Powerful perceptions

May 8th, 2008 at 10:07am Geri Nikolai

A study released this week by sociology staff and students at Rock Valley College reveals interesting perceptions of our hometown. RVC says the phone survey of 450 people reflects the population. Keep in mind is that the survey was done in February 2007, before the economy sunk and gas prices reached for the sky.

Some results: 54% think crime here is no worse than other cities this size. That’s down from 69% in ‘97.

63% said the city’s economy was progressing, down from 72%.

Here’s a surprise: 39% said education in the city is better than it’s been in the past few years. That’s still low, as Prof. Jerry Crane pointed out, but it’s up from 21% in ‘97, perhaps because the deseg suit still was going on then.

And, the ones I’m most interested in for this 180 Degrees project:

73% said the city has improved its arts and leisure offereings, down from 81%.

47% said public/private agencies support arts adequately; down from 73%.

58% said our arts/leisure programs are as good as other cities out size, down from 68%.

Crane said some of the survey results are supported by facts; others are not. But the perception, right or wrong, is a powerful influence on a community.

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