By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

CANDIDATES

Thomas Williams Age: 63 Family: wife Mary Ann; two grown children, Tom Jr. and Lisa Cartuyvelles, and three grandchildren. Home: 5701 Varelman Court Education: Graduated from Norwood High School. E-mail: t2willia@zoomtown.com Victor Schneider Age: 38 Family: wife Debi Schneider, four children ages 4 to 10 years old Home: 4007 Floral Ave. Education: Graduated from Scarlet Oaks Vocational School in 1983 and completed other vocational and management courses. E-mail: mayorvic@cinci.rr.com

ELECTION GUIDE

Election Guide 2003 Cincinnati.com provides an early look at the Nov. 4 vote with help on getting you registered, lists of area candidates and the latest campaign news. And there's more to come, including candidate profiles - as we get closer to Election Day.

Victor Schneider, 38, was Norwood's public works superintendent before Republicans picked him to replace Joe Hochbein, who resigned in May as mayor. Thomas Williams, 63, is a Democratic councilman and retired police captain.

They're competing for a part-time job that pays $31,950 a year.

Question: What is the biggest problem facing Norwood and how would you address it?

Williams: Finances. Back when times were really good, we borrowed money and now we're saddled with payments on that debt. Good managers get the job done with less. Show (residents) results. Show them street maintenance. Show them you don't necessarily have to pay overtime to cut the grass.

Schneider: The gut reaction would be finances, but I think the biggest problem is long-term planning and commitment to those long-term plans. There has to be some continuity - systems put in place that are easily bought into by the next administration or council.

Q: What do you think of plans to widen and extend Norwood Avenue, and other proposed road changes around Montgomery Road and the Norwood Lateral?

Schneider: For many years at rush hour Norwood Avenue has been backed up. Now is the time to address that. About 75 percent of that funding is lined up.

Williams: I've got my concerns (about extending Norwood Avenue to Section Avenue), but I'm certainly not a traffic engineer. That's a major decision. I just don't want to jump the gun before I meet with our traffic engineer.

Q: What do you offer that your opponent doesn't?

Williams: I think there's very few people who know this city better than I do. I know how it operates; I know what its pitfalls are.

Schneider: My experience is much more diverse in management areas. I have a background in managing businesses in the private sector that I think gives me the upper hand.