Ramon Batista, who is running against Moeller for mayor, did not attend the event.
RELATED: Ramon Batista challenges Pat Moeller for Hamilton mayor
One question each candidate was asked: What is the No. 1 priority for your term, if elected? In alphabetical order, here are part of each candidate’s answer:
- Robert Brown: "If elected, I will go back to (the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments) and retain my board seat, and help fund this project for our North Hamilton Crossing (a bridge over the Great Miami River that would link B Street with 3rd Street near where Northwest Washington Boulevard dead-ends at West Elkton Road near North B Street).
- Shaquila Mathews: "To definitely make sure that we continue on the excitement … that we feel in our city now, and to make sure that that effect is felt in the rest of our communities. If they see economic development, if they see safer communities, if they see cleaner communities, and that they see that this is truly one Hamilton, and that this is a city where everyone will feel comfortable to live in, where everyone will feel comfortable to want to raise their children in."
- Pat Moeller: "My No. 1 priority would be being responsible to our residential citizens, and business citizens. That's everything from answering a request to put up deer-crossing signs to my considering zoning issues at the planning commission, to reviewing infrastructure improvements needed for $100 million projects in our city."
- Timothy Naab: "Continued job growth, and prosperity in Hamilton. I want to continue to draw business, using creative, intuitive economic-development tools and resources."
- Shawna Noble: "My No. 1 priority is to streamline the process for businesses to invest in our community." She said Hamilton cannot beat areas like West Chester and Fairfield logistically (because of proximity to the interstate highway system), so we have to roll out the red carpet and do everything we can to incentivize businesses to invest here."
- Delbert Price: "My No. 1 priority, if elected to city council, will be the safety of our residents and first responders. Our streets need to be repaired."
- Michael Ryan: "My priorities, if I get elected, are unity, opportunities to create jobs in our city, continue our … trend of making our neighborhoods more beautiful and safe, and to continue to grow the opportunities that abound…. I want to enhance the arts and entertainment for all ages to enjoy."
On Nov. 7, the positions of mayor and three of the six other council seats will be up for election.
At least one newcomer will join the council in January because Council Member Rob Wile did not seek re-election.
The mayor and each council term is four years.
Three other current council members (Vice Mayor Carla Fiehrer, Council Member Matt Von Stein and Council Member Kathleen Klink) are not up for re-election because their four-year terms started in January 2016.
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