League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 8, 2011 Election
	Merrie Lynn (Stewart) Stillpass Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; Village of Amberley; District C

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 services do you believe should be considered basic and essential for the Village?

I believe that the basic and essential services are related to safety and health of our residents. These include first rate police and fire protection as well as dispatch for these services. Street maintenance and improvements are also imperative.

2. How would you balance the Village Budget?

My goal is to balance the budget, maintain the high levels of services and keep taxes as low as possible. This is a very difficult time for communities in Hamilton County and across the country. The Village's revenues are being significantly impacted from declining property values at the same time the Estate Tax is being eliminated and the Local Government Funds are being greatly reduced. The Village needs to equitably replace current these lost revenues through a combination of strategies including a comprehensive analysis of finance, cost reduction and growing the base of business and residential tax payers.

Efficiencies: Amberley has been innovative in reducing budget costs while at the same time serving as a leader and model on the efficiency and effectiveness of the combined police and fire departments. It is one of two in the state and 30 nationally. To illustrate further efficiency, 7 of our service dept. employees also serve as fire fighters.

Budget Analysis: At the direction of my administration, the Interim Village Manager has been working diligently to thoroughly analyze the cost of all services, assess cost/delivery effectiveness, and explore consolidation of services within the community as well as shared services with neighboring communities. The goal is to reduce costs and maximize efficiency while maintaining the high quality of service expected by our residents.

Economic Development: I initiated meetings with all of our local businesses and institutions to ascertain if their needs are being met, and how we might grow mutual opportunities. I have followed up on the recommendations from the Long Range Planning Committee to seek business opportunities for both the North Site and Amberley Green. Meetings with local and state officials and potential users have garnered some attention. Attracting businesses in more entrepreneurial ways in difficult economic times needs to be studied to grow new revenue streams to address losses. I will continue to monitor future development opportunities at the old Losantiville School and former Gibson site.

Cost trimming is not the end game. Economic growth throughout our community is the key to offset current revenue losses.

3. What actions will you take to support clean air?

As a founding member of the Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC), I continue to support the Tree City USA initiative. By planting trees and maintaining the bucolic landscape, carbon emissions can be mitigated. According to the USDA "One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people." See: http://www.arborday.org/trees/benefits.cfm I have worked diligently to ensure sustainable development at Amberley Green to preserve green space, and to promote a community stewardship with French Park, a Cincinnati city park within Amberley.

I have also worked on plans for pedestrian connectivity to create alternate circulation opportunities for pedestrians and bicycles to connect to local neighborhoods and activities. This in turn reduces the number of short vehicle trips, road congestion and air pollution while providing healthier choices for residents. I have also initiated the creation of a rain garden and meadow lands on Village properties which require little to no mowing and maintenance.

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 1, 2011 16:56
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