Marilyn Hyland Q & AMarilyn answers the questions of concerned residents.Question: I notice much of your campaign literature contains the slogan "If you support Marilyn Hyland, it is critical that you vote for her on March 7. Before she can beat Bob Bedinghaus in November, she must first win the Democratic primary." Do you think it is premature to be targeting Commissioner Bedinghaus, when a large obstacle such as defeating Councilman Portune remains? I notice you are quick to label Bedinghaus "Billion Dollar Bob." Will Democrats like myself also see you label Councilman Portune for his actions as a member of city council? If so, do you think this is for the good of the party? Also, if you fail to receive the nomination in March, will you run as an independent? Asked By: Drew Answer: I do not think it's premature to target Bob Bedinghaus, even though my more immediate concern is defeating Todd Portune in the March 7 primary. The biggest issue in the county commissioner race is the Bengals stadium contract. I cannot campaign for the office without discussing the stadium deal, and to do that, it is necessary to discuss the role that Mr. Bedinghaus played in the negotiations. At the same time, it is reasonable to inform voters of Mr. Portune's role in the stadium lease. As you may know, city council unanimously approved the agreement after the county commissioners did. Therefore, Mr. Portune cannot logically criticize the outrageous provisions of the contract. If, for example, millions of dollars in taxpayer penalties were a bad idea, then why didn't Mr. Portune or other members of city council speak out against it in the first place? As for whether my comments are good for the Democratic Party, that is not my concern. My bigger concern is for the citizens of Hamilton County, regardless of their political affiliation. I am a Democrat, but I will not withhold criticism of an issue or an individual just because someone in my party disagrees.
In response to your last question -- no, I cannot run as an independent in
the fall because I am running in the March 7 primary.
Question: I see on your website that you will get rid of the e-check program. I don't like it either, but what can you do about it? As I understand it, we are required by state law to have our cars tested. Asked By: Ted Answer: You're right, the county commissioners do not have the authority to single-handedly do away with E-Check. However, I believe the commissioners can use the influence of their office to work with state lawmakers and environmental regulators to eliminate this costly and ineffective program. Instead of trying to do something about it, however, our current commissioners have apparently concluded that there is nothing they can do, therefore, nothing gets done regarding that particular issue. I've said it before and I'll say it again -- the overwhelming majority of vehicles pass the E-Check program. The older automobiles that do the most polluting are not even required to be tested! It doesn't make any sense. There is no evidence that E-Check has reduced air pollution in Hamilton County. We should come up with a program that actually works, and do away with the one that doesn't.
Question: Your campaign ad states that you will renegotiate the stadium lease with the Bengals. How do you propose to renegotiate a deal that has already been signed? What if Mike Brown refuses to renegotiate? Does Hamilton County have any legal right to make him?Secondly, why should any American vote for a politician from a corrupt political organization like the Democrat Party? The party that has inflicted thinking Americans with 7+ years of an amoral, criminal for a President. A party that apologizes and makes excuses for this President's amoral, criminal behavior. as the Democrat party?)Most importantly, why should I vote for you? I am not a Republican. However, I am very sick and tired of the corruption and sleaziness of the current Democrat party leadership. Asked By: Andrew Answer: As you may know, a taxpayer lawsuit has been filed against the Hamilton County Commissioners that may result in certain portions of the stadium lease being renegotiated bycourt order. I am not involved in the lawsuit, but it raises many of the same issues that I have been talking about for a long time.It would not be necessary to go to court, however, if Mike Brown and the county commissioners would sit down and renegotiate voluntarily. You are right when you say that the deal has already been signed. However, a contract is only as good as the parties who signed it, and eitherone can request that it be renegotiated. I believe that Mike Brown can be persuaded to renegotiate in the interest of good citizenship.As for your belief that the Democrat Party is corrupt, I would say that there is good and bad in any organization. Every political party has experienced its share of corruption. Just as I see what I believe to be unethical behavior among certain Republicans who control HamiltonCounty government, I have also personally witnessed unethical practices by certain Democrats. No political party is inherently good or evil. I believe we should judge our political leaders and candidates on their own individual merits.In response to your comment about an “amoral, criminal President” (I assume you are referring to President Clinton), I stated on national television two years ago that Mr. Clinton should have admitted what he did, instead of covering it up. I believe Mr. Clinton has done some very good things for this country. But I would agree that his achievements have been tarnished by his personal problems.
Question: You talk about controlling urban sprawl. I know you’ve been working with the homeowners inwestern Hamilton County to stop the Western Hamilton County Collaborative Plan from being implemented because you claim it would lead to unnecessary development. But I also understand you are a big believer in developing light rail and commuter rail. Won’t that lead to urban sprawl, too? Asked By: Linda Answer: On the contrary. The evidence shows that commuter rail, when developed properly, can help limit urban sprawl. With coordinated planning, it stablizes and revitalizes existingneighborhoods, villages and towns along the track, thereby enabling the planning of parks, open spaces and farmlands elsewhere in the county. Passenger rail would provide an important link between downtown Cincinnati and the outlying towns and villages. It would provide a fast, inexpensive alternative way for commuters to travel downtown and back home.
