League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
	Hamilton County, OH November 2, 2010 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues County Commissioner; County of Hamilton

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Qualifications, Priorities, Natural resources Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What are your qualifications for office? (50 Word limit) Answer from Jim Tarbell: Past board member on the Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission and the City of Cincinnati Planning Commission, founding member of the Hamilton County Planning Partnership, member Executive Committee of Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments planning committee, board member of SORTA, and councilmember and vice mayor in Cincinnati. Answer from Chris R. Monzel: As an engineer, a father, and a neighborhood leader, I have the experience and skills necessary to help lead our county. As a current Cincinnati City councilmember with real world experience, I bring energy and commitment to a system that continues to need to be fixed. 2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit) Answer from Jim Tarbell: I believe that there are efficiencies that can be achieved by sharing services throughout the various jurisdictions in the city and county. Simple things like purchasing salt and other items which everyone needs in bulk can realize cost savings. Each of the County jurisdictions needs to be brought to the table on a regular basis. We need to institute meetings particularly with leaders of business districts, so there is a forum for the sharing of ideas. I have ALWAYS been a consensus builder, and believe building consensus and policies will lead to action plans. Answer from Chris R. Monzel: The Stadium fund deficit is driving the county budget crisis. The Bengals have an offer on the table to renegotiate parts of the current lease. I will put the taxpayers first in these negotiations. We also need to keep taxes low in order to establish a welcoming environment for businesses. I believe in promoting home ownership, such as, a Homearama in Hamilton County. Homearama has been held in Warren County seven of the last eight years. I am willing to look at our county assets that could be sold which would generate revenue to help solve this budget crisis. 3. What ideas will you support if elected to manage and protect the environment and natural resources of Hamilton County? (150 word limit) Answer from Jim Tarbell: In order to manage and protect Hamilton County's natural resources, we need better land use. I have much experience with this issue after having served on the Cincinnati Planning and the Hamilton County Regional Planning Commissions. I was also a founding member of the Hamilton County Planning Partnership. A lack of thoughtful planning in southwest Ohio has lead to uncoordinated and often detrimental development, resulting in more congestion and too many vehicles on the streets. We need to reinvest in the urban core and the first ring suburbs, pulling people closer to the job centers. An emphasis must also be placed on reinvigorating business districts that should be the focal point of strong, livable, and walkable communities. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.