Monday, October 30, 2006
Humboldt Business Council poll on the Marina Center
Eureka, CA (10/30/06) --- The Humboldt Business Council (HBC), today (Oct. 30) released the entire results from a new poll of
“There are so many different opinions about the Marina Center project that we felt it was important to get a neutral reading of the attitudes of the Eureka community”, said Chris Crawford, the Humboldt Business Council chair.
The poll found that 75% of
When arguments are presented supporting and opposing the project, almost 2 of every 3 residents support the proposed Center.
“We presented neutral language about the plan to get an objective understanding of public attitudes. This was followed by a question that gave the strongest views from both sides”, said Crawford. “Our goal was to get unbiased results that would not be affected by the political views of the poll sponsor”.
The survey was conducted by national research firm, Fairbanks, Maslin, Maullin and Associates from October 26 –28, 2006. FMM&A is recognized as one of the top survey firms in
“We hope this survey is used by our city leaders to chart a positive course for this project”, Crawford concluded.
The decision to commission the poll came after a unanimous vote by the HBC membership.
# # #
EUREKA ISSUES SURVEY
220-2232
MARGIN OF ERROR 5.7%
Time Began_____________
Time Ended_____________
Minutes________________
Hello, I'm ___________ from FMMA, a public opinion research company. I am definitely NOT trying to sell you anything. We are conducting a survey about issues that interest people living in
1. First, does anyone in this household work for a radio station, a television station, a newspaper, an advertising agency, for an elected official, or as a paid political campaign worker?
No---------------------------------------------- 100%
Yes---------------------------------- TERMINATE
DK/NA------------------------------ TERMINATE
2. Next, in November there will be an election for U.S. Senate, Governor and other state and local offices and ballot measures. How likely are you to actually vote in this election? Will you definitely vote, probably vote, are the chances 50-50 that you will vote, will you probably not vote, or will you definitely not vote?
Definitely vote--------------------------------- 95%
Probably vote----------------------------------- 3%
50-50--------------------------------------------- 2%
Probably not vote----------------- TERMINATE
Definitely not vote---------------- TERMINATE
(
3. Have you seen or heard anything recently about the
Yes, a great deal--------------------------- --57%
Yes, something----------------------------- --18%
Yes, very little ------------------------------ --11%
No, haven’t heard anything--------------- --13%
(
4. The
Support----------------------------------------- 64%
Oppose----------------------------------------- 23%
(
(
5. Let me give you some more information about The Marina Center Project. It would include a new home for the children’s discovery museum, provide walking and biking trails, generate sales and property taxes by more than a million and a half dollars annually for city services, would clean up Clark Slough (SLEW) and create an eleven-acre wetlands preserve. Knowing this would you support or oppose the Marina Center Project?
Support----------------------------------------- 70%
Oppose----------------------------------------- 19%
(
(
6. Now I am going to read you a pair of statements that have been made about the Marina Center Project. Please tell me which statement is closer to your opinion. Please choose just one even if it is hard to decide. (ROTATE)
[ ] The Marina Center project is a good idea because it would include environmental clean up that meets and exceeds all state standards, creates an eleven acre wetland preserve, provides a thousand quality jobs, builds affordable housing and retail stores, and generates additional revenue for public services including public safety.--------------------------------------------- 59%
OR
[ ] The Marina Center project is a bad idea because it inadequately cleans up the environment, would put a big box store on the last piece of Eureka’s waterfront property, hurts area businesses and will not benefit local residents, creates more traffic, and has circumvented the public process to decide the best use of the land.--------------------------------------------------------------------- 22%
(
(BOTH)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2%
(NEITHER)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4%
(MAKES NO DIFFERENCE)------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2%
(
As to the HBC, they are running ads for their slate of candidates, that is, Arkely's slate of candidates, and no they do not need to file any paperwork because they are above the law, so don't go looking for any pesky disclosure forms with the county or the city.
: Mon Oct 30, 03:05:00 PM 5. Let me give you some more information about The Marina Center Project. It would include a new home for the children’s discovery museum, provide walking and biking trails, generate sales and property taxes by more than a million and a half dollars annually for city services, would clean up Clark Slough (SLEW) and create an eleven-acre wetlands preserve. Knowing this would you support or oppose the Marina Center Project?
---Gee, what's missing from this description?
Could it be the 145,000 sq ft Home Depot that when you include the required parking lot, will take up over half of the total footprint?!!?
(yes, we know, the home depot minus the 35,000 sq ft garden center is technically only 25% of the total space, too bad we can't just make that parking lot disappear).
: Mon Oct 30, 03:11:00 PM Well, that's 95% of those who were counted. Those who were less likely to vote were eliminated from the pool.
