More questions for candidates

Here are some new questions from readers for candidates for Cincinnati City Council. All 25 candidates now have guest posting privileges on this blog. All have agreed to post their positions and answer questions from readers here as part of our ongoing endorsement evaluation process. A reminder to the candidates: Please put your positions and answers up as fresh posts, not just as comments to this post. Readers can comment on any entry.

The questions:

The environment has always been an issue in the life of any community, but it has been getting more attention lately, so I’m hopeful we’ll get some candidates leading on this issue. What are your plans for public transportation, environmentally sustainable building practices, making local food readily available, holding corporate polluters accountable, and/or recycling?
Elizabeth Metz, Clifton

Last winter five council members attempted to kill city funding for human services. After four standing-room-only public hearings, council “compromised” by cutting those funds from 1.5 percent to 0.06 percent of the budget.
What is your position on this issue?
Kathy Helmbock, Oakley

With looming budget deficits, how and will you focus on core services such as safety and building and inspections issues?
Joni Mataitis, College Hill