Have you checked your mail? You may be one of Asheville’s residents picked to participate in a Citizen Survey, and your input is important!
A Citizen Survey mailed to some 1,200 Asheville households in March will help illustrate the public’s take on living and working in Asheville and gauge community satisfaction with services and its communication with city government.
The National Citizen Survey™ conducted by National Research Center, Inc. is a scientific study focusing on community livability and includes questions about the quality of life in the community, local policies, demographics, rating of local government services and residents’ use of services. The distribution and sample size are designed to provide a representative cross-section of the city’s population and produce an accurate read on the pulse of Asheville.
“As representatives of the City of Asheville community, City Council members care deeply about the thoughts and opinions of the public,” said Mayor Esther Manheimer. “We sincerely hope everyone who receives this survey looks at it as an opportunity to be heard and to be involved in their city government.”
Civic participation is a crucial part of effective governing, and this is one way survey recipients can make sure their voices are heard. It also offers a useful way for the city to hear from residents who may be too busy to actively participate in community forums, Council meetings, public meetings and other input opportunities.
The Citizen Survey is aligned with Asheville City Council’s goal to encourage engagement and conversation between the public and city government. City Council will use information gleaned from the survey in evolving priorities for its Strategic Operating Plan.
The results are expected to be presented in a final report to Council in May, and will be posted online at www.ashevillenc.gov.
A previous Citizen Survey was conducted in 2008, and the results can be found on the City of Asheville Open Government page.