City Council candidates are asked to fill out a great number of questionnaires for various organizations. I will try to post those questions and my answers here, for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of my politics.

-Justin Jeffre

These questions are from CincyPAC.

What makes you uniquely qualified to serve on Cincinnati City Council?

I am qualified to serve on City Council because I strive to be a well-informed citizen watchdog, concerned with protecting the interests of our people and not the interests of the favored few. City Council has become largely a playing ground for local lawyers to work their connections, which leads to deals like Corporex getting a 30 million dollar parking garage while the people get a hidden tax increase. We need leadership that is visionary and has a global perspective in order to compete with cities around the world. Having traveled extensively I saw first hand what Cincinnati's strengths and weaknesses are. I understand the needs of our people and I believe that putting people first will lead to a Cincinnati renaissance.

What are your top 3 priorities and why?

We must put people first. Public servants have a fiduciary responsibility to all the people they serve, not just large campaign contributors. Being fiscally responsible means reforming corporate welfare to ensure living wages, environmental protection and a good return on investment for the entire community. We need to re-evaluate our inverted priorities. Bus-stop benches and curb appeal cannot come before health clinics and the basic needs of our people. City Council's Draconian marijuana ordinance is too expensive, racially biased, and Commissioner Portune and several judges have said it is a major source of overcrowding in our jails. We should not be giving people permanent criminal records that will deny access to scholarships, housing, and employment opportunities for this non-violent offence. This is bad public policy and I intend to work with the Vice-mayor to repeal this ordinance.

Economic development should be open and transparent. Public funding of projects behind closed doors must stop. All transactions involving public funds should be open to the people and progress should be communicated to the taxpayers. Inclusive economic development should focus on the common benefit and involve all stakeholders in our community. Traditionally, minorities have not been invited to the table from day one and in 2007 this is unacceptable.

Planned progress for a sustainable future. I believe good environmental policy is good economic policy 100% of the time. In Cincinnati the only thing we manage to recycle is politicians and that is not good for our environment or our economy. I plan to introduce tougher environmental justice legislation with real teeth that will take a bite out of crimes against our greatest resources, our environment and our people. With bold vision and good leadership Cincinnati can become what it once was, a destination location that attracts outside dollars and creates a wealth of opportunities.

Why should CincyPAC support your candidacy?

CincyPAC should support my candidacy because I understand the importance of your issues and I am committed to working with you. We need a campaign that is about empowering the people of this great City. Too often, politics becomes a playing ground for the favored few, and the rest of the City feels powerless and disconnected. We need to sell Cincinnati back to Cincinnatians, and that means getting all of our people more involved. I have been working on a media reform initiative, in our city, which represents the diversity in our community. Giving people a voice in the discussion about our future encourages participation instead of apathy.

What new initiatives do you propose to attract and retain talent in Cincinnati?

The City of Cincinnati has a self-image problem. Our City has so much to offer but we are our own worst critics. We can restore our confidence by promoting our strengths, identifying, and addressing our weaknesses. We need to embrace and promote what is positive, and show those of us who are already here how to fall in love with our hometown again. That is necessary as a first step before we try to get new people to become long-term City residents. A local promotional program that begins in the community and develops into a national campaign could be adjusted as the future unfolds. This Greater Cincinnati initiative will showcase what makes Cincinnati unique while simultaneously creating a vehicle to move your citizen solutions to the forefront of our regional agenda.

What is your vision for Cincinnati 20 years from now? How do you plan to achieve this vision?

Cincinnati must live up to its rich heritage by becoming known, once again, as the best-governed city in the nation. A destination location that is known, around the world, as a cultural center. In 2027 I want Cincinnati to be known for leadership in developing green technologies, mass transportation, overcoming inequality, and providing opportunities for people to live up to their full human potential.

We stand at the crossroads. Is the future Cincinnati one built for the favored few, and those who have not yet come here? Or, is the Cincinnati of the future a place that makes the best city possible for those who currently live here? I think the latter is the place to start, but I feel that the current climate is working towards the former.

If you had to choose another city (or combination of cities) as a model for Cincinnati's future, which city(ies) would you choose and why?

I have traveled all over the world, and I can tell you that Cincinnati is unique in so many ways. We need to build upon our individuality, and turn ourselves into a place that truly stands on its own.

