League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 3, 2009 Election
	Brad Wenstrup Answers Questions Candidate for Mayor; 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 business owner and employer of over 20 years, a military veteran and a community volunteer, I bring needed experience and knowledge to the office of Mayor that will assist in job creation, making sound decisions and bringing leadership to a city in need.

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

The first thing that must happen in this city is that we need to change the culture of the leadership. Cincinnati needs a Mayor that will listen to them. That means actually going out to community councils and attending public comment sessions of City Council.

Then we must engage our communities and community councils. This means they must be empowered to tackle the issues they bring forward.

We must also evaluate all of our departments and programs and eliminate duplicitous services and decide where we can partner regionally.

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)

We must look at jobs that we do in the city that duplicate the things done at the county and the state. At the same time, we must look at ways to work regionally where we can reduce our costs by working with the county or state.

The City should evaluate operation of any service that is revenue draining. The responsibility of government is to provide those services which citizens cannot more effectively provide for themselves. The City must live within its means and provide efficient basic services.

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

We don't have to reinvent the wheel - where success has been demonstrated, let's learn from others. New York City successfully implemented a strategy of "broken windows" policing that improved the quality of life and ultimately, the safety of all residents. By focusing on seemingly "petty" crimes, and consistently enforcing existing laws, New York City effectively reduced more major offenses and improved the quality of life for its residents. Cincinnati has tinkered with various portions of this approach but should wholly adopt this policy of policing.

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

The City must work cooperatively with entities that have a proven track record of success in creating jobs and stimulating economic development. 3CDC has shown that it can effectively work to revitalize our urban core, and the Port Authority has demonstrated its ability to support economic development throughout our region. In cooperation and partnership with neighborhood development organizations, local businesses, and other interested parties, the City should leverage the work of 3CDC and the Port Authority to develop sustainable projects beyond the urban core and into the other 52 neighborhoods of the City.

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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 22, 2009 17:12
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