League of Women Voters of Ohio
Hamilton County, OH November 4, 2003 Election
	Christopher Smitherman Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Cincinnati

The questions were prepared by the LWV Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. How would you implement your top priority?

The remedy for Cincinnati's downward spiral is to establish, develop, and maintain healthy, respectful relationships between the City, its residents, its workers, its customers, and the region. I will implement my top priority by bringing Americans together to directly discuss their perspectives with one another. Honest yet considerate dialogue breeds clarity, dignity, and cooperation among individuals, neighborhoods, etc. for identifying and promoting mutually agreeable results. Active cooperation/collaboration is essential for producing long-term resolutions in Cincinnati.

2. Numerous important issues including transportation, land use planning, housing and economic development for the Greater Hamilton County regions are being deliberated by OKI's Land Use Commission and Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission and Planning Partnership COMPASS; how engaged should local government be in these planning activities? If elected, how would you participate in these planning activities?

Local government must absolutely engage in Greater Hamilton County regional planning activities. Cincinnati government is obligated to envision the "big picture" which includes transportation, land use, and economic development. Clean air, green space, and job creation directly correspond to these issues. The availability of clean air in our valley impacts citizen health. Green space contributes to the City's presentation to its residents and its visitors. Job creation is a key provision for raising families

3. Ohio Department of Natural Resources in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Recycling Coalition conducted a state-specific study and found recycling businesses in Ohio generated $650.6 million dollars in state government revenue. If elected how would you promote recycling and support recycling programs currently in place in your community to reduce solid waste generation?

I support recycling 100% and am honored to receive an endorsement from the Sierra Club. I will support recycling as a Councilmember by insisting upon its continuation. It is a disgrace that removal of recycling services is even being discussed. I will work with Sierra Club and other stakeholders to investigate feasible options for promoting and/or expanding current recycling services. Any proposal for improved or new services must involve active and tangible implementation.