Question: How can you possibly get Mike Brown to renegotiate the Bengals stadium contract? The county commissioners have already signed it. Asked By: Troy
Answer: With enough pressure, I believe Mike Brown can be persuaded to renegotiate the contract. I am encouraging everyone who thinks the contract is a bad deal for taxpayers to write letters to Mr. Brown and the Hamilton County Commissioners. Surely, Mr. Brown realizes that he must do something to enhance his image among football fans and the citizens of this community. One way to do it would be to compromise on some of the most outrageous provisions in the original agreement.
If Mr. Brown will not be reasonable, there may be legal recourse for the taxpayers. I believe an argument could be made that because public funds are being used irresponsibly (for example, guaranteed ticket sales), the contract was improperly negotiated and approved. It is conceivable that a judge would declare the Bengals stadium agreement null and void, which would force the two sides back to the bargaining table. I do not want to stop construction of the project. But I do believe the lease agreement should be more fair to the taxpayers who are funding the stadium.
Question: I initially supported your effort against Tom Neyer in 1998, primarily due to your support of Broadway Commons. Then, as I recall, you changed your mind and said you'd vote against the Red's stadium at the Commons. To me, that sank your chances to beat Neyer. Please explain why now I should support you vs. Bedinghaus. Will you change your mind again? Asked By: Jim Answer: I did not change my mind about Broadway Commons. I always believed (and still do) that Broadway Commons would be a much better location for a baseball stadium than the "wedge" that is now being planned. However, I did change my position on Issue 11. Issue 11, as you may recall, would have established a county charter for the purpose of building a baseball stadium at Broadway Commons. I initially opposed Issue 11 for one reason only --- I did not believe a county charter was a good idea. Many citizens in the townships were concerned that a charter would put too much power in the hands of our county commissioners. I felt that, as a county commissioner, I could have worked together with John Dowlin to build Broadway Commons WITHOUT the creation of a charter. However, it was brought to my attention that Issue 11 would have taken effect immediately upon passage, which would have afforded protection of the Broadway Commons proposal during the two months before I would have been sworn in as a commissioner. Therefore, I decided to support Issue 11 as a safeguard against Commissioners Neyer and Bedinghaus speeding up negotiations with the Reds in November and December of 1998. Unfortunately, my position was confusing to many people. I regret that there was not sufficient time to explain my decision thoroughly in the last few days before the election.
In hindsight, I realize I could have handled that situation better. But I hope you can appreciate the fact that I do keep an open mind regarding issues and am willing to listen to reason and work with citizens.
Question: In your commercial, you mentioned that cleaning up litter is one of your issues, but you don't explain how you'll do it. Can you elaborate? Asked By: Linda
Answer: As you can imagine, it's impossible to go into much detail in a 60 second radio commercial, so I'm glad to have an opportunity to explain my position on that issue. Our highways are an embarrassment. Everywhere you drive in Cincinnati and Hamilton County, especially on the interstates, there is litter along the side of the road. This makes a terrible impression on visitors who are passing through, and that can't be good for attracting new business to our region. Currently, there are many jurisdictions throughout the county, but nobody seems to know who is really responsible for making sure litter gets picked up. The Ohio Department of Transportation blames the cities for not enforcing existing litter laws. The cities and Hamilton County say it's the state's responsibility to keep the interstate highways and the Norwood Lateral clean. As a county commissioner, I will seek funding to hire full time crews to pick up litter. I will also work together with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department to use non-violent jail inmates to clean up trash in exchange for reduced sentences.
The cleaner our highways are, the better an impression we will make on visitors, and the better we will all feel about Hamilton County.
Question: I've heard that you are opposed to commercial and expanded residential development in western Hamilton County. What's wrong with development if investors want to risk their own money? The city of Cincinnati wouldn't exist if it weren't for developers. Asked By:
Answer: I am not opposed to all development, but I AM opposed to urban sprawl. In other words, the uncontrolled and unnecessary development of rural land. We have a real treasure and economic resource in the 27,000 acres of farmland in western Hamilton County. Half of this farmland will likely disappear under a plan approved last year by the Hamilton County Commissioner. This plan, known as the Western Hamilton County Collaborative Plan, establishes guidelines to accommodate aggressive growth. For example, under this plan, farmers could suddenly be burdened by costly sewer and water assessments as a result of new commercial and residential development. This would make it impossible for many farmers to keep their property. In order to afford the sewer and water assessments, many would have no choice other than to sell to developers, which in turn will result in more sprawl. The Western Hamilton County Collaborative Plan disinvests the city of Cincinnati and other existing villages and neighborhoods of our whole county. With the amount of vacant office space in downtown Cincinnati and the number of shopping malls in our region, there is no need for more of this kind of development in western Hamilton County. The citizens have made it clear that they prefer the #1 low-growth scenario of the plan, but our county commissioners would not listen. The plan is now being returned to the townships and municipalities in western Hamilton County for their review. I am continuing to work with Concerned Citizens of Western Hamilton County in their efforts to obtain a more acceptable plan that is truly a collective community vision. |