Chris Monzel 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?

The rate of homeownership in the city of Cincinnati is thirty-eight percent (38%), well below the national average of sixty-six percent (66%). City Council needs to address this issue through enterprise zones and home ownership incentives such as the homesteading projects and Citirama to lure people back to the city. Programs to provide residents with low or no interest loans for their down payment and tax breaks to encourage residents to live in the city need to be pursued.

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?

I would move to advance regional approaches to area wide issues. Cincinnati is the largest municipality in the region and should be the leader in this process. City Council should be aware of its perceived inability to lead and reach consensus on regional leadership issues rather than stay on the sidelines. We should capitalize on that leadership to develop sme framework for dialogue, cooperation, and exchange of ideas in regional approaches for these issues.

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

Cincinnati needs an expanded convention center. Cincinnati needs to be a regional destination that combines its cultural and athletic facilities with a first class convention center. Private funds should be the major starting point for the expanded convention center. With business leading the way and a combination of local bonds and a hotel tax, the Convention Center will make Cincinnati the destination for both individual tourists and a variety of businesses and social events.