FIRST, GIVE A VERY BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR PAST EXPERIENCES, ESPECIALLY ANY SERVICE ON ELECTED OR APPOINTED GROUPS OR BOARDS.

1. HOW WOULD YOU PERSONALLY PLAN TO REPLACE OR REINSTATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID (LGA) FUNDS TO CITIES WHICH HAVE BEEN CUT DRASTICALLY THE PAST FEW YEARS?

Aside from writing a check, I couldn't personally effect replacement of Local Government Aid. This revenue will again become available only through control of spending or tax revenue increases at state and federal levels. It is what it is.

We were alerted to these anticipated cuts almost three years ago (Feb. 15, 2007) and were cautioned to curb capital improvement spending. We didn't do that, so we must seek additional revenue locally (property taxes and franchise fees).

Strict spending control should be initiated until the one-in-six unemployed workers have jobs, the economy improves, LGA becomes available, the sun comes out, the bluebirds sing and life is wonderful again.

2. WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF THE PROPER ROLE OF THE STAPLES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)?

The EDA has graduated to a full-blown city department, like the public works or police departments and requires a full compliment of expense investment.

This department of Economic Development, like any other city department, should supply a service to the residents. Their multi faceted product would be; efficiently manage existing city development investments; assure that investment expectations are realized; acquire opportunities to broaden the tax base and strengthen the community (which should be put before the council and electors for traditional capital improvement approval).

This department should be held to the same "cost/ vs/benefit" budget scrutiny as other departments managed by the city administrator.

The need for expanding the authority of this department is doubtful and (if legal) should obviously require Charter amendment and elector approval.