By Joel van der Veen
CRAIK — A response rate of around 10 per cent for a recent survey of Craik ratepayers did not deter Coun. David Ashdown.
Rather, Ashdown said, he was pleased by the quality of the responses and the effort taken by those who did participate.
“People obviously spent a lot of time thinking about this,” he told his fellow councillors during Tuesday’s regular meeting. “I think it’s given us some good information.”
The survey was sent out in late October to all households that received a water bill from the Town of Craik, and was also available online.
Ashdown compiled a summary of the results and presented it to council during its monthly meeting.
Recipients were asked to list the town’s greatest strengths and challenges, to name the top priorities for the next three years, and to specify how they would be willing to contribute, either in terms of a tax increase or a volunteer effort.
The deadline for the survey was Nov. 6. A total of 30 responses were received, most of them delivered to the town office; Ashdown noted in his report that this response rate is “not uncommon in this type of exercise.”
He noted that some were delivered to his door or mailed to his post office box. Some respondents needed to attach a second sheet to make room for all their comments.
Half of the respondents (15 of 30) identified the town’s location — situated on Highway 11, within an hour’s drive of three major centres — as a major strength.
Available facilities and services, including businesses, the school, health centre, RCMP detachment and pharmacy, came in second.
Other strengths identified included the park, golf course, Eco-Centre and library. Respondents also expressed appreciation for the town’s volunteers and people in general, the quiet and safe atmosphere, community organizations and the commitment to maintaining health services.
Unsurprisingly, 29 out of 30 respondents identified the town’s water crisis as its greatest challenge, followed by repairing and maintaining streets, named by 21 people.
Also frequently mentioned as challenges were: the need to make the community more attractive through demolishing derelict buildings and cleaning vacant lots (named by six); attracting new businesses (five); maintaining and growing the population (five); and retaining a doctor and getting emergency health services (four).
The water situation was also identified by 25 respondents as a top priority for the town, again followed by road repair.
As in all categories, the responses for priorities ranged from the general, like attracting new residents and supporting industry, to the narrowly specific — “getting big trucks out of town,” for instance, or “recouping money lost through theft or mismanagement.”
Ashdown noted that a small majority — 16 out of 30 — indicated a desire for tax rates to remain the same for the time being.
A small number of respondents voiced support, if necessary, for increases of 5 per cent (six), 10 per cent (five) or 15 per cent (three). No one indicated support for increases of 20 or 25 per cent.
Finally, when asked if they were willing to commit to volunteering time, effort or skill to addressing the town’s challenges, 14 out of 30 did not respond at all.
Four respondents said they were not prepared to volunteer, while 12 said they planned to volunteer or were already doing so. Space was also provided for specific comments.
Ashdown said the general tone of the responses was positive, but also noted a common desire for both accountability and a “coherent plan for future spending.”
He indicated the survey was “just a snapshot of where we were” and cautioned against putting too much stock into the responses.
Ashdown said the survey would be a useful tool in setting council’s priorities and the town budget for the coming year.
His colleagues expressed their appreciation for his efforts. The survey results will be available through the municipal office and on the town website.