OCR Text |
Show community comments... The older and younger segments of Moab's population are somewhat at odds in their opinions of the other's situation, it appears. More of the older folks think the babysitting is adequate here; and more of the younger folks think programs and assistance for the aged need Improvement. The older population tends to be more satisfied with the local shopping facilities; and the younger population thinks there should be more facilities for youth. These conclusions were drawn from figures published by Utah State University following a study of eight rural communities in Utah last year to determine the quality of life, the strengths and the weaknesses in each. There were 154 households sampled in Moab when the survey was conducted, and results have been published regarding 41 questions posed. Housing for new families was clearly the area viewed as needing most improvement here, even in view of the fact that over 100 new homes were built last year. On the question regarding shopping facilities, 74 per cent of persons under 45 years of age felt improvement is needed. Of those questioned 45 years or over, 51 per cent felt shopping facilities are not adequate, while 21 per cent felt these facilities are a strength in the community. Facilities for youth need improvement, said 66 per cent of those under 45. Of the older group 54 per cent felt these facilities need improvement, while 32 per cent felt they are adequate. Child day-care and babysitting facilities were viewed as adequate by 53 per cent of those over 45, while 55 per cent of the younger group felt they need improvement. vJCitizen participation in community decisions we viewed as ... a problem area by 50 per cent of the people under 45, and 40 per cent of people 45 or over. However, 27 per cent of the older group feels this is a strength in the community, while only 13 per cent of the younger group agreed. On the question regarding programs and assistance for aged, 22 per cent of the older group felt this is a strength in the community, while only 9 per cent of the younger group agreed. This area was viewed as needing improvement by 49 per cent of the younger group and 42 per cent of the older group. Ranked in order of importance, both groups agreed the following are the 8 most important problems in the community: housing for new families, law enforcement, shopping facilities, facilities for youth, postal service, schools and educational training, citizen participation in community decisions and programs and assistance for aged. Both groups agreed that these 8 areas are the most outstanding strengths of the community: access to outdoors and wide-open spaces, quality of public libraries, appearance of cemeteries, garbage and sewage disposal, lack of pollution, geographical setting, fire protection, and quality of religious life. In a breakdown on the question regarding religious life, 67 per cent of Catholics interviewed felt their religious is a strength. This answer was also given by 54 per cent of LDS, 49 per cent of Protestants and 47 per cent of those with other or no religion. However, 15 per cent of Protestants said their religious life needs improvement, while only 7 per cent of LDS, 6 per cent of Catholic, and 8 per cent with other or no religion felt this way. What's it all worth? Who knows. We don't know if any drastic changes will take place as a result of the survey, but it makes interesting reading, at any rate. |