|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, January 12, 2007
| Contact: |
Don
Krupp, Chief Administrative Officer, 360-786-5440 |
|
Dave Pavelchek, Social and Economic
Sciences
Research
Center
, 360-586-4583 |
County
Launches
Second Phase of Citizen Survey
OLYMPIA
–
Thurston
County
is once again seeking citizen opinions regarding services and programs
provided by the county. Last year
the county surveyed more than 600 registered voters to discover their
priorities for county government. This
newest survey is also being done in conjunction with the Social and Economic
Sciences Research Center of Washington State University.
Thurston County
Chief Administrative Officer Don Krupp says last year’s survey gave a
general overview of county government. The
new survey is looking more in depth into criminal justice issues.
“ This time we are seeking a more comprehensive look into law and
justice, in particular, incarceration and alternatives to incarceration.
We are specifically looking at three issues- prevention, diversion and
rehabilitation. We feel this is
the best opportunity to hear directly from citizens regarding their concerns
and priorities for these important programs.”
The telephone
survey of 400 county residents will be done early in 2007.
A background letter is being sent to 2,000 randomly selected voters
notifying them that they may be contacted to take part in the survey.
Dave Pavelchek of the
Research
Center
says it will be a scientifically correct process.
“The survey is designed to reach a representative random sample of
registered voters. That way we
will get a valid, unbiased assessment of public opinion.”
A focus group session will be held after the survey is completed to
help evaluate the results.
Results of this
new round of information gathering will be used to help with program planning
for the county’s new Accountability and
Restitution
Center
, planned for opening in 2009. The
information will also be used in a variety of other ways including decisions
on community partnerships and on budget priorities.
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