|
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,
Basic Services,
Budget,
Clean Air
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
 |
1. What are your qualifications for office?
|
Answer from Barry Kuhn:
I have lived in Loveland for almost 40 years, and think that I have an understanding of how the citizens of this community feel. I have experienced change in this city, not all of it good, and think that it is time for someone without a political background to take an interest in the future of Loveland. I have over 30 years of business experience that I should also be able to apply in this position.
Answer from Paulette L Leeper:
I served a full term on Loveland City Council (1997-2001) and I am a twelve-year member of the City's Finance Committee (1999-present). I was appointed to Council in February of this year to fill an unexpired term from a field of seven other candidates. These qualifications make me one of the most experienced candidates in this election, and in these tough economic times, experience counts.
Answer from Mark J. Fitzgerald:
I have thirty years experience serving local government having previously worked as a local government manager and in the field of economic development, first as executive director of economic development corporations in Ohio and Maryland, then as a consultant to local governments. I began my career with the Dayton Urban League specializing in housing and community development issues. I then became the first executive director of a non-profit development corporation in Xenia, Ohio where I grew the organization from a housing and neighborhood revitalization entity to a full service economic and community development agency. I was also the first executive vice president of the Economic and Business Development Corporation of Montgomery County, Maryland. In addition to my community and economic development experience, I have also served as Services Director of West Chester, Ohio, Village Administrator of Lockland, Ohio, Township Administrator of Union Township, Clermont County, Ohio and City Manage of Loveland Ohio. Currently I provide strategic management and economic development services to industry and local government.
Answer from Todd A. Osborne:
I have been elected twice to represent all of Loveland. In addition, I have been an almost life-long resident. I know how Loveland was and can be, the true flavor of Loveland. We're unique. It's knowing the past but looking ahead while listening to all comments.
Answer from Angela L. "Angie" (Loyola) Settell:
I have the benefit of many years of Leadership and executive level experience in my work life as well as leadership roles outside of work in professional, community and volunteer organizations; managed large operations and budgets; experienced in strategic planning, goal setting, and working through roadblocks. I've learned how to work well with people, build consensus, collaborate and negotiate. All of these critical skills make me an effective addition to Council.
|
2. What services do you believe should be considered basic and essential for the City?
|
Answer from Paulette L Leeper:
The basic and essential services of any city are those which support the health, safety and welfare of the residents. Certainly, fire and police protection, clean water, sanitary sewer services, trash removal, emergency medical services and road maintenance come to mind. Loveland residents enjoy these basic city services and good stewardship of their tax dollars which contribute to a skillfully-managed, lean budget. Cuts in historic sources of revenue from the State of Ohio in 2013 will make balancing our already-lean budget more difficult than those of many other local governments.
Answer from Barry Kuhn:
Besides the obvious ones of police and fire, I think that the public works is critical. This would include maintaining the current level of road repair, snow and brush removal, and our parks.
Answer from Todd A. Osborne:
Excellent police and fire protection are essential for Loveland and we proudly have both. Nationally recognized, to boot. Our streets must remained maintained, as well as our infrastructure, the water, sewer and stormwater systems.
Answer from Mark J. Fitzgerald:
Development and implementation of a strong economic development program is key to a city's health. By attracting and retaining jobs and creating an environment conducive to redevelopment and new development, the local tax base will grow. In turn, these increased revenues will allow the city to continue providing excellent public safety services including police, fire and EMT, as well as enhancing quality of life through recreation programs and public works.
Answer from Angela L. "Angie" (Loyola) Settell:
Safety--Police,Fire, Stoplights/Signs and Road Maintenance.
Utilities--Electric, Gas, Trash and Sewerage
Schools-Although not part of the City Budget, We must support with safe traffic patterns and infrastructure that supports the safety of the facility and students.
Cost effective methods of communicating with the residents-they need to know what their local government is doing and be able to communicate easily with Council.
|
3. How would you balance the City Budget?
|
Answer from Todd A. Osborne:
Loveland is very lucky that we have good financial planning, with a finance committee stocked with good, qualified individuals. They have properly forecasted this economic period, where Loveland has not suffered as other communities. Balancing the budget entails all department heads to qualify and quantify every item and individual needed to maintain quality service, and if a cut is needed, to ensure other services will not suffer with that cut.
Answer from Mark J. Fitzgerald:
The City of Loveland budget is balanced and always has been. In fact, Loveland has historically maintained substantial reserves, something that I intend to see continue. The City has taken affirmative steps to reduce costs across the board in recent years. This too is something I intend to see continued.
It is my goal to assure services are maintained with taxes and fees kept in check.
Answer from Paulette L Leeper:
The City of Loveland's budget is already lean due to the existing practices of outsourcing, collaboration with other entities, and staffing reductions through attrition. The City has already implemented a number of budget-saving measures like the North East Fire Collaborative, the reorganization of the Tax and Building and Zoning Departments, and outsourcing our income tax collections. The continuation of these cost-saving measures along with the recommendations of the City Manager and the citizens who participated in the Budget Sustainability Workshops are important factors in balancing the budget. These recommendations include eliminating sick-leave sell back, health insurance for part-time employees, tuition reimbursement, and making reductions in the wellness program and continuous improvement training program. On the revenue side, raising taxes is a last resort in my book and I prefer to focus my attention on real growth initiatives such as the Historic Loveland Redevelopment Plan and other initiatives that strengthen our tax base.
Answer from Barry Kuhn:
Unfortunately, based on what I've seen so far, we won't be able to balance it with just making cuts. It may be time to consider a small tax increase, and a small reduction in the tax credit.
Answer from Angela L. "Angie" (Loyola) Settell:
Prioritize spending starting with essentials. Eliminate "nice to do but not critical" spending. Review business processes, City Charter and recommendations from residents to identify inefficiencies and eliminate waste. Partner with abutting political jurisdictions to benchmark best practices and explore combining services and functions. Recommend creating a Community Advisory Council to tap into the many talented residents in the community to identify improvements.
|
4. What actions will you take to support clean air?
|
Answer from Angela L. "Angie" (Loyola) Settell:
I will encourage the Council to support voluntary fossil fuel conservation efforts by the City and its residents. I hope to influence decisions to minimize traffic congestion in the city to reduce auto emissions. Will recommend that alternative sources of energy be considered wherever practical to power City buildings and transportation. Develop a communication strategy to inform residents of ways they can contribute.
Answer from Paulette L Leeper:
I support clean air - it's important and it's already being dealt with at the State and Federal levels of government. The funciton of local government is police and fire protection, safe roads and strong utilities, among other things. In these financially lean times, these issues and others provide a full plate for local governments. With that said, I am supportive of creating jobs in Loveland so our residents can shorten their commutes. In this way, a stronger tax base supports clean air initiatives.
Answer from Barry Kuhn:
Fortunately, I don't think that this is an issue in our community. I support clean air, and our excellent recycling program.
Answer from Todd A. Osborne:
I have supported Loveland's green initiatives, to reducing fleurocarbons or the "carbon footprint". Items like replacing lighting to LED bulbs, recycling, and reducing energy consumption all help with a greener earth and cleaner air.
Answer from Mark J. Fitzgerald:
I support a focus on green initiatives such as the proposal now before City Council to install solar panels to augment electric power to the City Water Works.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits may apply. See individual questions for specific word limits. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. Please edit your work before submitting. We are unable to provide spell-check at this time.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
| 
League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
