League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 3, 2009 Election
	Deborah M. "Debbie" McKinney Answers Questions Candidate for President of Council; City of Cheviot

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 have served the City of Cheviot for the past two years as its President of Council and Vice Mayor. In addition to my accomplishments on council, I also have the legal education to understand the issues before council and set its rules, as well as management and leadership experience.

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

I write monthly articles in the Western Hills Press to inform the residents about how local government works and local issues. I am planning ward meetings to better involve the residents. I amended the council agenda to allow clear opportunities for residents to address council, and made the meetings more organized and efficient. I offer my input at committee meetings and stay aware of issues which may be needed to be added to the agenda. I have been an active member of CWCA, the community and business organization.

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)

Council has been very diligent the past two years in trimming the budget of all excess expenditures. Despite that, in these economic times, the residents thankfully passed the needed tax levy in order to maintain the city as a full service city. We are looking at additional opportunities to combine services and are working on a JEDD agreement with Green Township for additional income tax revenue in the future. This past month we have hired an economic development director on a part-time basis to encourage the growth of new business in the city and to retain the businesses we have.

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

The quality of rental homes is a major issue in Cheviot as the percentage of rental property has increased. Several absentee landlords have caused a decline in the neighborhood appearance. Council has worked with the administration to rehab the Dollar HUD homes, and are now looking to use the Neighborhood Stabilization funds to rehab foreclosed homes. We have passed a property maintenance ordinance, which in addition to the nuisance ordinance and the high grass ordinance has helped in improving these properties. We are now looking at an ordinance to register and inspect rental properties.

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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 4, 2009 07:30
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