OttawaHerald.com -- Community News. Community Connections.

	Franklin County, Kansas, USA

Subscriber Services Home Delivery Gift Subscription Stop-Start Delivery Missing Paper Back Issues Newsstand Locations Shopper Locations

Advertising Services Manage Your Account Place a Classified Ad Place a Display Ad Advertise Online Business Finder Directory

Other Services Submit News Laminated Items Photos & Keepsakes Article Archives Contact Us History of the Herald Our Policies

Suggest a poll topic

2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Monday, February 02, 2009 11:42 AM

Officials say survey results don’t jibe with other data

By JENALEA MYERS, Herald Staff Writer

There could be disagreement between Franklin County officials and some residents about some of the county’s services.

A draft of the county’s strategic plan reveals that the majority of about 100 people who returned written surveys about improvements they would like to see in the county rated such services as solid waste, recycling, ambulance and hospital facilities as poor or very poor.

“There was a difference in face-to-face (feedback) and survey results,” Tom Weigand, president of Ottawa/Franklin County Economic Development, recently told county commissioners, adding that law enforcement and fire protection services also were rated poor from surveyors.

Weigand said it was difficult to understand why such services as the ambulance were rated poorly when it had been recognized by the state for its high quality. However, the surveys were anonymous, which eliminated the possibility to ask respondents about their responses.

The written surveys sent to about 1,000 registered voters were just one method of gauging county residents’ thoughts. Two public forums in Ottawa and ones in Richmond, Pomona, Williamsburg, Rantoul, Wellsville and Princeton gave county residents chances to speak out.

Feedback from forums and the surveys were compiled to create the top issues for Franklin Countians. Those include:

• Water — Many residents think there should be consolidation of water districts to enable the convenient and ready distribution of water to all parts of the county.

• Economic development — Residents expressed a desire for improved jobs and the availability of work closer to home in the county. Rural community members would like to see development of jobs in their areas.

• Workforce development programs — Some people are concerned that school systems are educating or planning their curriculum for all students to attend four-year universities. More life skills and technical training is desired by some people.

• Police and fire protection — Rural community members expressed concerns that there was a lack of attention in emergency situations.

• Communication — Residents would like to know more about what is happening within the county and surrounding cities.

In addition to the surveys and forums, area student councils were able to weigh in on what they’d like to see improved. Weigand said youth were interested in more retail, recreation and entertainment options and were in support of having a community center.

County Administrator Lisa Johnson said the plan would be submitted to the state and returned to the county for adoption of a resolution. The final draft of a strategic plan then will be presented to the surrounding communities.

“I think it’s a good snapshot of the county,” Commission Chairman Ed Taylor said of the draft of the plan.

Jenalea Myers can be e-mailed at jmyers@ottawaherald.com.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

Officials say survey results don’t jibe with other data

By JENALEA MYERS, Herald Staff Writer

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.