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Show Gomp News File Eox 6310 Lincoln, Neb. 60506 Bam tmmmwmtiy Progress Srep Results of the first part of a community progress survey conducted in August by the Chamber of Commerce Community Development Board reveal a number of areas of concern felt by local residents. This part of the survey asked questions regarding the following: planning and development activities, human relations and cultural enrichment conditions, economic development activities, physical physic-al environmental conditions, community services, expenditure of taxes, coooera-tion coooera-tion between other towns and counties, most needed projects, and most influential persons and organizations. The survey results report how those surveyed feel on the issues raised, ranging from excellent to good, fair, poor, and don't know. Percentage wise, answers to questions in the planning and development section indicated citizens have no strong feelings about this subject. Questions in this area related to effectiveness of local government in meeting community problems, quality of local leadership, appearance of the city, and zoning regulations and enforcement. Most persons surveyed responded that these subject areas are good to fair, however between 13 and 27 per cent responded they are poor, and some answered in the don't know category. There were 14 questions posed in the area of human relations and cultural enrichment conditions. Most favorable comment went to the question on availability of local and regional parks, with 95 per cent responding they are excellent to good. Adult education opportunities were viewed as excellent to good by 90 per cent of those surveyed, and library services received this rating from 89 per cent. A healthy majority responded with excellent to good, to questions in this area. ar-ea. The question on available cultural activities was the only one where more than 50 per cent viewed the situation as fair to poor. However, 44 per cent responded they felt cultural opportunities are excellent to good. ' Economic Development Replies were mixed on the 9 questions posed in the area of economic development activities. Community reception rec-eption and attractiveness to tourists, and advertising for summer activities and facilities were greatly approved of by 88 and 90 per cent, respectively, who said they are excellent to good. A notable 22 per cent responded they don't know on the question regarding local government promotion of more balanced industrial development. On the question, 57 per cent said the situation is fair to poor, 22 per cent said it is good, and none felt it is excellent. Adequate job opportunities for high school graduates and women were viewed as problem areas by 66 and 62 per cent, respectively, of those who responded. respond-ed. The degree to which local businessmen business-men serve the needs of residents was viewed as excellent to good by 58 per cent, and as fair to poor by 42 per cent. Of the other questions asked in this section, response was pretty evenly divided, with don't knows taking up the slack. Two of these questions regarded number of business opportunities and opportunities for earning a liveable income. An average of 53 per cent felt these are good to poor, while an average of 43 per cent felt they are excellent to good. A comparable average split of opinions came forth to the question regarding citizens' favorable attitude toward attracting new business and industry. Physical Environment Air quality and control of air pollution was viewed as excellent to good by 91 per cent of persons responding. Water quality and control of water pollution, and care of public buildings, grounds and parks were viewed as excellent to good by about 83 per cent of those responding. On the minus side, 91 per cent felt weedy vacant lots are a problem; 69 per cent felt local government working to increase community attractiveness could be improved; and 61 per cent felt the cleanliness of the community is a problem. Opinion was pretty evenly split on questions regarding the appearance of the business district and care of private residences. Community Services The 23 questions posed on community commun-ity services received very diverse answers as to their effectiveness. Public transportation transport-ation and availability of housing were viewed as fair to poor by about 90 per cent of those responding. Airport facilities were viewed as fair to poor by 79 per cent; and availability of trade and craftsman services such as carpenters, plumbers, mechanics, etc., was viewed as fair to poor by 71 per cent. About 63 per cent felt the following services are fair to poor: quality housing, public housing development, shopping facilities, effectiveness of law enforcement enforce-ment personnel, water system maintenance mainten-ance and postal services. About three-fourths of those responding respon-ding felt the following services are excellent to good: medical, dental and U public health services, banking services, fire protection, garbage collection and disposal, sewer system maintenance, streets and highways, and parking facilities. Tax Distribution Survey respondants were asked whether they would be willing to pay higher taxes for each of 14 different services in order to improve them. Water systems and upgrading criminal justice ' and law enforcement both received yes answers by about 70 per cent of the people. Sixty-three per cent said they would pay higher taxes for better education. The only other area where those surveyed were willing to pay more taxes was improvement of sanitary systems, and even here 56 per cent said they would and 44 per cent said they would not. Respondants were most adamant against paying taxes to finance low-income low-income housing, with 81 per cent saying they would not. Next most resounding no was against increasing taxes to increase salaries of local public officials, where 70 per cent said no. Cooperative Efforts According to. the survey results, Moab people are generally in favor of cooperating with other towns and counties to provide many services. There were 18 areas proposed where cooperation cooperat-ion could be developed. Respondants were asked whether they should, by answering among the following responses: respons-es: agree strongly, agree, neutral, disagree, disagree strongly, don't know. Eighty-eight per cent felt greater cooperation should be developed in law enforcement; 81 per cent felt it should be developed in street maintenance. Most diverse opinion was received on the questions of public schools and garbage collection and disposal. On the public schools question, 45 per cent were in favor of more cooperation, 18 per cent were against, 29 per cent were neutral, and 9 per cent didn't know. Regarding garbage collection and disposal, 65 per cent were for, 26 per cent were against, 6 per cent were neutral and 3 per cent didn't know. Other areas w here those responding were generally in favor of cooperation included: water and sewer system maintenance, public housing development, develop-ment, fire protection, recreational facilities, facilit-ies, industrial development, airport facilities, medical care facilities, libraries, librar-ies, code enforcement, regional planning commission, purchasing supplies, and zoning regulations and enforcement. v On the question regarding cooperation cooperat-ion in dental care facilities 48 per cent responded in favor, however, 36 per cent took a neutral position. Most Needed Projects Viewed as the most beneficial projects for the community in the next few years, in order of importance, were: water and sewer development, multipurpose multi-purpose community center. Mill Creek Dam, upgrade dump and open burning, indoor swimming pool, and housing program. |