League of Women Voters of Ohio
Hamilton County, OH November 4, 2003 Election
	LaVerne Mitchell Answers Questions Candidate for Member Council; Village of Lincoln Heights

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?

We need to conduct an in-depth survey in the community to determine what the residents want in a total recreation program and facility. Then create a recreation task force to assist our current recreation in exploring a capital fund drive. Community meetings will be held with residents to discuss our options. In addition we should apply for grants that would give us some short-term assistance.

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?

Municipalities need to be involved in the planning as much as possible; evening meetings should be arranged to accommodate the local government officials. OKI should be aware of the development goals of the communities that may be affected so that all are on the same page. The economic development committee and the planning commission of Lincoln Heights should be expected to attend the meetings. I would request that a liaison from COMPASS be assigned to our administration.

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?

Because we currently do not have recycling programs in place, I would initiate a meeting and discussion with our waste contractor regarding the programs that could be offered. Residents would be encouraged to participate in the county programs and I would request that our staff provide assistance. A recycling awareness program in collaboration with the elementary school and churches is another way to promote recycling.