Phone Survey

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Author Message   ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 1034 Registered: 11-2001 Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 7:14 pm:        FYI - I just received a call from an opinion research group asking me about town politics. I was asked to name the three most important issues in Maplewood (I chose from a list) and asked if I could identify the names of the mayor and the other four members of the town council (?). Then I was asked to evaluate the job each was doing. Anyone know anything about some sort of initiative that would require public input like this? Just curious.   Jersey Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 137 Registered: 1-2006 Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 8:27 pm:        First helicopters and now this. I, for one, will be wearing a tin foil hat. J.B.   johnny Citizen Username: Johnny Post Number: 1547 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 8:30 pm:        Sounds like Huemer or Profeta financed it personally. Huemer wants to be next Mayor and Profeta is current Mayor. Fight over who should be next Mayor is brewing in Democratic party. They both have the $$ to do it and it wouldn't be the first time. If public money was used, it was a big freakin' waste.   KRNL Citizen Username: Krnl Post Number: 23 Registered: 9-2005 Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 9:27 pm:        I guess I got that call too. Someone asked for me by my first name (as is we are on speaking terms!) and said it was to poll my opinion about government. Somehow these pollsters don't understand that I don't want ANYONE calling me that I do not know. I didn't give this one the chance to protest that polls aren't covered by the Do Not Call List--but it is all SOLICITATION in my opinion. If its public $$ where is it in the budget? If they have the $$ to do it, perhaps when we give our candidates $$ we should put the condition on it that we are not to be called at our homes.   annettedepalma Citizen Username: Annettedepalma Post Number: 372 Registered: 11-2001 Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 12:07 am:        Dave or Jamie Ross, in the interests of marital harmony (mine, that is), can you please delete the 11:54pm post in this thread? Thanks!   Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 12381 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 1:06 pm:        Does anyone know who financed the poll? I answered it and then immediately thereafter, I resented having done so. The woman claimed that it was an independent poll, but the questions were too pointed for me to believe that. If you want to convince me it was independent, please try to do so, and I'll listen. But right now, I am annoyed by the willful deception.   johnny Citizen Username: Johnny Post Number: 1549 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 1:41 pm:        I would bet a lot of $$ on the fact that Huemer or Profeta financed it with their own $$. Huemer feels he should be next Mayor, based on past precendent that TC members take turns.   Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 12386 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 1:55 pm:        I sent an email to the TC members, asking if any off them funded or authorized the poll.   johnny Citizen Username: Johnny Post Number: 1552 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 8:37 pm:        Got the call... I will now add the Maplewood Democratic Party to my list of suspects.   ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4750 Registered: 9-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 12:24 pm:        "But right now, I am annoyed by the willful deception." Who really cares who's asking questions, or how much it costs? I'm sure it's not coming from taxpayers money without the TC first approving it. Furthermore, no one has to answer if they don't want to. Relax Tom... you should be thankful that someone cares enough to be asking us in town what we think. BTW, it's always a good idea to think carefully before we speak, especially when we're thinking of representing others... ;-) TTT   ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 4484 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 12:44 pm:        I gave fake answers. And then the last question was to rate all 5 TC members, but they started to say thankyou after only 4 were rated. Vic was the 5th.   Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 8579 Registered: 4-1997 Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 1:28 pm:        Then Vic probably didn't pay for it.   johnny Citizen Username: Johnny Post Number: 1554 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 2:43 pm:        They asked interviewee to rank top three issues for Maplewood and then gave a list. Suprisingly, the school system was not on the list. They also asked who you would vote for in primary this summer.   ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 4490 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 4:21 pm:        I didn't get that question.   Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 10604 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 5:57 pm:        The schools are run by the Board of Education. The TC has very little to do with the schools, other than some limited budget oversight.   