League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 8, 2005 Election
	Albert F. "Al" Peter Answers Questions Candidate for Trustee; Township of Anderson

Questions & Answers

1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit)

1. Encumbent office holder, with 4 years experience as Trustee of Anderson Township.
2. 30+ years in business, with a background in financial management, marketing, employee relations, etc. Served as a manager at various levels and as Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of a $400M, 2000 person public corporation.
3. Member of various volunteer organizations and boards.
4. Long time resident of Anderson Township.

2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)

1. Fiscal responsibility is an on-going process. It is more an attitude about spending than anything else. Every expenditure is evaluated and must meet needs criteria. We budget in advance and do not normally exceed any budget items. Budgets are not automatically increased but are set to reflect the needs for the coming year.
2. Planning is both a formal and continuing process. There is a continually refined long range plan, including specific goals, strategies, and anticipated time lines. Day to day activities are governed by the plan elements.
3. We are creating a visual "Center of Anderson" by augmenting and enhancing the Anderson Towne Center/Mercy complex with a new Park & Ride, a four acre lake and park, along with a possible civic and performing arts center, which will also house our governmental offices. Five Mile Road is being enhanced with new landscaping, fencing and medians. We are striving to create a destination and identity for the Township with these changes.
4. Property values are enhanced by keeping taxes low, improving the infrastructure, encouraging business development, supporting the school system, and by providing the best governmental services we can, while keeping within budgets.

3. What would you do to diminish negative environmental impacts of the Eastern Corridor project and protect the designation of the Little Miami as a National Wild and Scenic River? (100 word limit)

I believe that the current plans being considered by the Eastern Corridor Project leaders have fully taken into account the various environmental impacts along the Little Miami. I fully support sensible environmental efforts, but not to the exclusion of needed progress. There must be a cooperative effort by all parties to ensure that all of the various interests are well served. I believe this is being done, and I support the Eastern Corridor Project completely.

4. What would you do to improve communications between the Township and its residents? (100 word limit)

The Township Trustees and administration are quite aware that good communication is vital. To that end, we televise our various meetings, including Trustees, Zoning, Zoning Appeals, etc. We publish a Township newsletter four times per year, regularly submit guest editorials to the Forest Hills Journal, and are available for speaking engagements whenever possible. In addition, I am personally available by phone or in person to any and all residents. We also hold numerous public hearings and conduct yearly surveys to gauge public opinion on various topics.

5. Should trustees take a role in encouraging the use of the existing bus line and the development of new public transportation options? (100 word limit)

By initiating and partially funding the new Park and Ride and Shelter, we have actively encouraged use of public transportation. We are strong advocates for our residents with SORTA and METRO to continue to improve bus service for Anderson.

The Trustees participate with OKI on their efforts to create better transportation infrastructure in and to the Township.

We have provided significant funding for the Eastern Corridor Planning effort.

We are building the Anderson Trails sidewalk connections and will soon start both the 5 Mile Trail and the Ohio River Trail Projects. All these can serve to take cars off roads and provide alternate means for residents to reach local destinations.

6. How can the remaining Greenspace Fund best be spent? (100 word limit)

The Greenspace Committee is continuing to look for opportunities to acquire suitable properties at reasonable prices. Beyond that, we are also actively encourageing developers to create significant open space areas in their new developments. Rezoning of all open land is directed toward use of a CUP whenever possible and open space is encouraged or required.

The future of the Greenspace program will depend upon the willingness of Anderson residents to separately fund the program and on the availability of suitable parcels.