League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 3, 2009 Election
	George J. Zamary Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Cincinnati

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

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

I believe Cincinnati is at a crossroad where new leadership must achieve fiscal responsibility and promote economic growth in this region. As a lawyer, small business owner, husband, and father, I have a vested interest in improving Cincinnati and hope to do so as a member of City Council.

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

Safe and Clean Neighborhoods must be a priority. City Council must work with law enforcement and community leaders to make Cincinnati safer for residents, workers, and visitors alike.

Revitalization of Cincinnati's tax base also needs to take precedence. Since the 1970s, Cincinnati's population has declined by one-third and nearly 8,000 jobs left city limits from 2000-2005. We must reverse this trend.

Instead of just seeking additional taxes from the people of Cincinnati, fiscal responsibility must start at City Hall. When elected to City Council, I promise to oppose any proposed budget that relies on surplus funding to balance the budget.

3. What two actions would you promote to enhance city revenue or decrease city expenditures in order to balance the city budget, given the current economic conditions? (100 word limit)

City Council must get back to basics. Both tax cuts and economic incentives are needed to solve the city's current economic crisis. By cutting taxes in conjunction with all departments and agency directors identifying 5% to 10% in cuts within their budgets each year for the next council term, City Council can stimulate economic growth while reducing expenditures.

Business investment and new jobs coming back to Cincinnati will increase revenue from sales, property, and income taxes. Further incentives bringing new residents back to Cincinnati will add to the improvement of our neighborhoods through an increased tax base.

4. What steps should the local government take to ensure that the quality of rental property meets minimum legal standards? (100 word limit)

Quality rental property should be a priority for City Council. To this end, it must proactive to make certain current building and zoning codes are enforced for rental properties. It must also work with Hamilton County to expand the parameters of the current housing court to ensure that property owners maintain their properties. Code violations and dangers such as lead paint must be prosecuted to the fullest extent available under the law. In this fashion through a merging of services between City and County government, the two may collectively improve the overall housing and rental properties available throughout the region.

5. What actions should Cincinnati take to ensure a range of housing choices for residents, including affordable housing? (100 word limit)

Cincinnati must recognize the needs of its neighborhoods and residents alike. City Council, along with community leaders, developers, realtors and employers, will address the needs of its residents and the demands of the real estate market. Affordable housing must be available to allow Cincinnati to build up its population to increase tax revenues within the city. Only through the development of human capital will Cincinnati create opportunity to fuel its economy.

In short, Cincinnati must provide a full range of housing options to its citizenry to ensure the full maximization of its assets and development of the local economy.

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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.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 5, 2009 16:34
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