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

I bring seven years of City Council experience coupled with over 25 years of exemplary public service. In addition, I have the ability to build partnerships and coalitions with a view towards getting things done for our city. This has been demonstrated through my past experiences.

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

The city of Cincinnati needs a long-term endowment fund so we will not have future budget problems.. The possible selling of the Southern Railway is a proposal that has become more intriguing to me when viewing the budgetary planning and long-term benefits for Cincinnati. In addition, I strongly support neighborhood community councils. Each community council should be fully funded because they can assist their neighborhood with creation of jobs, attracting business and encouraging greater citizen participation in public safety. For more information please access http://www.charliewinburn.com for pertinent issues facing Cincinnati.

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)

I feel that we are able to increase city revenue by placing a priority on attracting business which will ultimately create jobs. By giving businesses a tax incentive we will spur job growth. This will enable each neighborhood to fund a development initiative for their community. The biggest city expenditure that should be reduced to balance the city budget is to cut City Council salary, health, and pension benefits. In addition to cutting these benefits we should move to explore a new proposal in regards to the downtown street car system in which Cincinnati residents would be taxed $200 million.

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

The city of Cincinnati does not need to pass any more laws in regards to nuisance properties. However, the Mayor and City Council needs to establish a leadership agenda that makes this issue a top priority for the City. In addition, by tying the City Manager's performance evaluation to the removal of nuisance properties this will ensure the enforcement of these laws.

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

The Mayor and City Council needs to establish a leadership agenda that would make promotion of quality housing for all, including affordable housing, one of the priorities. City Council needs to work with the Mayor to address the broad range of housing needs in an effort to solve the issue.

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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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