League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 8, 2005 Election
	Diana Herbe Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Forest Park

Questions & Answers

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

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.

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

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.

3. What steps would you take to ensure that all public facilities are accessible to people with disabilities? (100 words limit)

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.

4. What specific steps will you take to expand recycling services in your community? (100 words limit)

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.

5. What steps would you take to provide affordable housing for all residents of your community? (100 words limit)

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.