League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 3, 2009 Election
	Rick Brasington Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Madeira

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 am a current Madeira City Council member and chair of the Madeira Planning Commission, experience required to lead the city for the next four years. As a business manager and church officer I value the team approach and cooperation to solve problems; a method well suited for council.

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

Central Business District - I am on the Advisory Group of the CBD study that will shape the appearance of the downtown; I will be able to guide those recommendations though the Planning Commission and Council. Safety and Services - careful budgeting; forecast income low and costs high. No new taxes while improving roads and extending sidewalks - grants and careful budgeting.

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)

1. Enhance revenue with business growth in the CBD through the Advisory Group recommendations, and encourage new business locating in Madeira through TIF financing and maintaining the excellence of the city.
2. Decrease spending by replacing tax money with grant money. Have had success with that approach in the Kenwood Road project, Safe Routes to Schools (sidewalks), and park enhancements (trails, restrooms).

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

While there have not been problems in Madeira with rental properties, we must enforce our building and zoning codes to make sure they meet community standards. Madeira is a small community with a lean administration; we depend on citizens to alert the city if maintenance issues arise. Participation by citizens is at a high level in Madeira and that is a plus. If issues arise beyond enforcement, then new ordinances will be written and enforced.

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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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