Please answer the questions below then fax completed questionnaire to c/o Kathy Shields at 207-4288. You may also email responses to kathleen.shields@sanantonio.gov . Please submit your responses by April 25th, 2007.
Name:_RHETT _SMITH_____________
What is your position on providing the necessary infrastructure to promote active lifestyles such as sidewalks, parks, bike, and hike lanes and trails? How should it be funded?
total support. my opponent should have fought to put such funds in this bond issue ,
Do you think the city should take a proactive role in increasing the number of individuals covered by health insurance by such means as:
c Requiring that city contractors provide health insurance to their workers. Why or why not?
yes, this is an excellent mechanism to improve the number of individuals covered
c Providing tax abatements and other economic incentives only to companies that provide health benefits for their employees. Why or why not?
no, because it might overly favor "already healthy"companies while at the same time using our city's limited resources which could be better used to help fund citizen's health needs directly
Encouraging the city to use its influence to increase state funding for CHIP & Medicaid. Why or why not?
yes , these are vital programs that increase the number of people covered while at same time lessening the burden on local taxpayers
3a. What should the city�s role be in addressing environmental health issues such as:
c Toxic waste
the city needs an office of toxicology to address and monitor
cAir quality
coordinate with state and Federal
cOther concerns
3b. Considering the experience with the compost fire near Helotes, and other water contamination
hazards, what policy changes or action should the City take to ensure future protection of the
aquifer?
the long term answer for our future is education, education, education. . . . the complexity of the "let it burn " policies and regional aquifer contamination hazards as well as water rights and conservation necessitate much more public awareness about the interdependence that Texans must acknowledge in order to provide for and protect America's future ecosystem. San Antonians must work more closely with the State and the Federal government to fund and implement a comprehensive ecosystem campaign .
4. What policies or actions should the city take to address the pervasive problems of mental illness to
prevent related problems of substance abuse, incarceration, homelessness, and suicide?
mental illness and all these related problems have grown markedly worse during the Mayor Hardberger and President Bush administrations; As your candidate for mayor, I will address these at the local and national level
5. What are the top 3 health issues that are important to you and your constituency and why?
environmental toxins and contamination; past (Kelly) and future (coal-fired power plants)
alcohol abuse diabetes
Please fax completed questionnaire to c/o Kathy Shields at 207-4288.
Please submit your responses by April 25th, 2007.
