League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 8, 2005 Election
	Tom Weidman Answers Questions Candidate for Trustee; Township of Sycamore

Questions & Answers

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

I have been a leader in the community for over 20 years. I served six years as a member of the Sycamore Township Planning and Zoning Commission, and have served the last 5 years as Chairman of the Sycamore Township Board of Zoning Appeals.

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

I am 100% committed to giving Fire Chief Jetter and our Hamilton County Sheriff Deputies all of the tools and resources it takes to continue the outstanding protection they provide all of our residents.

In my 11 years on two Zoning Boards, I have fought endlessly to insure that we continue to balance commercial growth while maintaining the character of our residential communities. I will continue to serve as a member of our Land Use Plan Committee, as I have since 1994. This Committee develops our five year plan for community growth and development.

I will always work to keep the Township within our budget and avoid additional taxes to our residents.

3. What steps would you take to ensure that all public facilities are accessible to people with disabilities? (100 words limit)

Since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July of 1990, we have made great strides in our community to make all of the buildings easily accessible to people with disabilities. All of our Township facilities are fully accessible to people with disabilities, and I will work hard to get developers in all buildings, public or private, to facilitate accessibility for all people with disabilities.

4. What specific steps will you take to expand recycling services in your community? (100 words limit)

I believe that recycling is the responsibility of all community members, and I will work to make the recycling programs more affordable as an incentive for all to participate. I have worked diligently with the Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District Committee, and the Hamilton County Commissioners, to insure that we are able to maintain our current yard waste recycling site, and not lose it to a developer of Big Box Retail. Last year Sycamore Township passed 2.6 million pounds of yard waste through our recycling site, and I am working hard to insure the continued use of this facility.

5. What steps would you take to provide affordable housing for all residents of your community? (100 words limit)

Sycamore Township is a very diverse community with housing in all price points from entry level to very expensive. Our community is completely developed and certain areas of the Township provide for affordable housing already. I do not feel that it is the responsibility of the Sycamore Township Government to provide affordable housing to anybody. Housing prices are market driven, and Sycamore Township Government has no business meddling in this.