San Francisco, New York and Denver have mass transportation systems that allow commuters rapid and affordable access to their Business and Entertainment Districts. Linking the inner city to outer communities in a sustainable and efficient way lessens traffic congestion, improves air quality and provides lower cost housing options for everyone.

Branson, Missouri is a small town that has captured national recognition and a large tourism revenue stream. They capitalize on the attracting power of culture and entertainment. Money flows into this town from all over the world and benefits the whole community. Examples of successful events abound around the country. Sturgis, SD's Bike Week, Santa Fe, NM's Indian Market, Oshkosh, WI's Air Show, Albuquerque, NM Balloon Fiesta all bring people from elsewhere to spend and enjoy activities. Santiago, Chile has skycars/airtrams that show how the sky is the limit. Cincinnati has more to offer than any of these places and the difference is imagination.

How will you work with the surrounding communities to lead as a region?

The key to global competitiveness is through regional cooperation and planning. The key to all relationships is communication. As I keep saying, we need to put people first. Part of that means establishing open dialog with our neighbors on a continuing and long-term basis. We must work to develop common sense solutions to the challenges our region faces. A comprehensive regional plan is needed to provide a framework for sustainable development and smart growth. We have more problems than we deserve and more citizen solutions than we implement. We should stop duplication of services wherever possible and collectively purchase supplies to reduce operating costs.

What is your plan to develop a better mass transit system?

At this time we must explore all of our options relating to transportation. Firstly, we need to have a bus system that is funded regionally. I think that a regional approach to mass transit that also benefits from regional dollars and not just city dollars is a necessary first step to improving our mass transit culture. Secondly, evaluating the cost and viability of a regional light rail system should be a priority for a long-term solution. Near term we must rely on technology to make our system more efficient. Having smaller flexible coaches would improve service and efficiency. Route coordination using computer and communication technology will allow for smaller vehicles during off-peak hours while providing special event transportation.

What economic inclusion policies would you champion to encourage the development of small or minority businesses in Cincinnati.

I think we need to end corporate welfare for the favored few. Such hand-outs send the message that only a select inner-circle of big-money businesses really matter. In reality, small and minority businesses are just as important, or even more important. We cannot continue to ignore their interests so we can fund big dollar giveaways. The best approach to developing loyal companies is to grow them. Streamlining the process for small and startup companies would remove many obstacles and creating incentives for aspiring entrepreneurs. Including more minority owned businesses in all city development contracts should be a priority to bridge the economic gap that causes our racial divide.

What is your plan for economic development in Cincinnati? How would you ensure that housing remains affordable?

The heart of economic development is growing our economy. I will be releasing a comprehensive neighborhood rescue plan soon. This plan is based on what we have in abundance (Vacant buildings and unemployed people.) Abandoned buildings and job training are dealt with as a part of this package. It includes Renters Equity programs and creates a path to home ownership for those currently denied that gives them a stake in their community. In looking toward any future policy development, I think decisions should be guided by discussion centered around some essential questions like: Does this policy treat people with respect? Does it provide quality service to those who need it? And, were these decisions made in collaboration with the communities involved?

What new incentives should Cincinnati offer to attract business to the city?

Economic incentives should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and should be driven by the good of the people. Incentives for job creation and training are needed but should be closely monitored and claw-back provisions enforced. Businesses are attracted to places where the labor force is trained and we have failed in that area. We find ourselves with many under-qualified and un-trained people to fill too few jobs. On the job training needs to be supported by the city and people need to be put back to work.

Do you feel unsafe in Cincinnati? Please address your concerns about public safety and how you propose to make a difference?

No I don't feel unsafe in Cincinnati. The problem is not just crime but rather the perception of crime. Crime is merely a symptom of a much deeper disease in our society. Dealing with the effect will never solve the problem. Poverty and inequality are the root cause of desperation and hopelessness. "There is nothing more dangerous in any society than a person with no home, no hope and nothing to lose." Unmet human needs promote insecurity. Addiction results from desperation and self-medicating because current reality is too painful. Gangs are a form of security for their members. Selling drugs provides income that pays the rent and buys food for someone. We can never be secure when we have the disparity of income and epidemic unmet needs. If people are left to hang out with nothing to do they will do something out of boredom and that is not usually positive in nature.

