League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 3, 2009 Election
	John M. Altman Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; Village of Mariemont

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)

My qualifications include: My legal education, training, and experience; my service on a school board district advisory committee that studied Ohio property and income taxes; my work on the successful campaign to save the fire department; and my volunteer work, as a coach, for the local recreation association.

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

As to my first priority, the budget, please see my answer to the question below. Turning to my second priority, police and fire protection, my plan is plain and simple that while on Council, I will not vote for any resolutions proposing to eliminate police officers and/or firefighters. Also, a police officer position was vacated earlier this year through a retirement and it remains unfilled--I support filling this position. As to my final priority, the bike trail, I propose forming a citizen committee to conduct a feasibility study and survey public opinion on connecting to the Newtown trail head.

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)

If the tax levy passes, the finances stabilize for 5 years. If the levy fails, however, the deficit increases. According to Council's Minutes, budget cuts will result in cost savings, but such cuts will not solve the deficit. The Village proposes two options: (1) Reducing staff coverage, increasing garbage fees, and canceling the landscaping contract; or (2) reducing the earnings tax credit by 0.5%. I believe other savings might be achieved through furloughs, retirement incentives, and competitive bidding for services. I will endeavor to work with the Village and the public to reach the appropriate formula for balancing the budget.

4. What steps should the local government take to ensure that the quality of rental property meets minimum legal standards? (100 word limit)

The Village's "Kirkwood" law generally provides for tri-annual inspections by the Village Building Department. These inspections are to determine the suitability of the living conditions of rental units. I support the Kirkwood legislation as a useful tool for the Village to ensure that rental units meet minimum habitability standards. I also support the Residence D zone, which in my view, is an opportunity to encourage the redevelopment of non-historic rental property into modern rental units and condominiums.

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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: September 30, 2009 07:24
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