League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 5, 2013 Election
	Charles H. Johnson Answers Questions Candidate for Member Council at Large; City of Forest Park

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 am a voting resident of Forest Part. I majored in Social Studies and Political Science as an undergraduate. I have served on the City Council since 1998 and that includes services on every chartered Standing Committee. Prior to being elected to city council, I served as a volunteer on many of the Boards/Commissions for the city.

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

Police, Fire, Public Works and the major essentials, but others like Parks and Recreation, Beautification, Environmental Awareness, etc are also necessary to ensure that our citizens are provided a full and well-rounded life.

3. How would you balance the City Budget?

Estimate the projected revenues based of the financial information provided from oru revenue sources and match the projected expenditures to those revenues. If, during the coures of the fiscal year, it is determined that expenditures are exceeding or may exceed the actual revenues, adjustment are made in spending. This can be done by reviewing the budget status of each department and each line item in the budget. There are always areas that will be "under its budget". This allows "room" for transferring or shifting revenues to areas that might be near budget limits. Sometime it might be necessary to reduce projected spending by eliminating or postponing purchases or services. Adjusting and/or seeking revenue sources could become necessary.

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

In Forest Park, we recognize the value of volunteers. The city actively seek out citizens who are willing to serve on our many committes and commissions where they are encouraged to give vital input for the direction of the committee/commission thus the direction for the city. We also devote a section of the agenda of all council meetings for comments from the public. As a member of Council, I regularly make myself available at the Senior Center to hear the concerns of our citizens.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 6, 2013 09:59
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