This was in online edition today, 2-22-08, but i didn't want to lose it, so copied it here. -mark

Tempe residents pretty satisified, survey says

Dianna M. Náñez
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 21, 2008 04:30 PM

Tempe's new city manger says the results of a $23,000 community survey will help city leaders understand which services residents are happy with and areas where the city needs to focus more attention.

The survey is a helpful tool for prioritizing services during the budget process, Manager Charlie Meyer said.

"If we know, for example, that we have some parks that are really in need of updating and we're still getting good results on them, then it tells us that what we have going is working and we just need to keep it up," he said.

Tempeans from 1,031 households participated the survey, which tackled everything from public safety and parks to alley maintenance and plans for growth. ETC Institute conducted the survey and asked about 75 questions to a random sample of residents, polled by mail and phone.

ETC compared Tempe's ratings to those of at least 30 other mid-sized cities where similar surveys were conducted within the past three years. Comparison cities include the Arizona municipalities of Peoria and Yuma, as well as Provo, Utah, Sioux Falls, S.D. and Burbank, Calif.

Tempe rated above average in all areas assessed on the survey and ranked the highest compared to the other cities in water services and traffic enforcement. Residents reported an 88 percent satisfaction rate with water services and a 66 percent satisfaction rate with enforcement of traffic laws.

The city received some of its lowest marks for the condition of local alleys, planning for growth and maintenance of private property.

Shelley Hearn, a city spokeswoman, said the city was not surprised to see concerns about growth, considering the drastic changes and towering buildings under construction downtown.

"Any time you make changes like this people get scared," she said.

The survey also documented where responding residents lived. Hearn said the city found that those living near Arizona State University seemed to be the least satisfied with their community. She suggested the city could use its neighborhood services department to hone in on concerns in this region.

Here are some of the anonymous written comments submitted by Tempe residents who participated in the recent city satisfaction survey. They were asked, "What do you feel are the most important issues facing the City of Tempe?

• "I think the city's vertical growth downtown is attracting too much big business for Tempe. This is supposed to be a family town, not corporate America."
• "Shorter wait time for buses/more buses. Set a standard for solar usage."
• "ASU growth and traffic. Law enforcement of underage drinking at ASU."
• "More emphasis on making the whole city look good, not just downtown. Too much light pollution."
• "Aging neighborhoods are looking shabby, many rentals. This is a good place to live. What are the incentives for owner-occupied homes?"
• "I would love to go downtown. Problem is parking and we have to pay money to do it. That is what keeps my money out of the downtown area."
• "Increase of high cost housing will negatively impact Tempe schools' enrollment. Continuing high level of community services while needing to meet increased costs.
• "Construction annoyances to the possibility that the light rail will create more problems. Trash in alleyways-yuck."
• "Escalating safety issues, i.e., auto thefts, home burglaries. Public transportation."
• "The socioeconomic gaps and redistricting of school."
• "How to cope with the needs of older people. I am over 90. Need more police due to red light runners and jay walkers."
• "Revenue-if we are land-locked it is a challenge to find new land for taxes. Crime-everyone's issue. Having lived in Phoenix for 30 years, it has been a joy living here."                                                                                                                                                                                   
• • "Gang control. Shelters for homeless."