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

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 experience - seventeen years of local government work in a variety of positions. I also have a broad understanding of the issues and a demonstrated commitment to the success of the City. I also offer a proven ability to work as a team player and a solid track....(over word limit)

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

I want to build on the success that Montgomery has had. We have weathered the economic downturn well but we must be very vigilant. I want to work with our business community and with the new civic collaborative to increase the dynamic potential of Montgomery. I will promote sound fiscal policy, renewed citizen engagement and strong strategic planning to keep Montgomery moving ahead.

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)

Our budget right now is in good shape but I am interested in ways to attract new businesses to the City and also for additional ways to retain our current ones. We have had great success in securing grant money - I think we should continue with those efforts. We are always examining our practices to identify ways to cut costs. This is very important - small savings in many areas can add up to significant dollars. I also endorse the cooperative pur- chasing agreements we have with other government entities.

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

I think our property maintenance code is pretty effective right now, although fair and consistent enforcement is the real key. The best code in the world will achieve little if it is not enforced. Rental properties can pose their own special problems - sometimes the owners are out of state and hard to contact. Persistent enforcement sets the tone and all residents of the City benefit with a better looking environment.

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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: October 6, 2009 10:12
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