Peter Citizen Username: Peter Post Number: 194 Registered: 7-2004 Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 9:59 pm:        I got the call and asked who was sponsoring the poll. The kid hung up on me.   johnny Citizen Username: Johnny Post Number: 1556 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 11:51 pm:        Bob K- TC members help make up the BOSE which has full control over the school budget. Although they have been a rubber stamp for Super H in recent years, they have much more than "limited budget oversight." Hopefully, someday they will actually use their power.   Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 10606 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 4:17 am:        Johnny, all they can do is approve or disapprove the budget. Also the BOSE is made up of representatives from both the MW TC and the SO BOT. This is why I called the power limited.   ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 1065 Registered: 11-2001 Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 1:07 am:        I didn't get the question about whom I would vote for in the primaries, either. Maybe that was because I really, sadly, could not give evaluations of how the current TC members are doing. My career is market research, and usually I can use that to bow out of most surveys, but this one got me anyway.   ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4752 Registered: 9-2001 Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 8:02 am:        "Maybe that was because I really, sadly, could not give evaluations of how the current TC members are doing." It is sad Ess, but I'm sure you're not alone. The truth is, less than half of the residents in town even bother to vote, much less know who or what they’re voting for. As for not knowing how the current administration is doing, I'm afraid you'll need to put in a little effort. The good news is there's plenty of time to find out before you pull the lever. I’m sure there will be some good input on MOL, but I suggest you watch, or better yet attend a few Township Committee meetings and get it first hand. You can also speak directly to some of the members of the committee or new candidates, which is probably the best way to judge who deserves your vote. FWIW, voting along party lines, or because it’s the right thing to do is OK if you’re just satisfied to vote with the majority. However, real voters and people who care about the community get involved. Good luck...   Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 12536 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 10:34 pm:        Fred told me the poll was to help with political strategy in the upcoming primary. I told him some of the questions could be even more useful if used for governance. He agreed. I must say, asking the TC members directly was pretty rewarding.   ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4780 Registered: 9-2001 Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 11:21 pm:        "...asking the TC members directly was pretty rewarding." ... true Tom, very true. I'm glad to hear it. I've always found Democrats to be very open and candid, even if they were to shoot one of their friends with birdshot.   johnny Citizen Username: Johnny Post Number: 1560 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 11:45 pm:        Tom- Who paid? Democratic Party or tax payers?   Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 12538 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 11:51 pm:        Not tax payers. I think Fred paid himself.   ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4782 Registered: 9-2001 Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 8:21 am:        "...asking the TC members directly was pretty rewarding." So does this mean you're no longer annoyed by, as you said last Wednesday, the willful deception? Is everything OK with you now Tom? And how about you Annette... Is everything OK with you after having Dave and Jamie delete your 11:54pm post in this thread, which you said was in the interests of your marital harmony? I have to admit, you two gave me a real fright last week while I was in the Bahamas. I felt so helpless. Lets hope, all's well that ends well...   Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 12542 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 8:29 am:        I'm not annoyed any more, if you must know. I understand a little better how the system works. Fred said the pollsters messed up a bit. When respondents ask who commissioned the poll, the pollsters are supposed to say they don't know, because, in fact, they won't know. They should not be evasive.   ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4783 Registered: 9-2001 Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 12:00 pm:        ...thanks for sharing Tom, but why so stingy? Listen, you are MOL's number one poster. You have something to say about almost everything, and people look up to you for guidance. I would have thought you would be flattered to receive a call, and after all, this is not the first phone survey in Maplewood political history. Do you agree it's a good thing that someone cares enough to ask everyone their opinions about how things are going in town? I can't imagine that the TC members themselves would have the time to call residents. I mean they are in town on weekends, and they also have office hours, but that only reaches a small number of people. A phone survey at least reaches a broad section of the community that may not otherwise be heard from. I realize the mystery is gone out of this, but where are the other contributors? I can guess why Annette hasn't replied again, but where is Dave, Johnny, Ess, Bobk, Peter, ffof, KRNL, Jersey Boy, and of course Ess who started this thread? Well,I don't mind saying I'm very pleased about the phone survey. I feel it’s a positive thing to reach out to our residents. I only wish they cared enough to call me once in a while. I mean my phone number is listed and all...   ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 1101 Registered: 11-2001 Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 1:49 pm:        Is the question whether or not I liked the survey? Approved of it? I am not sure I understand, ajc. I actually don't think a phone survey in general is "willful deception". As a researcher, I find that telephone interviewing is one of the most important and effective ways to gather information, which then informs strategy, which then enables the (brand, business, candidate -- you choose) to enact this strategy and go after a target audience. Most telephone interviewers will tell you who is sponsoring the survey, and if they don't want to say "Big Tobacco" (for example) they will simply say they are a market research firm. Anyway, I was never "annoyed" by the survey, just curious. I am the first one to admit that my knowledge of local politics is sorely deficient (and thanks for the tips on how to improve that, ajc) so I was wondering what might be going on.   ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4788 Registered: 9-2001 Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 2:46 pm:        Thanks Ess, I'm glad we agree it's a good thing. It really is a good tool to get your finger on the pulse of the community. I find it amusing though, every time another survey is taken, the rumor mill starts up as if someone was spying, or there was something wrong with asking questions. Listen, if I can be of any further assistance feel free to beam me up... BTW, as for keeping yourself abreast of what’s going on in town, it just so happens a friend gave me a copy today of the written minutes of the January 17th Township Committee meeting. Much of the individual conversations from the public are truncated or paraphrased. However, when there is something of importance you need information on, this is another way to get it. Best wishes...   Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 12547 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 4:40 pm:        Art, I have a serious MOL addiction, and you're asking me to say MORE than I already say?   ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4791 Registered: 9-2001 Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 5:10 pm:        ...I know, but I only want the facts, and nothing but the facts. Save all your other BS for the trolls!   johnny Citizen Username: Johnny Post Number: 1565 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 9:36 pm:        I think the survey was somewhat leading in the way they presented the questions and possible answers. It probably would have been more informative if answers could have been more open-ended. If Fred wants to spend his own cash, so be it. But he could have gotten better info with a better designed survey.   ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4793 Registered: 9-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 12:21 am:        "...he could have gotten better info with a better designed survey." Could you give us an example of what better info they could have received? Also, how do you know what information they got? From what we have heard, it appears different questions were asked to different people... Also, do you know what information they intended to get in the first place?   Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5258 Registered: 3-2002 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 7:29 am:        Art, there was another thread on the survey awhile back in the Soapbox maybe, which a number of folks responded to... I was asked what the three major issues were confronting the town, out of a list of ten maybe. I was asked to name the current TC members (I could do that!) and to rate them. I was asked if I was likely to vote in the June primary (yes, if I stay affiliated). I was asked who I was likely to vote for out of a list of six names, one being a fake name that has been used before (I said...of that list, I can tell you who I would never vote for). The thing I found most curious was when I was asked to rate the five TC members' performance as "excellent", "pretty good", "fair" or "poor". I asked if there was something between "excellent" and "pretty good" ("pretty good" sounded a bit colloquial...maybe they could have used "good" or "very good"..."pretty good" also seems just above "fair"), so one example might be better wording of questions. Also, better pronunciatin of the names they are asking you to rate might help too. I also asked how much these surveys cost (noone responded...but Im still curious) and would really give high marks to the person who said, "Ive thought it over and instead of spending money on a phone survey, I am donating the money to youth recreation or some worthy school programs."   ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4794 Registered: 9-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 10:33 am:        A Rose by any other name is still a Rose, and a survey is just a survey. Dear Hank et. al., There are no Academy Awards given to honor the best survey. It's not an IQ test, and it's not anything to be evaluated or judged. It’s also nothing to get upset over. It's just a survey.... No one is forced to answer a survey. There's no summons issued for hanging up the phone, or being in some way disrespectful to the interviewer. Those who are interviewed are not sworn in, and they will not be charged with perjury if they don't tell the truth. It’s just a survey. A survey can be a review, an examination, an assessment or appraisal… A survey can examine study, investigate, or analyze… A survey can measures, map out, and size up… However, it’s still just a survey. As we see, a survey is many different things to many different people, but it’s just a survey. IMHO, a survey is a valuable tool especially when used as a means to evaluate the level of service being provided by government. So now I would like to take a survey of my own…. Not responding to this survey means you agree. Q. How many people agree that the recent survey was a good thing for Maplewood residents to respond to?   Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 8670 Registered: 4-1997 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 11:37 am:        The main purpose of a survey is to save money on campaigning. If you know you're strong in one area of town, you can send them less literature. If senior citizens don't know who you are, you can spend more time at senior events and do a mailing just to them. Less printing and less postage quickly add up to more than the cost of a survey. A survey can be also be used to replace a weak candidate with a stronger one or figure out if it's wise to fight someone in a primary.   ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4795 Registered: 9-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 2:16 pm:        Thanks for sharing Dave... I agree with all of that, but "my" survey asked whether you agree or disagree that the recent survey was a good thing for Maplewood?   Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 12560 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 2:45 pm:        I'd say it's pretty close to neutral. The way it can be most helpful is if it helps the incumbents get re-elected and they end up doing a good job. Actually, even better is if they take our priorities and run with them while they govern. And they probably will, for the most part. The biggest issue for the town people is taxes. Yet there's little the town can do that it isn't already doing. The town portion of the tax bill is 20%. 90% of that is non-discretionary. So even if they cut that last portion out, it wouldn't reduce our bills significantly. The thing they can and should do is try to increase revenue. And they are doing that, with development. But as important as the high taxes are, I think the TC should turn to other issues. I don't mean they should turn their energy away from development, but they are already doing what they can about the taxes.   sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 14604 Registered: 10-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 7:06 pm:        So was a weak candidate identifed?   ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4796 Registered: 9-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 8:50 pm:        Trust me, there are no weak members of the Township Committee who are candidates for re-election. Dear "S", Like with any job, it takes a certain amount of time and experience before people become proficient in their jobs, and begin to produce the effective results we all expect from them. Kathy and Ken's metal has been tested, and they have been proven to be worthy of continued support to finish the good work they have begun. As for any other perspective candidates this year, they have remained holed up in their caves, unwilling and afraid to show their faces in the light of day... IMHO, this speaks volumes about who they are, and who they’re not. This is not a game to be played. Candidates should not play hide and seek. We’re facing some very serious decisions this year and I expect the Democratic Party in town to be responsible and forth coming in the election process. I believe with such a short window until the June Primary, the time has passed for any spoilers to mount a credible campaign, and the Democrats should support the slate that has supported them for three years… I rest my case Big Boy!   sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 14606 Registered: 10-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 8:53 pm:        Trust me. I think you're wrong.   Nohero Supporter Username: Nohero Post Number: 5049 Registered: 10-1999 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 9:32 pm:        If they're running together again, they really ought to re-register their campaign domain name - www.pettis-leventhal.org (This is what it used to look like - http://web.archive.org/web/20040326224953/http://www.pettis-leventhal.org/) According to a "Whois" search (http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jhtml), the domain is available.   Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 8693 Registered: 4-1997 Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 12:53 am:        That just means they're not team players. Um, wait a second...   pseudonymous Citizen Username: Berry_festival Post Number: 232 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 11:34 pm:        Trust me. I agree with S.   ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4797 Registered: 9-2001 Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 10:42 pm:        So who do you trust? Listen, if and when another candidate decides to throw their hat in the ring, “Trust Me”, I'll be there to catch it...   Nohero Supporter Username: Nohero Post Number: 5062 Registered: 10-1999 Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 4:22 pm:        The statement made in my post above (Thursday, 2/16, 9:32 p.m.) is, as the saying goes, "no longer operative". Somebody registered the domain on Saturday (gee, I hope that it was the campaign).