The Who, Where, and How of Resident Survey
In response to readers’ questions, a description of the survey cited in the previous story is provided below:
The survey was conducted jointly by the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE), UNITE HERE Local 2850, and Residents United for a Livable Emeryville (RULE). The survey was conducted over a one-month period (in February 2009) by a team of volunteers who went door-to-door in every neighborhood in Emeryville. On average, five teams of 2 volunteers conducted the surveys on 12 separate occasions, questioning more than 400 residents across the city, including North Emeryville, the Triangle neighborhood, Watergate, The Terraces, Archstone Apartments, 1500 Park Street, and the Emeryville Artists’ Cooperative. Residents of Pacific Park Plaza (PPP) were not surveyed because volunteers were denied entrance. They were told that PPP does not allow soliciting. All the residents surveyed were chosen at random.
The 7-question survey asked residents their opinions about development in town, requesting that they prioritize their top three concerns or demands (see survey results – link in previous story – for more details). Survey questions were based on feedback received during a series of focus groups. Among the focus group participants were Emeryville teachers, former city council members, religious leaders, school board members, youth, small business owners, and residents. A professional, outside facilitator was hired to conduct all of the focus groups.
Pacific Park Plaza (the 30 story condo tower on Christie) is always closed to soliciting, that is unless the soliciters are approved by ex-Planning Commissioner Kris Owens and her freinds Nora Davis and Dick Kassis. Each election the council majority is welcomed into PPP while any contender is a shut-out. What do you think someone a bit more progressive that happened to live there would think of this cozy relationship?
I’m just kind of wondering…how could a survey effort this big happen and nobody heard about it? I’ve talked to many people around town and nothing. We are going to see names or the credibility is in question. Who exactly took the survey?
It’s all explained on the blog – who conducted the survey, what neighborhoods were canvassed, etc. We’re happy to supply the names of the people who conducted the survey, if that’s what you’re looking for. It is interesting, though, that you are requesting names while you remain “anonymous.” What’s your name?
Here it comes, as predictable as the day following the night: Certain backers of the status quo don’t like the results of the survey so the unsurprising but crude stratagy becomes….attack the credibility of the survey!
As someone quipped, “It’s just not believable that Emeryville residents would be anything but overjoyed with the way the town gets developed. Therefore, this survey must be a fraud.
How would you like to live in this guy’s world, whoever he is?
PPP is a fake place where the favored get royal treatment and everybody else can sit on 20-year old beach chairs.