League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 8, 2011 Election
	Mike Allen 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 have dedicated most of my professional life to public service and safety. I have been a police officer, judge, and prosecutor. I have seen every side of the crime issue in our community and I will bring new ideas that work to address the number one issue facing Cincinnati.

2. How would you balance the City Budget? (100 word limit)

First and foremost, Council needs to be honest with itself and its citizens on the budget. Hamilton County elected officials saw the economic downturn coming and initiated drastic cutbacks in County departments. City Council applied band aids and one time fixes. Council needs to prioritize its needs, with public safety being first in line. Council needs to eliminate or merge departments and consider managed competition for some City services. Where managed competition is utilized, public sector labor unions are successful in retaining their positions about 70% of the time.

3. What services do you believe should be considered basic and essential for the City? (100 word limit)

First and foremost, public safety is the top essential service needed in Cincinnati. Even with budget constraints, City Council should NOT be considering any reductions of force through layoffs. I also believe that it is important for the City to provide economic development assistance. We currently have programs to benefit companies which hire 25 new workers over three years. I believe we should help out smaller businesses by lowering that threshold to 10 new employees. It also is important for the City to continue to examine and improve the transportation infrastructure. We can do better at handling traffic issues.

4. What actions will you take to support clean air?

Current federal, state and local laws should be vigorously enforced.

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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 may apply. See individual questions for specific word limits. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. Please edit your work before submitting. We are unable to provide spell-check at this time.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 19, 2011 16:40
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