Cincinnati City Council candidates

Winners in order of the most votes are as follows:

Roxanne Qualls
Cecil Thomas
Chris Bortz
Jeff Berding
Leslie Ghiz
Chris Monzel
Charlie Winburn
Laure Quinlivan
Laketa Cole

All 19 candidates are listed below with a brief biography.

Leslie Ghiz is running for re-election in city council. Ghiz was raised in Hunnington, West Virginia. She attended West Virginia University and received a bachelor’s degree in English. She earned her jurist doctorate from Capital University located in Columbus in 1994 and now resides in North Avondale with her husband, Steve and son, George. Ghiz was elected in 2005 and re-elected in 2007. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Law and Public Safety and Economic Development committees and as a Member of the Finance Committee. As a member of city council, Ghiz fought to increase police walking patrols and public safety technology in the city budget, restored funding to a drug and gun elimination program and worked with residents in Mt. Washington to preserve a 4-acre wetland for use as a nature preserve by Cincinnati school children. If re-elected, Ghiz is committed to reducing crime, creating and retaining jobs, and improving the quality of life for fellow residents. – Ashlee Stephens | The News Record

Greg Harris is running for re-election in city council. Harris earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. at Miami University and also taught there for six years. Harris resides in West Price Hill with his wife and two children. He serves on the board of the Jewish Community Relations Council and is a member of the West Price Hill Civic Club. Councilman Harris supports strengthening enforcement of Cincinnati’s Chronic Nuisance Ordinance. Councilmember Harris also pursued new strategies to alleviate jail overcrowding, safeguard police morale and support programs that divert youth from the criminal life. – Ashlee Stephens | The News Record

Amy Murray, a Republican of Hyde Park, is running for City Council for Cincinnati. She was previously the President of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Council. Murray advocates supporting small and local business, works to create co-op programs between universities and colleges in the area and local businesses. Murray supports the Early Start program and plans to back programs that give tax credits and scholarships to low-income families. Murray is also a proponent of green space. Murray is also currently working with Cincinnati police to find a way to reduce violence in the city. – Abbey Morris | The News Record

Roxanne Qualls was first elected to Cincinnati City Council in 1991. In ’93, she became the Mayor of Cincinnati until ’99. As mayor, Qualls cleaned up the riverfront and reconstructed Fort Washington Way. She returned to council in 2007. She supports form-based codes, which emphasize the aesthetic side of building locale rather than the use of the building. Form-based codes are community built, so Qualls plan to involve community members in the new zoning. Qualls is also a proponent of remaking Cincinnati’s streets so to emphasize access for people, not cars. She has two committees: The Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee, which is working on reconstructing I-75 from the Brent Spence Bridge to I-275, and the Vibrant Neighborhoods Committee which takes care of issues such as littering, liquor licenses and the Neighborhood Enhancement Program. – Abbey Morris | The News Record

Laure Quinlivan, former I-Team investigative reporter for Channel 9 News was born in a small town outside Toledo, Ohio before attending Miami University where she studied Mass Communications. She moved to Cincinnati where she currently resides in Mt. Lookout serving on their community council, as well as community council for Columbia-Tusculum. She represents the Democratic Party. Quinlivan states her stance on the issues is, “Cleaner, Greener and Smarter.” She works for clean air, clean water and a litter-free landscape. She voices concerns such as the overflowing of sewers, pollution of the rivers, asthma due to poor air quality and the abundance of litter in the city, pushing for public education to make Cincinnati cleaner. Quinlivan will also support more efforts to make the city environmentally friendly such as urban farms, community gardens and alternative energy resources. Laure Quinlivan asserts she will be a watchdog over the taxpayers’ money, stating the smartest move would be to eliminate wasteful spending and promote Cincinnati by creating jobs and bringing new business to city residents. Quinlivan is a proponent to the possible streetcars and furthering equality in Cincinnati. This would her first term in City Council. – Kate Barrier | The News Record

Cecil Thomas, born in Birmingham, Ala., moved to Cincinnati when he was eight years old. Thomas joined the Cincinnati Police Cadet program, through which he received his college education. Upon graduating, he joined the Cincinnati Police Department. He spent 27 years on the CPD, working in every district and on various special assignments such as undercover narcotics, robbery task force, investigative unit and homicide task force. Thomas retired from the police force in 2000 to become executive directorship of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission. Under his direction, the CHRC became nationally recognized as a top human relations organization. He stepped down from the CHRC later to run for Cincinnati City Council for which he is now running for re-election. Thomas represents the Democratic Party. His stance on the issues focuses on improving public safety and police-community relations, expanding employment opportunities through educational and economical development, cleaning up the environment through the growth of the green industry and restoring neighborhood business districts. – Kate Barrier | The News Record

LaMarque Ward is member of the Democratic Party. He is employed as a teacher for the Cincinnati Job Corps and founded the Cincinnati Dream Academy, a program that works through basketball to encourage youths. With the help of a basketball scholarship, he graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in individualized studies. As a member of City Council, Ward plans to address the strategic youth engagement, community and police restrictions and the true community inclusion. – Amanda Woodruff | The News Record

