Posted Oct 13, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Satisfaction surveys are meant to gauge how folks view the present, not the future. The use of citizen satisfaction survey data tells me that Christiansburg was more interested in maintaining the status quo than planning for the long term. Thank goodness I don't run my business the same way!
Yeah, what he/she said
Posted Oct 13, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Was the Comp Plan already in place in 2003, and used 1998 data? Or was 2003 the first year the town had one? Would be interesting to see the same questions responded to today, using the same electronic and paper mail process underway for the bus survey announced at last council meeting. Notable that survey responses in range with the number of people who vote....wonder what the population in '98 and '03 were, for comparison? How do other jurisdictions determine "what" community should look like in 5,10,20 years -- types of questions? Guess that's enough questions for an entirely different blog...
Actually, several blogs...working on 'em:) I could do a lot more and work a lot faster before I got sick...sorry.
Posted Oct 14, 2008 at 10:31 AM
What was done with the survey results? I cannot see anything that shows me this information has been applied to planning or service delivery adjustments in the 10 years since. Even a fool knows there is no reason to gather input if you're just putting it on a shelf. Or this was only done to meet a legal requirement without any intention of heeding the feedback?
I agree. A review of the minutes of the town council and planning commission meetings indicate this was acquired and put on a shelf. There were no committees (citizen, government, or combination of the two) set up to evaluate each area to determine how to improve things. It's like getting a roughly average score. Everyone/someone decided that was good enough. I personally think the survey needs to be redone. Then, citizen groups need to be established to look at each specific subtopic and make a report to the Town Council...but, that is just my way of thinking about things. There is so very much lost when when information like this is not used or made public so that people can form their own ideas. However, if it is used again, it needs to be redesigned. This is one of the most poorly designed surveys I have ever seen. The questions need to be phrased for consistency in design as to the answers. With the original survey, it would be way too easy for someone to respond in a negative manner when they meant it to be positive and vice versa. The rating scales should be as similar as possible. Giving examples of areas to be evaluated would be very helpful. There are multiple citizen satisfaction surveys from other jurisdictions available online that are easier to use, less likely to have skewed data, and cover more areas. Nice try Christiansburg, but I couldn't give you a grade score of more than C- for the survey, and F for handling the data, and an F for applying what the data yields. On a positive note....at least a survey was done. Many jurisdictions don't even do that. If they want to do something useful for a Comprehensive Plan, then put this survey to the curb and start over with an appropriate survey. Hmmm...wonder if there are any students at Tech who would like to take on a project like this for class?