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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,
Economic,
Rental property
Click on a name for 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 Tim Dicke:
I have served the people of Madeira over the last 4 years.
I have voted to cut taxes while keeping a balanced budget.
I will work to continue to improve streets and safety.
Answer from Mark D Culp:
Wilmington College, Bachelor's degree in Business Management. 19 years experience auditing and advising businesses on how to function more efficiently and effectively. Working knowledge of city documents and procedures.
Answer from Mike Steur:
11 years of experience as a volunteer for the City of Madeira on the Recreation & Parks Board, including 6 as Chairman. Improvements during this tenure include McDonald Commons lighting, new turf at the High School and its shared use by Madeira residents, and construction of the new Veterans' Memorial.
Answer from Rick Brasington:
I am a current Madeira City Council member and chair of the Madeira Planning Commission, experience required to lead the city for the next four years. As a business manager and church officer I value the team approach and cooperation to solve problems; a method well suited for council.
Answer from Jim Horwitz:
MBA, Univesity of Washington. BFA, University of Cincinnati. Planning Commissioner 2005-2008, City of Madeira. Community volunteer and well seasoned businessperson with an extensive working knowledge of real estate, retail, small business operations and Madeira city processes and documents.
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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 Jim Horwitz:
1. Advocate new ordinances and procedures to make city government more accessible to our residents. Specifically, we need immediate and complete notes of public meetings made available, and we need back room decision making about volunteer positions brought out into the open.
2. We need to set a specific course of saving funds so the city is better positioned to invest in progressive development rather than let our city's development be 100% developer driven.
3. We need to prudently stress test our city budget to spend more efficiently and prepare ourselves to be more resilient during tough times.
Answer from Mike Steur:
The tax burden on Madeira residents can be reduced by bringing more business into Madeira. Development of the Central Business District will increase the value of real estate and generate additional revenue from real estate taxes. More business also means more employees generating additonal earning tax revenue. Streets and sidewalks will be maintained and improved through new grants, sensible long-term planning, and a proven budgeting process. Recreational zoning should be established to protect Madeira's parks and grants pursued for new park improvements. New recreation and educational programs will be developed by the Recreation and Parks Board and the Senior Commission.
Answer from Rick Brasington:
Central Business District - I am on the Advisory Group of the CBD study that will shape the appearance of the downtown; I will be able to guide those recommendations though the Planning Commission and Council.
Safety and Services - careful budgeting; forecast income low and costs high.
No new taxes while improving roads and extending sidewalks - grants and careful budgeting.
Answer from Tim Dicke:
Council, the last 4 years, has worked to reduce taxes while keeping a balanced budget. I will continue to do so while keeping the Police and Fire departments a number 1 priority. I moved to Madeira 14 years ago because it reminded me of my small hometown. I will keep Madeira a place where your kids can walk to school and play with confidence. We will continue with the safe walk school program and attempt to add more sidewalks.
Answer from Mark D Culp:
Employ proven financial risk and projected analysis efforts. Initiate an internal Continuous Improvement Program Plan to avoid tax increases and improve services.
Redirect efforts towards the Central Business District (CBD) by establishing milestones and metrics base on the wants and needs of the people. Update the CBD and Land Use Plans to reflect the disciplined development that was requested by Madeira residents. Establish an Architectural Review Board to foster and expedite the aforementioned development. Support Planning Commission efforts and protect historical assets.
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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)
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Answer from Rick Brasington:
1. Enhance revenue with business growth in the CBD through the Advisory Group recommendations, and encourage new business locating in Madeira through TIF financing and maintaining the excellence of the city.
2. Decrease spending by replacing tax money with grant money. Have had success with that approach in the Kenwood Road project, Safe Routes to Schools (sidewalks), and park enhancements (trails, restrooms).
Answer from Mark D Culp:
Implement proven business methodologies that will reduce cost, improve efficiency and maximize existing revenues. Increase revenue and support existing business by disciplined development of the Central Business District. The latest resident survey demonstrates the type of business development desired by the people.
Answer from Tim Dicke:
We have worked hard to bring new business and development to Madeira. Over the last 4 years, we have seen many old buildings replaced by new businesses, along with remodeled structures downtown. I will continue to work to make Madeira attractive for business owners and shoppers. I would like to see a large scale developement downtown with a family style dining. With the City Manager's help, we are working hard to monitor and watch expenses.
Answer from Mike Steur:
The city is in sound financial condition thanks to careful budgeting and spending by the current administration. I will promote continued development of the Central Business District to increase revenues and defer some discretionary spending in order to continue providing the high level of city services that Madeira residents receive at no extra cost - garbage service, snow removal, large item, leaves, brush and limb pickup.
Answer from Jim Horwitz:
The city is currently about $400,000 short in 2009 revenues due to lower than anticipated tax revenues. Therefore, rather than cover expenses out of our reserves (savings), we should look to cut expenses on services and staffing and vendor costs that are not as competitive as they should be. Secondly, we should look to raise revenues through stronger enforcement of zoning and permit laws that our community has already established.
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4. What steps should the local government take to ensure that the quality of rental property meets minimum legal standards? (100 word limit)
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Answer from Mark D Culp:
Legal standards should be driven by the needs and wants of homeowners given that home ownership for most residents represents a significant investment. Rental properties can directly impact this investment negatively if not properly controlled and managed. Therefore existing regulations should be revisited to determine if they adequately address the concerns of homeowners. Subsequently, the current enforcement process should be evaluated to determine if deviations from the standards are identified and addressed in a timely manner. Follow-up actions should be required to verify that corrective actions are sustained.
Answer from Jim Horwitz:
This is a non-issue in Madeira since we're dominated by single family homeowners, ranging from under $100,000 to over $1,000,000. We have very few rentals compared to most other communities - primarily due to our zoning and housing stock. Many rentals are not long term rentals, so the nature of our inventory is that they are in better condition than average. Our current zoning and building permit legislation addresses the condition of all properties and is mostly adequate in protecting our residents. What we can do better is to ensure enforcement of proper building permits and construction projects in the city.
Answer from Rick Brasington:
While there have not been problems in Madeira with rental properties, we must enforce our building and zoning codes to make sure they meet community standards. Madeira is a small community with a lean administration; we depend on citizens to alert the city if maintenance issues arise. Participation by citizens is at a high level in Madeira and that is a plus. If issues arise beyond enforcement, then new ordinances will be written and enforced.
Answer from Tim Dicke:
We currently have the Fire Department inspect all multi-families for fire hazards. We also have utilized a task force with Police, Fire, Health Department, and City building inspectors to look at not only rental property but vacant property as well.
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. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
