League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 3, 2009 Election
	Cecil Thomas 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)

My experience in law enforcement and in the field of human relations has afforded me unlimited opportunities to work with a diverse group of citizens, particularly those with divergent social and economic backgrounds. More than 36 years of public service have prepared me for my transition to elected office.

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

I strongly support Agenda 360, specifically because it focuses on addressing issues regionally. Cincinnati is at a crossroads; geographcially we are in a prime location and have access to many critical resources, but we must think and look outside the box. An example is the Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV). I actively sought out what other cities were doing and looked at a Boston crime initiative, which we revamped to fit our needs. The result was that CIRV was created and is still generating results in reducing crime.

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)

Support more collaboration with current businesses located in the city to promote ways to grow their business thereby increasing employment, neighborhood revitalization, and generate more revenue for our tax base. Two examples are the collaboration between the City of Cincinnati and Graeter's and Western-Southern's Tower at Queen City Square. Expand our technology to focus on shrinking city government without sacrificing the delivery of quality services to the citizenry.

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

City Council has been working to enact a viable solution to this ongoing issue. The Chronic Nuisance Ordinance is an attempt to hold irresponsible property owners accountable. However, there must be a balance so that responsible landlords are not penalized for the actions of a few.

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

Cincinnati's focus will be to continue to develop mixed-income neighborhoods, and to address the high concentration of poverty and low-income housing in certain communities. There must be ongong discussion with the local housing authority to ensure that they are meeting the required goals with regard to affordable housing. Accountability at every level; from the city, housing authority, landlord, and tenant, is an absolute to ensure the success of this effort.

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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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