League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 3, 2009 Election
	Nicholas Hollan 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)

As a development professional for United Way and as the current Community Outreach/Disaster Services Coordinator for the American Red Cross, I have had the opportunity to serve our city from a unique perspective. Additionally I serve on the board of my community council and formerly of United Cerebral Palsy.

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

1) Renewed investment in Cincinnati's children- We must promote pre-natal care in order to reduce our infant mortality rate which stands at twice the national average. I also intend to focus on assisting more daycare providers to become state certified to ensure a minimum quality of care.

2) Ensure public safety- Support the police on the street to the best of our ability while simultaneously implementing job training and educational programs to decrease the number of offenders.

3) Revitalize neighborhoods-Collaborate with each Cincinnati neighborhood to create specific, long term strategic visions for the future of each community.

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)

First and foremost, I do not believe we are going to cut our way out of this problem. We must increase the quality of life to attract more residents and businesses thereby growing our tax base.

1) Support the streetcar to encourage both short and long term economic development. The revenue generated from contractors buying blighted properties currently sitting idle should be reinvested back into all 52 communities.

2) Make appropriate cuts in the operating budget while ensuring basic city services are meted out as efficiently and effectively as possible.

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

To help ensure the quality of rental properties, local government must work closely with: landlords, tenants, neighborhood community councils and building inspectors to provide adequate oversight. Documented cases of homes with high lead levels must be remedied to guarantee public health. An efficient and effective housing court will also help resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.

Regardless of age or income, I believe that renters have the right to live in a quality environment.

5. What actions should Cincinnati take to ensure a range of housing choices for residents, including affordable housing? (100 word limit)

It is imperative that Cincinnati have affordable, clean and safe housing for all residents of all income levels. HUD defines affordable housing as costing no more than 30% of a household income. Using this barometer, many households in every community are not living in affordable homes. Consumer protection and consumer education must be a priority of local government to help recognize and avoid predatory lending practices. While home ownership provides residents with a vested interest in the success of their community, I also recognize the need and importance of rental units and will work to provide options in all communities.

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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 27, 2009 14:53
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