League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 5, 2013 Election
	Pam Thomas Answers Questions Candidate for Member of Council; City of Cincinnati

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? (50 word limit)

As a current member of Cincinnati City Council I bring more than 20 years of experience to the position. My professional background as an educator and administrator includes budget preparation and program development. These skills will provide a solid foundation as Council focuses on the critical issues ahead.

2. How would you balance the City Budget? (100 word limit)

Key to balancing the budget is the City's ability to generate new sources of revenue. Our ability to attract new businesses and investments is critical to expanding our tax base. There has been a great deal of discussion about "right sizing" government. While I concur that we must continue to examine more efficient methods to deliver quality, basic services to citizens, this can be accomplished through expanding our technology, eliminating waste and duplicative services, and restructuring City Departments. Thinking regionally is central to attracting and retaining the kind of investments and cash infusion we so desperately need.

3. Plan Cincinnati calls for the city to adopt a citizen engagement policy. What would you include in such a policy? (100 word limit)

I would require quarterly community engagement meetings in the policy to ensure citizens are involved in PLAN Cincinnati moving forward. These meetings would be held in various locations around Cincinnati to ensure that a more diverse representation of Cincinnatians will be participating. At these meetings, the community would be updated on the development of PLAN Cincinnati, as well as allow the community to voice their concerns and offer suggestions for improvements. Goals would be set by the community at these meetings to ensure that their collective voice is heard and that they continue to support the progress of PLAN Cincinnati.

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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 13, 2013 07:06
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