Diane Goldsmith Answers Questions

Candidate for
Council Member; City of Cincinnati

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Hamilton County and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. Detail policies/proposals you would advance and support to increase and improve the city's housing stock, as well as the rate of home ownership in the city of Cincinnati?

Provide and work with banks to provide low-interest loans and low or no down payment opportunities. Continue housing lottery. Educate potential homeowners and assist them in home ownership process. Designate capital dollars on creative projects such as CiTiRAMA, housing renovation and combined economic development and housing proposals. Improve planning and permit process for developers. Continue infrastructure support for efforts to convert public housing sites from rental status to ownership property for low-income families.

2. Would you move to advance or halt regional approaches to the following: public transportation, Arts council(s), management of snow removal, air quality, and water quality?

Not only would I advance these efforts but I support the inclusion of workforce development, Brownfields redevelopment(clean up of contaminated properties to provide for further development sites for business), water services, land use, education, etc. as part of the discussions of regional projects. I support the creation of a Regional Commission to oversee all regional efforts in an organized, productive manner. This includes developing a vision, a master plan and strategies for the region's future.

3. Should the Cincinnati Convention Center be expanded? If so, how should the expansion be funded?

If the city is to remain competitive, it must expand the convention center. It could raise visitor spending from $76 million to $189 million a year. Cincinnati has lost the conventions to Indianapolis, Columbus and other cities who have expanded their centers. Funding options need to be considered and discussed fully including private dollars, naming rights, Cincinnati Equity Fund, General Obligation and Revenue Bonds, revenues generated by the convention center, restaurant tax, and state capital dollars.