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

Affordable housing is an issue in the village. Mariemont's rental properties are taxed at 43% higher than a house, or up to a 3 family dwelling. Until the legislators at the state level determine that this is an unfair format to tax residential rental units at a commercial rate (same level as Keebler) rents will continue to remain significantly high in the village. This is not experienced in communities that have a larger commercial property sector - such as Cincinnati, or Sharonville.