Bernadette Watson is a native Cincinnatian and worked as former Mayor Charlie Luken’s chief of staff for five years. She was president of Avondale’s Community Council from 1996-99. Watson also served as the public information officer for the Cincinnati Health Department’s Office of Community Advocacy for approximately two-and-a-half years. She is the co-chair of the Cincinnati Democratic Committee. Watson endorses the streetcar line, stating it would add jobs to the Cincinnati community, but does not agree with the wording of Issue 9. She is retired and lists quality of life issues, employment and the development of all Cincinnati neighborhoods as her top priorities if elected. Watson is also endorsed by the Cincinnati AFL-CIO and the Miami Group Sierra Club. – Gin A. Ando | The News Record

Anitra Brockman is a first-time candidate for Cincinnati City Council. She was born and raised in Cincinnati, and a member of the Green Party. She received an MBA in Human Resource Management. Brockman is currently employed at Southwestern College as the department chair for the business management program, where she was chosen for the 2008 Instructor of the Year award. Brockman is a proponent of public safety and the Citizens on Patrol program. She hopes to increase revenue, reduce crime and prevent privatization of government to keep citizens’ input. She encourages the creation and sustaining of small, local businesses, economic growth in urban planning, improvements in youth development programs and more efficient public transportation, such as streetcars in order to retain residents and promote tourism. – Elise Lotz | The News Record

Laketa Cole is a candidate for Cincinnati City Council, and was previously elected in 2003 as the first black woman on city council. She was elected again in 2005, and voted President Pro-Tem by her colleagues. She is a native Cincinnatian, and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wittenberg University. She is a member of the Democratic Party. A major platform for Cole is neighborhood development and ensuring that all neighborhoods receive quality city services. – Elise Lotz | The News Record

Chris Bortz, a Republican, is a Cincinnati Native, and had been a member of Cincinnati City Council since 2005. His main focus is on job creation, and economic development, including continued implementation of the Growth Opportunity. As well as the Cincinnati Plan, which are a shared service opportunity among regional governments, and an increased investment in infrastructure and the built environment. In September of 2006, Mayor Mallory appointed Bortz as a Co-Chair of Growth and Opportunity Cincinnati, a comprehensive economic growth strategy for the city, with a primary focus on creating jobs, developing workforce, and revitalizing city neighborhoods. In addition to GO Bortz is also the Chair of the Economic Development Committee, Vice Chair of Rules and Government Operations Committee, board member for Breakthrough Collaborative and member of the Finance Committee, Education, Health, and Recreation committees. He is also a member of the Arts, Culture and Tourism Committees. – Steph Fuhr | The News Record

Jeff Berding, a Democrat, is a Cincinnati native, and has been a member of Cincinnati City Council since 2005. Berding had proposed a number of initiates to help families avoid foreclosure, as well as work to bring jobs and businesses to Cincinnati, prevent police and fore lay offs, and promote bicycling. He is the of Chair of Rules and Government Operations Committee, he oversees to make the counsel more orderly, and also the Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee, and serves on the Economic Development, Health, Environment, Education, Law and Public Safety. In his early career, Berding helped form a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, Charities, members of the NAACP, and other concerned citizens dedicated to reforming city government. He helped lead the coalition in 1999 to pass the reform that allows city voters to directly elect their mayor. Berding worked for formed U.S. Senator John Glenn, formed Ohio Attorney General Celebrezze, and former Congressman David Man. Berding has led a successful national campaign to protect funding for higher education. Although he lost his endorsement, Berding is still running for a position in city council. – Steph Fuhr | The News Record

Tony Fischer is a city council candidate who has been endorsed by the Hamilton County Democratic Party, Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council, Cincinnati Federation of Teachers and the Homebuilders Association of Greater Cincinnati, among others. Fischer was raised in Cincinnati and graduated from Cincinnati Public Schools. He currently lives in Madisonville. In December 2002, he enlisted in the U.S. Army infantry after earning his degree in foreign service from Georgetown University. He was honorably discharged in August 2008. Fischer volunteered for the Barack Obama presidential campaign in Cincinnati and was chosen by President- and Vice President-elect as one of Cincinnati’s two official representatives to the inaugural ceremonies. Fischer’s platform focuses on five main areas: jobs and economic development, crime and public safety, strong neighborhoods, responsive city services and energy and environment. Fischer has a strong focus on increasing the city’s total projected savings by $11 million. – Ginny Walters | The News Record

Kevin Flynn is a City Council Candidate, a life-long Cincinnatian and a graduate of LaSalle High School. Flynn graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a philosophy degree and went on to UC Law School, graduating in 1987. He is currently a real estate attorney and an adjunct professor at the UC College of Law. The Cincinnati Enquirer, Equality Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police have endorsed Flynn. Flynn’s major issue is public safety. His plan for economic redevelopment includes partnering with private enterprises that have been successful for both business and residential growth.  – Ginny Walters | The News Record