At least that's how I read it.
And 95% said they will "definitely" vote. Some of those people are telling fibs, good intentions or not. Statistically, maybe it doesn't matter to the survey.
Probably vote----------------------------------- 3%
50-50--------------------------------------------- 2%
Probably not vote----------------- TERMINATE
Definitely not vote---------------- TERMINATE
(DON'T KNOW/NA)------------- TERMINATE
See, the definitely's, probably's, and 50-50s total 100 percent. The poll was terminated at that point for all the others. So 95% is simply a percentage of those who were asked more questions, ie. those with a 50% or greater chance of voting.
"Fair and honest Crawford style question:"
Well, without taking sides here, unless polls are coming from an entity that is absolutely unbiased, then of course their polls are going to be leading. What about the CREG poll? Have they released the full poll, with answers and questions? I know Jeff Leonard challenged them to do so, but I'm not sure I've seen the results. I would like to see them and line them up next to this one.
: Mon Oct 30, 04:33:00 PM INteresting that Leonard didn't ask for the Arkley's poll questions and results to be released.
: Mon Oct 30, 04:45:00 PM : Mon Oct 30, 04:46:00 PM That link is to Leonard challenging the poll. I just wish there was somewhere where I could see the whole poll and its results.
: Mon Oct 30, 05:08:00 PM Does that mean the poll is still going on? But they've already published results...
: Mon Oct 30, 07:46:00 PM : Mon Oct 30, 07:47:00 PM : Mon Oct 30, 07:49:00 PM Not even close. CREG refused to release their questions.
Who is financially behind CREG?
And why did CREG organize as a 501(c)?
CREG does not serve any charitable purpose outside of stopping Home Depot and the Arkley’s proposed Marina Center.
501(c) groups do not have to disclose donors or itemize spending.
One of the many reasons that Measure T was such a joke.
: Mon Oct 30, 09:21:00 PM : Mon Oct 30, 09:34:00 PM http://www.fmma.com/
All of FMM&A's research is custom-designed to fit each client's individual circumstances and needs.
(like only polling Republicans who voted 4 out of the last 4 elections)
: Mon Oct 30, 10:19:00 PM But I could be wrong, and maybe the conservative slate will win by significant majorities next week. I just feel like I've been down this road before.
: Tue Oct 31, 06:21:00 AM As for CREG, it is a committee of the same (very local) non-profit organization that helped with the 1999 Wal-Mart fight. CREG has intentionally taken an educational approach to what, admittedly, has become a political issue. More than 1200 people have signed the CREG petition. The website is http://www.SaveEurekaWaterfront.org.
Regardless of who wins any of the local races, the EIR for this project is about due to be made public. With all the comments and input made during the city's "scoping" process, it will be interesting to see which specific issues will be addressed. How the issues are handled will be partly (at least) up to whoever wins the city council races and 4th district supervisor race (aka the local Coastal Commission seat) next week.
My impression of city staff, specifically Planner Sidnie Olsen, has been good. Keep your eyes out for the next public information -- probably after the election.
Land Use Planning is having it's day in Humboldt County. I hope CREG continues the educational approach. Knowledge, they say, is power.
This election is not just about the Balloon Track. The national revulsion at Bush could help the Neely/LaVallee/Glass/Kuhnel/Abrams campaigns. And though it hasn't been talked about, the recent police shooting, the second in six months, could help the more liberal candidates. When Cheri Lynn Moore was killed by EPD it pretty much re-elected Paul Gallegos. There could be a similar effect.
A lot of people care about Eureka, Some do it for love--some for money.
Myself and my wife are lifelong dems. We support the project. I am so tired of this that as a point of principal I am voting for everything that is NOT supported by you, your slate, DU and the HCDCC. Maybe a good trouncing will make you elitist so called fellow dems listen to the great group of dems in this county instead of trying to shove your idea of the party down our throats.
: Tue Oct 31, 08:17:00 AM I wonder why they didn't ask if anyone in the household is a blogger?
"How so neocon-like to attack your alleged opponent (CREG) as you are begin scrutinized (HBC). As I wrote before, next Tuesday will be the real poll."
Well Carol Ann, I agree that the real poll will be next tuesday, but, wow, how NeoEcoLib of you to attack someone (not me) who asks questions of CREG...oh, is also an attack to ask them to release the full results of THEIR poll? Shameful and pathetic.
: Tue Oct 31, 09:03:00 AM -----------------------
And to you, we say "Show Up". Carol and I have supported almost every Democratic function around here for the last three years, and these comments usually come from people who (guess what?) we have never seen at any meetings or events. The anonymity of the internet. Gotta love it. Anyway, you aren't going to bully me and Carol into going anywhere, anonymous or not.
