Ever take some silly polls online, or vote for your favorite American Idol? Here's one that is specific to your own backyard and is fast, easy and fun!
Here's a "citizen satisfaction" survey for Christiansburg, again courtesy of our Library of Christiansburg Depot Dazed.
Remember, we blogged about whether or not the town would use it's new web site to both communicate and collect feedback (the web site is set to be unveiled in just two more days). Apparently, someone else either beat them to it, or is doing the town's job for them.
Based on a survey the town conducted back in 1998 (as part of keeping the Comprehensive Plan updated), it will be interesting to see comparisons of then and now. Since the survey was sent out way back when, Christiansburg has seen a 62% increase in housing or building permits and an almost 30% growth rate in population.
An analysis of the first survey's results can be read here, so you may want to take time to review the strategies and goals of the town's Comprehensive Plan. Think about whether you can see any links between the survey questions and plan objectives, or actions taken since the survey was sent out in 1998.
Business owners/operators licensed in the town, who may live outside the town's current boundaries, are also encouraged to complete the survey and respond as appropriate. If there are any questions anyone is not comfortable answering or are unsure on how to answer, skip them.
Be sure to pass the survey link along to your friends, neighbors, co-workers, casual acquaintances, fellow worshipers and so on. Unless you want to provide numerous comments, it takes less than 3 minutes to complete.
Dreamers might wonder if old and new results will be shared -- maybe posted on the town's new web site? Better yet, if cable customers in Christiansburg had a citizen's channel, they could read the results on television and see what plans this feedback has been added to. Yes, we're dreaming now. But that is the purpose of a Comprehensive Plan -- to envision where you want our town to be in 10, 15 or 20 years.