Chris Monzel, a Republican born in Hamilton has served on the Cincinnati City Council from 2001-03 and once again since 2005. For the past five years sponsored resolutions to roll back city property tax rates. Member of the councils Law & Public Safety Committee, Finance Committee, and Health, Tourism, Small Business Development, Employment Committee. Instrumental in the establishment of the city's Housing Docket, which allows for criminal penalties for slumlords. Also had a role in pushing through council managed competition, a process in which city employees bid against the private sector for the delivery of services. Has sponsored various motions during his tenure to cut waste at City Hall. Recently was the first city councilmember to sign COAST's No-Tax pledge. His primary goals include reducing crime and improving the quality of life in all neighborhoods. Fiscal responsibility by balancing the city budget without laying off police or firefighters. Responsive city government by working smarter to eliminate waste and inefficiency. Monzel is endorsed by the Hamilton County Republican Party, COAST, Cincinnati Police Union F.O.P. Lodge 69, Cincinnati Firefighters Union Local 48, Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors. – James Sprague | The News Record

Nicholas Hollen, a Cincinnati-born Democrat, will be running for the first time in November's election. He is currently the area Community Outreach/Disaster Services coordinator for the American Red Cross. Was also a supervisor on the Dallas Damage Assessment for the American Red Cross. Has also been on the Board of Directors of United Cerebral Palsy and president of the Westwood Civic Association. He is working for neighborhood revitalization through economic development, community-specific action plans, and combating blight; renewed interest in children by focusing on health and early education; crime prevention and public safety. Hollen is endorsed by the Hamilton County Democratic Party, Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council, Cincinnati Women's Political Caucus, Equality Cincinnati, Cincinnati Enquirer, Sheet Metal Workers Local 24, Laborer's Local 265, Plumbers, Pipefitters and Mechanical Equipment Service Workers Local 392, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 212, Asbestos Workers Local 8, Cincinnati Federation of Teachers. – James Sprague | The News Record

Charlie Winburn, Cincinnati, has served on the Cincinnati City Council before, from 1993 until 2001, in which he helped economic growth, but withdrew from his term early to be with his wife while she recovered from breast cancer. While on council he was known as Cincinnati’s Crime Fighter, where he won the National League of Cities Award in 1998 for his work against drug trafficking. Winburn has 10 key issues he stands firmly behind. His first priority is focusing on the future of Cincinnati’s retirement system, because of its $300 million dip in funding since the first of the year. He urged the Cincinnati mayor and city council to use the $200 million for the streetcar system and put it towards retirement. Winburn would also like to put funding toward a waste project, create 10,000 new jobs in 52 cities, educate citizens on “The Key to Success and Our Future,” and set up a security and safety first plan for Cincinnati. – John Hatfield | The News Record

Wendell Young, Avondale, has 25 years of experience in crime prevention and punishment and 13 years of administrative experience. He was the assistant director of personnel and equal employment opportunity officer for the city of Cincinnati for seven years, worked as the assistant to police academy commander, and was recruited to the metropolitan sewer district of Greater Cincinnati where he served as the diversity manager and training institute director. Young has three key areas that he would like to focus on: public safety, economic growth and development and environmental health. To promote public safety, Young, would like to start a relationship between the police and neighborhoods to reduce crime through crime reporting allow more police to patrol the streets. He would also like to work closely with neighborhoods that seem to breed crime and make an effort to reduce the growth. When developing economic growth, he would like to diversify downtown by increasing opportunities for smaller businesses, promote, and provide funding for job training programs. For environmental health he would like to urge regional cooperations to solve air and water pollution problems, help push public transportation to reduce our carbon footprint, and promote green development by encouraging the use of recycled material. – John Hatfield | The News Record

George Zamary, a Republican, was born in Youngstown, graduated summa cum laude at OSU, and obtained a Law degree from Capital University. He started his career 10 years ago as a clerk for Judge Arthur M. Ney, Jr. of the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, and later worked as an Associate with Rendigs, Fry, Kiely & Dennis, LLP and Buckley King, LPA. He specialized in civil defense litigation with an emphasis on construction matters. Zamary is presently a partner with The Drew Law Firm Co., LPA. In 2005 he was recognized by Law and Politics Magazine as a "Rising Star, Ohio Super Lawyer," and in 2007 he was selected to participate in the Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers. Zamary provides three categories of issues for his campaign: public safety, financial accountability, and revitalizing Cincinnati’s tax base. He relates all of these issues with respect to current financial difficulties. Regarding public safety, Zamary argues in campaign literature that the City Council is inefficiently managing police resources as current proposals call for the elimination of 138 officer positions in a addition to the fact that an estimated 115 officers were added at an expense of 2.7 million dollars back in 2006. He states that the Council should expand the data collection and analysis policies that are being cooperatively undertaken by the Cincinnati Police Department and the University of Cincinnati, as well as community crime-prevention programs such as "Good Guys Loitering." Regarding financial accountability and revitalizing Cincinnati’s tax base, Zamary maintains in his campaign literature that he will not increase taxes, proposing instead tax cuts and a requirement that department and agency directors identify five to ten percent in cuts within their budgets each year for the next Council term. Zamary believes these financial changes will lead to the revitalization of the city by way of increasing business and population growth. – Chris Gill | The News Record