Taking swipes at you on Halloween is just the day of the week that you decided to blog. If you don't like it, don't blog today.
: Tue Oct 31, 10:06:00 AM I would have cheerfully and strongly supported Wesly. Can't do it with the lunatic Angelides...so where does that leave us moderate dems....you got it, now we have Arnold for 4 more years because you jerks won't run anyone reasonable and moderate. Go congratulate yourselves.
: Tue Oct 31, 10:11:00 AM Whew. Now Dubya is our fault? And the War for Oil? That, too? My, you HAVE been reading your Republican talking points. For more of my closed-mindedness, feel free to read:
http://greglist.blogspot.com/
PS - You might be right about Westly v. Angelides, who knows?
PPS - Please be kind to Carol.
Still havent answered my query as to why it is somehow an attack to ask CREG for full disclosure of their poll.
: Tue Oct 31, 10:27:00 AM Don't know anymore than you regarding the CREG poll, but that is way old news.
Still waiting dear.
: Tue Oct 31, 11:52:00 AM No wonder you seem so out there....You Are Out There!
: Tue Oct 31, 01:31:00 PM : Tue Oct 31, 03:13:00 PM Still waiting for you to regale us with the COMPLETE CREG poll questions and results, Carol Ann, Dear...and no, its not "old news" it hasnt yet been shared with the public, now has it???
: Tue Oct 31, 08:57:00 PM Now, if you are going to insult my wife, please allow me to have your name. Thank you.
You may now go ahead and demonize/ostracize/marinalize. Scare us. Good grief.
They did not release the more nuetral results...
: Wed Nov 01, 12:09:00 PM So you are saying if your candidates do not win tuesday then thats it for you? suurrre, and i've got a bridge to sell you if you think I believe that.
I havent seen anyone here calling your wife names, she of the "neocon" name calling insults...All you do are deflecting, by trying to point out perceived slights, when in fact you admit that yes, I am correct. Wasnt it you who brought the humboldt business council poll scorn, calling it a "push poll"?
At least we got to see it, and are you going to say that the CREG poll wasnt?
I truly have no problems with those having differing opionions, but consistency is something we should all strive for, and you and your wife are sadly lacking in that department.
: Wed Nov 01, 12:48:00 PM Don't put words into my mouth. I didn't say any of it would be "it" for me.
The weak, last-minute attempts to smear CREG aren't playing with the public. CREG is the real thing - all 1200 of us. The only people who don't "get it" about the Balloon Tract issue seem to be people put their own pocketbooks first, period. Yes, there are a lot of them. I have seen Eureka go nuts over a new chain buffet, and I'm sure many people want a Home Depot, no matter where they want to locate. It's a values campaign.
It's okay to disagree with me. I have my own selfish perspectives. Some of us are stubborn about participatory democracy. See you November 8.
: Wed Nov 01, 01:57:00 PM No, being consistent does not mean "staying the course" ala Karl Rove, it means wanting to see the results of both the CREG poll and the HBC poll, without demeaning/discounting the HBC poll as a push poll, while the CREG poll was obviously the same.
Consistency is acknoweldging the foibles of both sides, even when its the side you support.
I've been here a long time Greg, and I too have seen the cars lined up on the side of the cemetery as they waited for four hours in line to by a garden hose at the grand opening of Kmart.
You frame this as a "Values" issue, I think it's more of a "Choice" issue. By assigning this as a values issue, you try and take the moral highground, but its really about choice.
: Wed Nov 01, 02:05:00 PM Early someone said it was a multi-issue poll - they polled the city council races, etc. Then they used that info to recruit anti-arkley candidates. If they act like a PAK - shouldn't they report like a PAK?
: Wed Nov 01, 04:07:00 PM Hey, I didn't say "pure", but thanks for mentioning "democratic republic". One school of right-wing thought is that we are a republic and NOT a democracy. Glad to see you remember the "democratic" part. But de Toqueville? Please continue.
"I confess that in America I saw more than America; I sought the image of democracy itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices, and its passions, in order to learn what we have to fear or hope from its progress."
~ Alexis de Tocqueville
Why not share those questions and responses?
: Thu Nov 02, 07:34:00 AM : Thu Nov 02, 09:28:00 AM Like they claim their poll supported their stand, but they won't release most of it?
: Mon Nov 06, 08:17:00 AM I want to be consistent, though when it comes to see the donors and who they are donating to. I'd like to see HBC AND CREG release the information...
: Mon Nov 06, 08:59:00 AM Links to this post:
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