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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Qualification,
Priorities,
Economic,
Rental property
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit)
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Answer from Barbara E. White:
I am able and willing to work, and I live and work in the city of Montgomery.
Answer from Ken Suer:
I have experience - seventeen years of local government work in a variety of positions. I also have a broad understanding
of the issues and a demonstrated commitment to the success
of the City. I also offer a proven ability to work as a team
player and a solid track....(over word limit)
Answer from Chris Dobrozsi:
Nine years on Landmarks Commission, graduate of the 2008 Montgomery Citizen Leadership Academy, various appointments and engagement with many citizens of Montgomery. Additionally, in my 22 year professional career, I have worked in a collaborative manner with communities and understand how a healthy community contributes to the health of a region.
Answer from Barry Joffe:
I have been a member of Montgomery City Council since 2005. I've chaired the Law & Safety Committee and served on Finance, Public works, Parks & Recreation and Planning & Zoning Committees. I previously served on the Civil Service Commission for 8 years, including 6 years as Chair.
Answer from Lynda E Roesch:
I have lived in Montgomery for 25 years. While on Council, I served on Public Works, Government Affairs and Parks & Recreation Committees. Working on Commissions and Council has made me understand the community's desire for excellence and the need for collaboration and public private partnerships to achieve those goals.
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2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)
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Answer from Lynda E Roesch:
Montgomery must be a desirable community for residents. Montgomery's fiscal position is important to stay in the top tier of communities. We have managed the financial policy so that the City would have available funds if there were a negative financial impact. To stay financially healthy, Montgomery must continue to have a business tax base. We need to ensure continued development of the historic district and Montgomery Road corridor in accordance with our zoning code. We have wonderful parks, walkways and numerous events that characterize our community. All of these are dependent on maintaining a sound financial position.
Answer from Chris Dobrozsi:
The City staff and City Council need to continue working as a unified team to ensure that Montgomery continues to be a premier residential community. I will become an integral part of this team to ensure the City: continues to provide the quality life services expected by the residents and required by the businesses; operates in a fiscal responsible manner with adequate reserves; and expands the community outreach programs like the Montgomery Citizens Leadership Academy to educate the residents for increased community knowledge/involvement.
Answer from Barbara E. White:
Talking to the residents to get their views
Working with the newly formed Montgomery Chamber of Commerce
Be a voice of change on Montgomery City Council
Answer from Barry Joffe:
I will evaluate financial actions to ensure justified expenditure and prudent fund balance policies that will sustain the city through economic downturns. Secondly, I will support development that aligns with the goals of residential diversity and business growth. Thirdly, I will continue to actively recruit talented volunteers for appointment to boards and commissions as well as the Montgomery Citizen Leadership Academy in an effort to expand resident participation in city governance. Finally, I will encourage the ongoing training and development of staff and adoption of organizational practices that achieve high performance and efficiencies in operations.
Answer from Ken Suer:
I want to build on the success that Montgomery has had. We
have weathered the economic downturn well but we must be very
vigilant. I want to work with our business community and
with the new civic collaborative to increase the dynamic
potential of Montgomery. I will promote sound fiscal policy,
renewed citizen engagement and strong strategic planning
to keep Montgomery moving ahead.
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3. What two actions would you promote to enhance city revenue or decrease city expenditures in order to balance the city budget, given the current economic conditions? (100 word limit)
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Answer from Chris Dobrozsi:
The City staff and City Council have done an excellent job being stewards of the resident's tax dollars by reducing City expenditures in various areas. We need to continue these efforts and continue to be creative in examining every aspect of the City to future reduce operational costs. The five year budgeting process is key to long term sustainability. On the revenue side, we need to continue the business outreach programs to ensure that Montgomery has a business friendly environment that allows new and existing companies to be successful.
Answer from Lynda E Roesch:
Fortunately, the City has a sound financial position. To the extent we can maintain a proper mix of businesses to provide tax revenue to the City, we should not need to alter the budget in any drastic fashion. The City has developed a list of priorities which categorizes services based on importance. If and when it is necessary to cut services, we will follow the priority list.
Answer from Barbara E. White:
Make the budget easy to read ( no obscure items)
Examine line items in the budget that only help a select few
Answer from Ken Suer:
Our budget right now is in good shape but I am interested
in ways to attract new businesses to the City and also for
additional ways to retain our current ones. We have had
great success in securing grant money - I think we should
continue with those efforts. We are always examining our
practices to identify ways to cut costs. This is very
important - small savings in many areas can add up to
significant dollars. I also endorse the cooperative pur-
chasing agreements we have with other government entities.
Answer from Barry Joffe:
I support cautious multi-year budgeting, projecting out operations and capital improvements over a five-year period. This is essential to plan future actions. On the expenditure side, I will continue to encourage process improvement initiatives and new ways to manage resources to reduce costs. One such example I supported was the revamping of Montgomery's Snow Emergency Policy last year, which reduced salt usage by 200 tons and saved $25,000. On the revenue side, continued encouragement and recruiting of suitable businesses will serve to sustain the withholdings tax base, the largest contributor to city tax collections.
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4. What steps should the local government take to ensure that the quality of rental property meets minimum legal standards? (100 word limit)
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Answer from Chris Dobrozsi:
I believe the City's property maintenance code is sufficient to address the issues in Montgomery. Continued enforcement is key to ensure that all rental property is maintained to these codes and has a positive contribution to the City landscape.
Answer from Ken Suer:
I think our property maintenance code is pretty effective
right now, although fair and consistent enforcement is the
real key. The best code in the world will achieve little
if it is not enforced. Rental properties can pose their
own special problems - sometimes the owners are out of
state and hard to contact. Persistent enforcement sets
the tone and all residents of the City benefit with a
better looking environment.
Answer from Barry Joffe:
The ratio of rental property in Montgomery is relatively small. To manage the quality of rental property, local governments should have an up-to-date property maintenance code in place. The scope of the code should specify the standards for properties and define the responsibility of owners and occupants of properties and provide for enforcement and penalties in the event of non-compliance. Another option for jurisdictions with higher rental property ratios could include rental licensing coupled with a proactive enforcement program.
Answer from Lynda E Roesch:
The City has a zoning code which addresses issues that may arise with respect to maintaining any property, rental or otherwise. If necessary, the City will arrange for proper maintenance when the property has been abandoned. The zoning code allows the City to assess property owners for any such maintenance.
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.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
