League of Women Voters of Ohio
Hamilton County, OH November 4, 2003 Election
	Nick Spencer 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?

I'll work to renew and reinvigorate our local economy. I will end corporate welfare by creating a set of rules and guidelines for city negotiations with large employers. I will diversify our employment base through new grant and loan programs for small and minority-owned businesses. I will help attract young talented people through support for mass transit, urban redevelopment projects, and the Arts. I will empower neighborhoods by creating Neighborhood-specific Economic Growth Teams.

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?

I believe City Leaders should be more involved in regional planning issues. If we're going to grow as a city, we must cooperate with the entire region. I will be an active participant in all region-wide planning discussions, and I will ensure that the City Administration is represented as well.

The city must take a leadership role on issues like mass transit and housing. We have not been a strong enough voice for progress.

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?

On Council, I will be a strong advocate for our recycling program, and will fight any effort to cut curbside recycling.. I will create new public awareness campaigns and internet resources to increase the number of households taking advantage of this important city service. I will also work to reinstate our Department of Environmental Works, and give it real funding and enforcement power.