League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton, Clermont, Warren Counties, OH November 8, 2011 Election
	Mark J. Fitzgerald Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Loveland

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?

I have thirty years experience serving local government having previously worked as a local government manager and in the field of economic development, first as executive director of economic development corporations in Ohio and Maryland, then as a consultant to local governments. I began my career with the Dayton Urban League specializing in housing and community development issues. I then became the first executive director of a non-profit development corporation in Xenia, Ohio where I grew the organization from a housing and neighborhood revitalization entity to a full service economic and community development agency. I was also the first executive vice president of the Economic and Business Development Corporation of Montgomery County, Maryland. In addition to my community and economic development experience, I have also served as Services Director of West Chester, Ohio, Village Administrator of Lockland, Ohio, Township Administrator of Union Township, Clermont County, Ohio and City Manage of Loveland Ohio. Currently I provide strategic management and economic development services to industry and local government.

2. What services do you believe should be considered basic and essential for the City?

Development and implementation of a strong economic development program is key to a city's health. By attracting and retaining jobs and creating an environment conducive to redevelopment and new development, the local tax base will grow. In turn, these increased revenues will allow the city to continue providing excellent public safety services including police, fire and EMT, as well as enhancing quality of life through recreation programs and public works.

3. How would you balance the City Budget?

The City of Loveland budget is balanced and always has been. In fact, Loveland has historically maintained substantial reserves, something that I intend to see continue. The City has taken affirmative steps to reduce costs across the board in recent years. This too is something I intend to see continued.

It is my goal to assure services are maintained with taxes and fees kept in check.

4. What actions will you take to support clean air?

I support a focus on green initiatives such as the proposal now before City Council to install solar panels to augment electric power to the City Water Works.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 5, 2011 17:56
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