League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 3, 2009 Election
	Greg P Harris Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Cincinnati

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

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

I have a successful career working in education and public policy, including managing community and youth development organizations. My voting record affirms my commitment to the environment, educational and economic opportunity, improved healthcare access and attacking poverty.

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

Blight

There are over 1700 blighted buildings in Cincinnati. I spearheaded a comprehensive plan to increase funding for their demolition or rehab.

Streamline Government

Cincinnati and Hamilton County are mired in a 19th century form of government. With 49 different political jurisdictions, we are a highly bureaucratic region that is ill-equipped to compete in a 21st century economy. I'm developing legislation to consolidate several city-county services and agencies.

Environment

My record includes expanding bike trails and initiatives to clean Cincinnati's polluted air. I also voted for the passage of the Environmental Justice Ordinance that will protect low-income neighborhoods from pollutants.

3. What two actions would you promote to enhance city revenue or decrease city expenditures in order to balance the city budget, given the current economic conditions? (100 word limit)

Cincinnati and Hamilton County are mired in a 19th century form of government. With 49 different political jurisdictions (Cincinnati is just one of these 49), we are a highly bureaucratic region that is ill-equipped to compete in a 21st century economy. There is no excuse for so much waste and duplication in government services at the city and county levels. The only way we can generate resources to make this city thrive is through (1) cost savings achieved by government efficiencies and (2) long term economic development strategies as defined by GO Cincinnati and our Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan process.

4. What steps should the local government take to ensure that the quality of rental property meets minimum legal standards? (100 word limit)

The city must enforce chonic nuisance ordinance laws that hold landlords accountable to community standards. We must ensure that CMHA is issuing all its vouchers (demand currently exceeds supply) to reputable and accountable landlords. I voted for the redevelopment of Fay Apartments, which will be upgraded in terms of the size of its units, the safety of its grounds, and the services offered its 3000 tenants. I supported new funds for permanently supportive housing for those transitioning out of homelessness.

5. What actions should Cincinnati take to ensure a range of housing choices for residents, including affordable housing? (100 word limit)

I am currently supporting a new policy direction that includes incentives for market rate rental housing development (in the past, the focus has been on ownership incentives). GO Cincinnati pointed out the the diversity of housing choices in our city is poor.

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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.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 27, 2009 14:53
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