FREELAND — A recent e-mail survey sponsored by supporters of cityhood for Freeland shows a slim majority, roughly 56 percent, supports the incorporation effort.
The Freeland incorporation committee released the results of its survey last week. The survey was sent to 350 addresses, including members of the Friends of Freeland, the Freeland Chamber of Commerce, county officials and other interested residents living in and outside the proposed city boundaries.
Over the course of a week, 72 surveys were returned for a response rate of more than 20 percent.
Support for cityhood was stronger within the proposed boundaries; 67 percent of those who responded favored incorporation.
Those surveyed gave the county bad grades on its planning efforts, its protection of natural areas and the Holmes Harbor shoreline, and storm-water control.
Approximately 83 percent also said the county was not doing a good job of planning, 72 percent said current land-use regulations are not good enough for managing growth, and 70 percent said the county is not doing a good job of enforcing existing regulations.
However, more than half of those polled were satisfied with most services the county is currently providing, especially traffic control and law enforcement.
Even more — 68 percent of respondents — were happy with the county’s maintenance and repair of Freeland streets.
The survey also showed strong support for a sewer system; approximately 70 percent said sewers were needed in Freeland.
Respondents to the survey said services outside the scope of county government that are provided by other entities, such as fire protection, water supply, garbage pickup and library service, were also adequate.
Members of the incorporation committee said they were pleased with the results.
“Even though the survey didn’t go out to the entire Freeland community, we believe that the results are statistically significant and reflective of current sentiment,” said Mike Dolan, a member of the incorporation committee.
Many who took the survey had a harsh assessment of Freeland as it looks today.
Roughly 66 percent said Freeland was not a “very pretty town.” And 62 percent said there isn’t enough parks or lands devoted to open space and 69 percent said there were not enough good paying jobs in Freeland.
People who took the survey said cityhood supporters need to do more to explain the incorporation effort; 70 percent of those who responded felt more public meetings were necessary and 84 percent wanted to see a proposed city budget and financial projections.
Some of the questions were modified from a survey Island County sent out in 2000.
Of the 72 surveys that were returned, 31 people reported they live within the proposed city. Of the total answering the question on incorporation, 41 people showed a desire to see Freeland incorporate, while only 11 opposed incorporation.
Dolan said the survey results give a good snapshot into what people are thinking.
“Public participation is crucial to help the incorporation group get a feel for concerns and issues before the community,” he said.
Gayle Saran can be reached at 221-5300 or gsaran@southwhidbeyrecord.com
