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Ashlanders like how city is run, survey shows By PETER WONG ASHLAND -- Despite a few signs of dissatisfaction, a Eugene consultant says most residents appear to be content with the direction of their community and city government. In an era of public disenchantment with government, Tammy Scudder says, Ashland has done a better job than most to meet people's expectations. "I think people are pleased how city government is handling things," she said after she presented survey results to the City Council last week. "I was pleased to see that the courteousness of the staff, and the quality of their work, were rated so highly." Scudder's researchers interviewed 400 people by telephone between Nov. 11 and 21. She said that unlike many such surveys, they encountered few refusals to respond to the questions. "It seems Ashlanders have more of an emotional attachment to their city, judging by the number of people who say they go to council meetings and watch them on cable access television," she said. Of the sample, nearly three-quarters said life has stayed the same or improved in the city in the past few years. "I think it's an excellent report that points out a lot of positive things," said Councilman Don Laws, who's been on the council almost continuously since 1974. But not all the indicators were positive. Scudder said newer residents of up to two years, those between 25 and 34 and renters were more likely to say things are going well. Residents of 21 years or more, those aged 55 to 64, and homeowners were more likely to say things are on the wrong track. Growth-related issues remain key concerns. More than half the sample (57 percent) said growth and development are happening "too fast," and 34 percent said "just about right." Longtime residents were most likely to be negative. As the biggest problems in the next few years, people listed "pacing growth," water supply and quality, and traffic congestion. "I did not see a lot of surprises in the results," Mayor Cathy Shaw said. "My sense is that people are pretty happy." Scudder said though the public appears satisfied with city services, employees and the council, a potential soft spot was how people rated the city's effectiveness in spending money. About a third rated the city good or excellent, another third was neutral, 21 percent rated the city as poor or somewhat poor, and the rest did not know. The city-commissioned survey should not be confused with a similar-sounding survey being conducted by the Oregon Cable Telecommunications Association, which opposes the city's plan to compete with Los Angeles-based Falcon Cable through its fiber-optic network. The city's survey asked only a couple of questions about the network, which the council has voted twice to proceed with; it will consider financing next month. Almost 75 percent of those sampled knew about the network, and more than half correctly named cable TV, cable modem and high-speed data transfer as services it will offer to subscribers. The council plans to use the results to help it shape the future directions for city government in a strategic plan starting next year. Quality of life ranks high in phone survey Highlights of a telephone survey of 400 Ashland residents conducted Nov. 11-21: Quality of life: 50 percent said it has stayed the same in recent years; 23 percent, improved; 22 percent, worsened. Thirty-four percent liked Ashland's small-town atmosphere; 22 percent, natural beauty of surroundings; 19 percent, quality of people. City direction and services: 58 percent said the city is going in the right direction; 30 percent, wrong track. Forty-one percent said there is some or a lot of trust in city government, 31 percent were neutral, and 24 percent said hardly any or none. Of specific services, the sample ranked fire protection the highest at 3.66 and street maintenance the lowest at 3.46 on a scale of 1 to 5. Of the quality of work by city employees, 24 percent said it was excellent, 50 percent good, 15 percent neutral, 5 percent poor or somewhat poor. Of their courteousness, 54 percent said excellent, 32 percent good, 8 percent neutral, 6 percent poor or somewhat poor. Public participation: 24 percent have attended a City Council meeting; 63 percent have seen one on cable-access television; 35 percent are willing to take part in government through council meetings or committees. Electricity: 66 percent said the city should offer "green power" from renewable sources; 68 percent favor city development of solar power; 44 percent are willing to pay more for "green power." Bus service and downtown parking: 79 percent do not ride buses, and 8 percent do occasionally. Thirty-seven percent rated downtown parking as difficult, and 23 percent as very difficult. -- Source: Scudder and Associates, Eugene. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA