Candidate for
Council Member; City of Cincinnati

Fiscal Responsibility: One of the hallmarks of my campaign is fiscal responsibility. This is the most critical issue facing City Hall. Over the last several years, Cincinnati's revenues have greatly outpaced expenditures. The deficit this year was projected long before it was reported in the press. Last December, the projected budget anticipated a $54,000,000.00 deficit by 2012. Yet, City Hall did nothing to avoid the economic catastrophe we presently face.

City Council has transitioned from a tax and spend mentality to today's spend and spend more mentality while trying to figure out what else they can tax. A red light tax, a trash tax??? This practice must end. City Hall must recognize that it cannot spend itself to prosperity. It must set realistic expectations as to its projected revenue and cut spending until the city again has better economic times.

The general fund surplus has been depleted year after year to make up budget shortfalls. City Council has relied on the general fund to make up for the imbalance in the budget for years. Now, when we need the fund the most, it is no longer available.

Simply, this practice must end. Fiscal responsibility must start at City Hall, instead of just seeking additional taxes from the people of Cincinnati. When elected to City Council, I promise to oppose any proposed budget that relies on surplus funding to balance the budget.

Back to Basics: City Council needs leaders willing to promote fiscal responsibility and ensure government provides its services efficiently and effectively. We must measure success of city programs and departments to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. City Council must renew its focus on providing core services needed to make Cincinnati safe and attractive to residents, businesses and visitors alike. The quest to find new ways to tax Cincinnati's hardworking citizens must end!

We must get back to basics. In 2008, Cincinnati had 75 homicides. This was up from 68 homicides in 2007. The people of Cincinnati are giving up hope that Cincinnati is a great place to live, work and play. A symptom of the problems is spilling into Hamilton County + loss of population. (Cincinnati Enquirer, March 19, 2009). Over The Rhine was recently named the most dangerous neighborhood in the City. (Cincinnati Enquirer, June 22, 2009). Every morning, the media reports another murder overnight.

When fighting crime, knowledge is power. We must collect real-time data to allow law enforcement to study and compare trends through the measuring of statistics. There is no separation of neighborhoods or targeting of one particular area of town. The statistics will speak for themselves and demonstrate what is happening around the city. Through this mechanism the City of Cincinnati will be able to track criminal activities and trends daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly as well as better deploy its safety resources.

We must give our police and fire departments the means to do their jobs. Without their dedication the city will continue to decline. None of us will be safe in our own neighborhoods.

Repopulate, Revitalize, and Reenergize: Since 1970, Cincinnati has lost one-third of its population. Other similar cities, such as Columbus, Louisville, Lexington and Indianapolis have gained population. And while the mayor has held the US Census accountable to keep accurate figures, what is being done to move Cincinnati forward?

Cincinnati is rich with both cultural and historical assets that many cities would love to possess. City Council must focus on problems that directly impact the quality of life of its residents. It must focus on cleaning up blighted neighborhoods and create communities where people feel safe regardless of the time of day.

Recent stories in the press have focused on bed bugs, lead paint, and the city's failure to act as a developer of troubled properties. However, these problems are all symptoms of the larger problem of population loss. Cincinnati's success must be measured by whether or not people demonstrate that this is a city where they wish to live, work, and play.

Despite the city's stressed budget, quality of life must include an emphasis on safety and cleanliness. We must adhere to the theory that broken windows and vacant streets lead to a greater opportunity for criminal activity. It is City Council's duty to the citizens of Cincinnati to keep the city safe.

City Council must work to provide opportunities to Cincinnati's youth to ensure that they remain here and not flee to "hipper" cities. We have amazing assets with historic neighborhoods, parks, and amazing art and cultural institutions that would be revered anywhere in the nation. We must build upon this foundation of success to improve the quality of life of all our residents.

City Council must also increase the number of businesses in Cincinnati. From 2000 to 2005, Cincinnati lost nearly 8,000 jobs. As the tax structure is so dependent on income tax to maintain itself, this development makes it important to focus on bringing jobs back to Cincinnati. As such, I propose focusing on getting back to basics and bringing industry back to Cincinnati. City Council must look to again develop brownfield properties to provide industrial jobs to its citizens, allowing them to earn a working wage. We must again focus on developing trades in which people can work.

Cincinnati must also target another Fortune 500 company to lure to the region. Cincinnati must be seen as an advocate for businesses and not a more costly alternative. Companies must again look to this region as where they want to be because of its ideal location and affordable market.

TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD A BETTER CINCINNATI! With your help, we will!!!!