League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Clermont, Hamilton County, OH November 5, 2013 Election
	Laurie (Walter) Howland Answers Questions Candidate for Member Council at Large; City of Milford

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 have served for the last four years on Milford City Council having been elected to the position. For the last two years, I have served as Vice-Mayor having been appointed by my fellow council members to the position. During my current term, Council and I have made some tough decisions that required some changes and new faces to the city. These decisions were vital in moving Milford forward and allowing the city to grow and prosper despite some tough economic times. Having been through this process, I am in a great position with the knowledge I have as do my other current fellow council members to keep the city moving forward and growing. There are more cuts ahead in regards to the budget so having the experience to handle it I think is key and what is even more important is that we handled it correctly.

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

The list of services considered basic and essential will vary slightly from person to person. But I think we can agree that essential services are our Fire Department, Police Department, Water and Sewer Departments and maintaining our infrastructure. These departments provide services that are essential to keeping a city running and safe.

3. How would you balance the City Budget?

Balancing a city budget is very complex. There are so many factors and elements that go into it. The key for me is listening to our department heads on what is essential then gathering the information and cost analysis from our City Manager and Finance Director. Then with their expertise making a very informed decision. We are very fortunate in Milford to have two of the best people at the helm of budget issues - City Manager, Jeff Wright and Finance Director, Dan Burke. The hiring of these two professionals were two of the best decisions our current council made to insure that the city could move forward despite tough economic times. I would balance the budget by using the resources we put in place to help us make the best decisions.

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

Citizen Engagement is what lead me to run for council in the first place four years ago. The first key to that is getting to know people within your community. I love to walk my neighborhood and Main Street simply to socialize. Walking Main Street and popping into the shops has become one of my favorite activities with my daughter. This allows me to stay engaged with residents and our business owners. By me staying engaged with them they also stay engaged with the city. I learn what their concerns are and they learn what their Council and City Staff are doing for them. Communication makes residents and business owners feel more involved and connected. This overall connection in the city is one of the many reasons Milford is a great place to call home.

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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 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.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 16, 2013 11:04
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