FeedsA few answers to the satisfaction survey
Citizens’ Satisfaction Surveys have gone out to some residents in the City of Wayne as officials there try to grapple with an unprecedented budget deficit.
The polling company drew from the list of registered voters and then selected about 1,500 people at random. I’m a regular voter, but I’m going to guess that I’m not on that list and that’s OK, because I have a forum to voice my concerns (as does anyone else who wants to submit a letter to the editor or post a comment on a story).
I want to address some of those issues anyway because, based on what I’ve seen and heard around town, the budget cycle will again pit department against department as residents, employees and officials alike debate the definition of ‘essential services.’
That’s what everybody should focus on these days, right? The problem is most people disagree on what those essential services are.
For those who didn’t get it, the survey can also be found on the city website.
Here are a couple of questions (paraphrased) and some answers to them.
Rate the police and fire services in the city.
I give them high marks. I’ve had an opportunity to deal with the fire department on a professional level and the police department both on a professional and personal level. The fire department is among the best run and friendliest around. The police department, too. I personally think they were understaffed before the recent layoffs, but they did a good job of being visible, responding quickly and acting professionally.
Rate your parks and recreation facilities, and how often do you use them.
This is one of the reasons I moved to the city; there is a park within a block or three in any direction from my house and the community center is right up the street. I don’t visit them as often as I used to, but that’s because of how busy I am.
Rate your city on having leaders that are trustworthy, being well-managed, having employees who are well-trained, communicating effectively with residents, spending dollars wisely and being open to citizen ideas and involvement.
Well, that’s the big one, isn’t it? I think the leaders-by that I mean the city council-are trustworthy enough although they are not as proactive as they are in other communities.
I have mixed thoughts on the management that stems from the financial situation in the city. It’s all well and good to say we’re all in this together and take the same pay cuts, but the bottom line is that people at the top have more disposable income than people at the bottom.
I don’t think money is always spent wisely and this comes primarily from the Downtown Development Authority; there are some funds set aside from that every year but the great majority of that fund is used to support the general fund, instead.
The city is open to citizens’ involvement and ideas as long as they support the status quo. They get a little irritated if you get critical.
With that said would I, as another question poses, recommend the city to someone to live in?
Well, the sarcastic answer to that is: sure, come take my house; I’d rather be underwater on a mortgage in a community where the property values will bounce back before I die.
For a more reflective answer, I’ll say this: I used to be a cheerleader for Wayne, talking it up at events and meetings in other communities, with friends and family. For now, my pom pons are safely stowed away, although I hope I can bring them out again soon.
