Tuckahoe Survey Results

     In October 2007, I mailed a survey to approximately 14,000 Tuckahoe households with registered voters. The following are the preliminary results of that survey. In a few weeks, I should have the complete results (including a list of respondents’ hand-written comments) for you to read.

     Many thanks to all who returned the survey! Your comments are great! I wanted to know what you think, and I found out.

     If you are a Henrico resident, you may wish to let me know your thoughts about these issues. Send e-mail to pob@patobannon.com , with your ideas. (Also, please include your street address, so I will know whether or not you are a Tuckahoe resident.)

                                  Pat O’Bannon

Number of surveys mailed:  14,000 (approximately)

Number of surveys returned:

            Anonymous –                           139

            E-mailed --                                   8

            Partly/totally unreadable           13

                    (damaged, ink smeared)

(NOTE: Comments shown are mine.)

Question #1: Do you support or oppose Henrico joining with other localities to support a regional jail facility to hold illegal immigrants charged with crimes?

Responses:

Anonymous responders (only)    62% Support    38% Oppose

Completed/named responders    68% Support    32% Oppose

            NOTE: This question was used to “open the door” for constituent comments about illegal immigration, since this is a topic currently being discussed at both the state and federal levels. There were many, many hand-written comments about this issue. The “regional jail” concept is being reviewed by Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell. I will forward the response to him.

Question #2: For the first time in County history, 15-story buildings are permitted for construction. Do you support or oppose having the County impose height restrictions on building construction for future projects?

Responses:

Anonymous responders (only)   82% Support    18% Oppose

Completed/named responders   74% Support    26% Oppose

            NOTE:  This shows a strong desire to keep Henrico “low”. Many folks said, “Developers should build only as high as a fire ladder can reach.” I will certainly keep this in mind, especially as this type of construction comes to the Tuckahoe District. This question elicited many comments.

Question #3: Do you support or oppose Henrico building new schools and facilities to “green” environmental standards even though these standards will cost taxpayers 4% to 6% more money in up-front construction costs?

Responses:

Anonymous responders (only)   64% Support    36% Oppose

Completed/named responders   65% Support    35% Oppose

            NOTE: Many people said, “If paying a little more in up-front will save the taxpayers money in the long run, do it!” Several folks chastised me for writing the question “negatively”. I wrote it this way on purpose, to find out what is important to you. As a result of the dramatic positive response, this statistic showed me you are very aware of the “green” movement, you know it saves money in the long run, and you support “green” construction -- if it is done “conservatively”.

Question #4: Currently, Henrico provides free pre-school to all at-risk four-year-olds. Would you support or oppose expanding free pre-school to all four-year-olds in Henrico, as Governor Kaine has proposed, even though it would require a tax increase and more school construction?

Responses:

Anonymous responders (only)   25% Support    75% Oppose

Completed/named responders   26% Support    74% Oppose

            NOTE: This question elicited the most responses, and the most negative responses. Several people answered only one question – this one! And, as you can see, the vast majority of the respondents said, “NO!” to an expanded pre-school program for four-year-olds. The additional comments about this program were generally negative, with a few folks who sent me pages of information (both those who were “for” and those “against”.)

Question #5: Henrico County was established in September 1611 by the Virginia Company. Do you support or oppose Henrico County using taxpayer money to celebrate its 400^th Anniversary in 2011 with a major, planned celebration?

Responses:

Anonymous responders (only)   40% Support    60% Oppose

Completed/named responders   47% Support    53% Oppose

            NOTE: Many folks did not answer this question. Rather than answer this one, many folks instead asked questions. Several asked, “What amount are you thinking about?” and “What makes a ‘major, planned celebration’?” Others said, “I want to have a big celebration, but let the businesses and residents make donations and pay for it.” Several responded somewhat like this, “If you can get Prince Harry to come, pay the money! If it is just means some extra fireworks, No!” Everyone liked the idea, but most want to keep it “small and not too expensive.”

     The sixth question was open-ended. I will have a follow-up report about these comments. They are intriguing.

     Thank you to everyone who answered the survey! I wanted to know what you consider important, and you let me know.