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LWV League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund

Smart Voter
Hamilton County, OH November 5, 2013 Election
Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
Mayor; 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.     See below for questions on Qualifications, Vision, County relationship

Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

? 1. What are your qualifications for office? (50 word limit)

Answer from John Cranley:

As a councilman and budget chairman from 2001 to 2009, balanced the budget in bi-partisan fashion while investing in basic services and safety and lowering property taxes. Lawyer; founded Ohio Innocence Project, which uses DNA evidence to free the wrongfully imprisoned. Developed new restaurant and condos in Price Hill.

Answer from Roxanne Qualls:

My experience as a community organizer, director of two community organizations, a three-term Mayor, and a student and teacher of public policy have taught me that today's headline does not bring about change, but focused, persistent effort does; and, the knowledge that through partnerships significant change and improvement can occur.

? 2. What is your vision for the City and how would you relate to Council to work towards that vision? (100 word limit)

Answer from John Cranley:

My vision for Cincinnati is of a city that is greater than the one I grew up in and stronger than the one we live in today. I want my four-year-old son to be able to live a fulfilling life here. In order to accomplish that, we have to focus on what works - delivering on the basics; continuing the collaborations that have succeeded at the Banks, Fountain Square, and Washington Park; and expanding that growth to the neighborhoods. As mayor, I will work with councilmembers to find the common ground to make that vision are reality.

Answer from Roxanne Qualls:

I have a bold vision of a growing Cincinnati with a vital urban core surrounded by thriving neighborhoods. A place where our children and their children want to stay and where other people's children want to live and work. It has a strong economy that supports innovation, business and job growth. It has great neighborhoods that are healthy, safe, and sustainable with vibrant local neighborhood businesses. It is a diverse community offering opportunity to all. It has responsible leadership that invests in all 52 neighborhoods. I believe all of council shares this vision.

? 3. How can the City develop a better working relationship with Hamilton County? (100 word limit)

Answer from John Cranley:

I believe the people of our community want all of us in public office to collaborate to deliver the services expect and deserve. Too often politicians put turf wars ahead of the people that they are supposed to serve. I will initiate a new era of collaboration with Hamilton County to find ways to eliminate duplicative services, cut out waste, and improve the delivery of basic services. I will restart the joint city/county task-force to accomplish this very goal as soon as I take office.

Answer from Roxanne Qualls:

Cincinnati and Hamilton County will only grow stronger and more vibrant if there is greater cooperation and collaborations. Our fates are intertwined. The first week I am Mayor, I will re-establish the Shared Services Commission a joint City-County initiative to look at cost savings opportunities between Cincinnati and other political jurisdictions, including Hamilton County. I will collaborate with County leadership on a regular basis as I did when I was Mayor in the `90's on issues of mutual interest and concern, eg MSD, the Port Authority, major transportation investments.


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.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.


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Created: January 15, 2014 17:15 PST
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