League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton, Clermont, Warren Counties, OH November 5, 2013 Election
	Pamela Gross Answers Questions Candidate for Member Council at Large; City of Loveland

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?

I graduated from the College of Mount Saint Joseph with honors, Magna Cum Laude and was a member of the National Dean's List and the Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society.

As a local accountant and entrepreneur I bring a business owner's perspective to local government. I understand numbers, budgets and financial statements. Having built my own business I have learned to listen well and communicate clearly. I know what it takes to transform complex issues into practical solutions.

2. What services do you believe should be considered basic and essential for the City?

Basic city services include public safety (police and fire) and public works (infrastructure). To be able to continue providing these services at a level to which our residents and businesses have become accustomed , we must have a strong and consistent economic development program focused on job creation and private and public investment. A stable and growing Loveland economy will also provide for other quality of life amenities such as special events, parks and recreation.

3. How would you balance the City Budget?

The budget can be balanced by:
1. Understanding where the majority of our taxes come from and focusing our economic development efforts on expanding those business sectors.
2. Review, tax code and policies to ensure the tax code is applied fairly and equitably.
3. Be open to forming regional alliances, partnerships and collaboration for delivering city services. The Loveland- Symmes Fire Department is an excellent model for cost savings through this type collaboration.
4. Make retention of existing businesses a priority-80% of new growth comes from expansion of small businesses.

4. Citizen engagement is important to the health of local government. In what ways do you support citizen engagement?

My guiding principle is very clear: Treat all citizens and visitors to our great city with civility, courtesy and respect. It is important to build relationships with our citizens, business owners and community leaders. We need to plan and implement WITH people, not just FOR people. The involvement on the local level is most important because the actions of local representatives have the most impact on our every day lives. Relationships and consensus building is key because once we have the public's trust we can get things done.The city of Loveland is very diverse comprised of citizens with many talents and perspectives. Our city boards and commissions should reflect and celebrate that diversity

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Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 14, 2013 08:23
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