In our safest neighborhoods we don't need police on every corner because economic development and education work effectively. We need to stop subsidizing poverty wages and make sure all city contracts and incentives require jobs that pay a living wage. We need Jobs not Jails. We need policies that promote opportunities, not Draconian drug laws that take them away. Lastly, and most importantly, we need to build trust between the communities and police. People are the eyes and ears of the police in safe communities. When a neighborhood policeman is present and develops a relationship with the people by talking to them problems are identified early and can be corrected. When people aren't treated with respect or they fear the police then a dangerous situation can easily develop and get out of hand. We are all people that have chosen to live here and together we can do better.

With studies showing that every dollar spent on arts funding returns eight dollars to the economy, how does investment in the arts figure into your philosophy of economic development?

I may be biased on this issue because investment in the arts has provided a tremendous opportunity for me. Art enriches our lives and I support funding the arts even though other studies present much less return on investment than those you refer to. What art does in our lives is more intangible and cannot be measured in gallons, miles, inches or dollars. In Cincinnati we have world-class resources and many are under appreciated. We should encourage young talent and provide opportunities for their success.

How would you as a City Council member leverage the green space and our award winning Parks system to enhance employment opportunities within our city?

We need to use them, expand them and promote them. An expanded greenspace system in collaboration with communities and businesses can create a network that sustains partnerships between parks and employment. I think we need to be as creative as possible in thinking about how to enhance the City's environmental appeal -- from sending strong messages against polluters to capitalizing on our great park system and finding ways to capitalize and grow those investments.

We must clean, green, and leverage the twenty-two miles of scenic and historic river front and use it to benefit our city and our region. We can no longer let so many opportunities float on by.

Community gardening improves health and food security. The farther our food travels, the more pollution its transportation causes. We should support small organic local farming for economic growth, health, well-being, and security. Community gardening is a way to connect our people and culture back to the land and to promote environmental and economic sustainability. Community gardens can be used for a more restorative justice that seeks to rehabilitate and heal rather than merely to punish. We must recycle people through programs that restore our humanity, instead of criminal factories that seek to take it away.

What would you do to address the interstate and gateway eyesores that reflect badly on the look of our city?

Anytime we are faced with massive alterations to our City's infrastructure, I think we should base those decisions on some guiding principals to insure quality and consistency: How will this change improve mobility? How will it improve the face of the City? Will it displace any residents? What do surrounding communities think? Will any area corporations invest in or sponsor the project, and at what exchange rate? Is this a socially responsible and necessary change?

I think any project that satisfactorily addresses these guiding principles is one worthy of support.

If elected, how would you set policy to enhance our city's ability to compete for research and technology jobs that may come in the future?

Policy should support job creation and training while promoting our educational resources. I think it is important to have a clear vision for our future, but at the same time I don't know how we can be expected to continually create policy based on speculation. Rather than creating specific policies based on speculatives, I think we just need to clearly articulate expectations. For example, how equipped is our City to handle these new jobs? What will it cost to bring them? What can we expect in terms of a return on that investment? What can we expect if that investment does not pay back? How can we protect not only the investment in potential jobs, but in the interests of citizens who trust us to be stewards of their tax dollars.

What role should the city of Cincinnati - and City Council - play in supporting the arts?

I support the arts. I think a community is made more vibrant and enjoyable for the average citizen by the arts than a $30 million parking garage paid for by raised taxes in a corporate handout to Corporex. So often, we find millions of dollars for the favored few, while things like arts hit the chopping block. We must be more fiscally responsible with our spending, using it for things that improve the lives of all Cincinnatians, and not just some insiders with sweetheart deals.

How do you propose to strengthen the relationship between the City and our media sources to help form a more positive message for our region?

Media reform is the number one issue in America today. Mass media leads to mass hypnosis and independent media fosters independent thinking. Your question seems strangely worded, as if the City and the media should partner for the purposes of public relations. The job of media is to be a watchdog for things like politics. There should not be a "partnership" if that is what you mean. Media should seek to hold politicians accountable for the truth. A City that values good journalism and that can stand for truth is a stronger city, and a more just City. That's what we need, not corporatized cheerleading sponsored by government-media partnerships.