League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 6, 2007 Election
	Michael Earl Patton Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Cincinnati

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? (50 word limit)

I know the issues, have the right priorities, and have the analytical skills and background to accomplish my goals. I face up to issues -- the population loss, high poverty rate, loss of industry, large corporate hand-outs, uneven and harsh enforcement of petty laws, and ever-increasing energy prices.

2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)

I have already started. The first and most important is that the people be told what is happening. On council I could do even more of this, visiting and working with community councils and with non-profit organizations. I can build coalitions with other council members to stop sweetheart deals and will publicize any that I am asked to approve. I will be a full-time councilman who will work with the city's employees.

I will encourage industries to stay and more to come, not by handing out money but by carrying their legitimate concerns to the full council and encouraging action.

3. State three actions that you recommend to promote regional cooperation, and explain how you would implement each action? (150 word limit)

First, I would be a full-time councilman and would be available to discuss matters with other officials.

Second, there is already some regional co-operation in place with the public library system, which is county-wide, and we should build on that. There are other possible areas. One is the multiple fire departments in Hamilton County which mean station siting is often inefficient and consolidated purchasing, with attendant savings, is impossible. Another are the City and County park systems that overlap. And, there should be a regional mass transportation system that is funded by the whole county, not just the city.

Regional cooperation will come in stages. Point out the gains by combining purchasing, knowledge, experiences, and eliminating overlap. If only a few municipalities are interested, work with those.

Third, I will always remember that I would be a Cincinnati councilman. I will not give away the city's assets. "Only strength can cooperate...(Over word limit)

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 1, 2007 17:18
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