League of Women Voters of Ohio
Hamilton County, OH November 4, 2003 Election
	Marilyn Hyland Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Cincinnati

The questions were prepared by the LWV Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. How would you implement your top priority?

Too often, council makes decisions without adequate public input. A recent example was the $52 million Convergys deal. Council scheduled a public hearing at 8:30 a.m., just a half-hour after the plan was made available, not to mention a time when few citizens would be able to attend the meeting. I will insist on real public input. I will make house calls when necessary, and insist that citizens' comments in council meetings be televised.

2. Numerous important issues including transportation, land use planning, housing and economic development for the Greater Hamilton County regions are being deliberated by OKI's Land Use Commission and Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission and Planning Partnership COMPASS; how engaged should local government be in these planning activities? If elected, how would you participate in these planning activities?

As the political and economic center of the region, Cincinnati should take the lead in planning decisions that will benefit our collection community. I would work to expand bus service, and disruptions to a minimum. We need to revitalize downtown and strengthen our neighborhoods. I will personally participate in planning activities, and improve cooperation among Cincinnati and surrounding communities.

3. Ohio Department of Natural Resources in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Recycling Coalition conducted a state-specific study and found recycling businesses in Ohio generated $650.6 million dollars in state government revenue. If elected how would you promote recycling and support recycling programs currently in place in your community to reduce solid waste generation?

I would reinstate the city's Department of Environmental Management. This would include the retention of curbside recycling, which the city currently plans to eliminate. I would expand recycling pickup to apartment buildings and businesses. I would create a recycling education program in schools, neighborhoods and in the business community. I would also create incentives for individuals, groups and businesses to achieve measurable recycling goals.