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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Qualification,
Priorities,
Accessiblity,
Recycling,
Housing
Click on a name for other candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit)
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Answer from I. Denise (Thomas) Jarnigan-Holt:
Having served as president of the HOA in a Forest Park community has been an eye opener to me which has given me the drive to improve our community. My negotiating skills as a Buyer will a plus in bringing new businesses to our city.
Answer from Diana Herbe:
Forest Park has been my family home for over forty years and my residence for at least twenty years. My background in law and labor relations equips me to work with municipal budgets, ordinances, and staff to maintain and enhance the vital services Forest Park residents expect.
Answer from Sheila J. Cottle:
34 year career as licensed Registered Nurse working as Hospital Nurse Mgr., State Agency Nurse/Rehab. Consultant. Healthcare Consultant in own Business for 11 years working with Employers in areas of Workers' Comp./Disability Mgmt/Certified Life Care Planner. Invited to co-design LIfe Care Planner program @ Capital Univ. Law School, served as lead faculty, adjunct professor 2000-2003. Resident of Forest Park for 32 years, where my husband Barry of 34 years, raised our 2 sons, BJ & Steven.
Answer from Charles H. Johnson:
I have served on the Forest Park Charter Revision commission, I am currently a member of the Forest Park City Council. I currently Chair the Forest Park Planning Commission and the Forest Park Public Improvement and Facilities Committee. I represent Council on the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Environmental Awareness Board.
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2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)
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Answer from I. Denise (Thomas) Jarnigan-Holt:
I am a taxpayer in Forest Park with an 8-year-old child which is now attending private school because of the level of education that is being offered in my city. I will work to improve the caliber of education in my area in order for me to be happy to enroll my child and become a proud parent that will put bumper stickers on my car that reads, "Proud Parent of a Forest Park Honor Student".
It is time for citizens be granted an abatement on the high taxes. The taxes we pay do not balance with the level of education our children are receiving.
In order to keep our streets safe, we will need more street patrols and block watches. I intend to make this happen by canvasing the neigborhood for block watchers and see that training is provided.
Answer from Sheila J. Cottle:
1. Protect our Community Property Values by holding home owner, responsible to maintain property and provide city govt. with required employees in field for property maintenance code responsibilities.
2. Businesses moving out of FP, with the property remaining vacant for longer period of time-Facilitate the City Economic Director and Department tomanage and bring new businesses to Forest Park.
3. Maintain Quality of Life in Forest Park by maintaining a safe Family oriented Community-Access the requirement for additional polic officers for the community and determine the reason for increased crime in the area.
Answer from Charles H. Johnson:
In order to address the three top priorities, I will introduce legislation (ordinances/resolutions) that will provide (A) additional policemen that will bring our force up to the necessary fifty(50) officers from the current thirty-four (34) officers (B) Increase the current firefighters/paramedics to at total of twelve full-time for three shifts per day which brings the total force to thirty-six full-time as opposed to the current force of fifty-five, twenty-tour of whom are part-time (C) Increase the current public works department from twelve to fifteen full-time employees. This can be done with the increased amount of taxation that will come from the additional businesses that we have been able to attract to the city. This should not require any increase in local income taxes.
Answer from Diana Herbe:
Financial Stability -- No community can function without the financial resources necessary to support vital community services. I support commercial, industrial, and residential development and redevelopment through tax incentives that promote the expansion of the city's tax base.
Public Safety and Public Works -- Forest Park residents could benefit from increasing our police, fire, and public works staff. I would support modest increases in staff in those departments, as well as the resources necessary to retain municipal staff.
Housing generally comprises the largest portion of a household budget, in either the purchase or rental of one's home. Residents value how neighborhood property maintenance enhances their property value and renters appreciate how landlords maintain their property. I support the enforcement of property maintenance codes and the mechanisms necessary to enforce those ordinances.
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3. What steps would you take to ensure that all public facilities are accessible to people with disabilities? (100 words limit)
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Answer from Charles H. Johnson:
I am Chairperson of both the Planning Commission and the Public Improvement and Facilities Commission. We currently have codes and ordinances that require that facilities meet all guidelines regarding accessibility for disabled persons. I am certain that our laws go beyond those required by state and federal laws. We strongly urge owners of non-public facilities to adhere to these guidelines also. I will continue to make this a priority.
Answer from Sheila J. Cottle:
Utilize the American With Disabilities (ADA) Act to bring all public facilities into compliance for access for all people with disabiities. Utilize the Forest Park City Government staff and departments to assure the compliance of accessiblity for individuals with disabilities.
Answer from Diana Herbe:
Forest Park's municipal ordinances require that public facilities meet all accessibility guidelines for those individuals who are physically challenged. I would challenge all non-public facilities in the city to meet those guidelines.
Answer from I. Denise (Thomas) Jarnigan-Holt:
Any businesses that come to our city should be allowed in with the stipulation that they are accessible to all peoples with disabilities.
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4. What specific steps will you take to expand recycling services in your community? (100 words limit)
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Answer from Diana Herbe:
I have been a member of the Forest Park Environmental Awareness Committee for at least five years and have served as secretary and vice chair of the committee. Free recycling bins are available for those persons contracting for trash pick-up. When Forest Park residents participate in recycling, the city receives funds to finance projects like our large appliance and metal pick-up, our tire recycling program, and our educational outreach program. I strongly support this program and urge all residents to recycle #1 and #2 plastic containers; glass bottles; aluminum cans and metal containers; and newspaper, cardboard, and mixed paper.
Answer from Charles H. Johnson:
For many years, we have had an Environmental Awareness Program Board of Directors. I am the liaison from the City Council to that Board. The Board has an aggressive award-winning recycling program of which the city is understandably proud. I will continue to urge my colleagues on council to fund this program so that it can continue to educate our citizens on the advantages of recycling.
Answer from I. Denise (Thomas) Jarnigan-Holt:
Offer recycling bins to all residents. Offer recycling drop off points for items that can not be placed in pick up bins.
Answer from Sheila J. Cottle:
Forest Park is fortunate to have a very innovative, passionate employee that oversees the Recyling Program for our city. Education for the students and families will ensure utilization of recycling services. Many of those educational programs are already developed and utilized for Forest Park.
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5. What steps would you take to provide affordable housing for all residents of your community? (100 words limit)
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Answer from Diana Herbe:
Forest Park developed as a planned community of affordable homes. It is a community of mixed single family homes and multi-family units. It continues to develop as a community of modest through mid-priced housing. Finding affordable housing is not a problem in Forest Park. I support the direction taken by the Forest Park Planning Commission with respect to housing development in Forest Park.
Answer from Sheila J. Cottle:
Forest Park is a planned community that has always ensured a diverse group of citizens whom celebrates the rich cultural influences in all aspects of our city. There is an excellent balance of all residents with affordable single-residence, and duplex 2 family homes, and apartments. Quality of Life through addressing individual needs within unique neighborhoods in our city!
Answer from Charles H. Johnson:
When developers come before our Planning Commission seeking approval of plans to build housing units (single or apartments) one of the considerations is the affordability of that housing for our citizens. As chairperson of the Planning Commission, I am proud of the success we have had in assuring that affordable housing is "not" a problem in our community. Additionally, we have been and are aware of predatory lenders and we are working closely with area realtors to curb such activities.
Answer from I. Denise (Thomas) Jarnigan-Holt:
Work on a program to find grants to subsidize housing for any one that wants to move into the community that would otherwise not be able to afford to without financial help.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.
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League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
