Fair Questionnaire Results

Boone County Democratic Party

Questionnaire for the 2013 Boone County Fair

Legend:

B100=District 100 Belvidere; Total #=62

NB200= District 200 North Boone; Total #=31 #=32 for county questions

AO= All others; Total #=29

BC= Boone County Resident; Total #= 94

1. How well does your school district prepare students for college and the work place? 

A. Does both jobs very well B100 23% NB200 13% AO 28%

B. Prepares students for college but not work place B100 25% NB200 26% AO 17%

C. Prepares students well for the work place but not for college. B100 7% NB200 6% AO 3%

D. Does not prepare students well for either college or work place B100 25% NB200 23% AO 24%

E. Does an excellent job only in some area such as___B100 2% NB200 0% AO 0%

No Opinion B100 18% NB200 32% AO 24%

2.  If you were going to convince someone to move to Boone County, which of the following reasons would you use?

Please number the reasons in order of importance:  1=most -9=least; using a “0” for reasons you would not use.

A. ______________Good Quality School System

B. #1 __              Rural Environment—Both NB200 and B100’s top choice. Second & Third all items very close with only “F” significantly lower choice.

C. _____________ Low Taxes

D. ______________ Proximity to Chicago and collar counties

E. ______________ Inexpensive Housing

F. ______________Job prospects in Boone-Winnebago Counties

G. ______________ Recreational Opportunities

H. AO: nearly evenly Friendly accepting neighborhoods

I. split H &I as #1 The County Fair and other local events

3. Do you think that the current county open burning ordinances are strict enough? Yes: BC 51% No: BC 21% No Opinion: BC 28%

4.  Does Boone County need a soup kitchen for the homeless?   Yes: B100 61% NB200 53% No: B100 24% NB200 9% Don’t have an opinion: B100 15% NB200 38%

If yes, in what community should it be located?   Belvidere 18; votes no other location more than one vote.

5. There currently is a county wide Public Safety Sales Tax of ½ cent. It is schedule to stop in 2018.  In the past several years this sales taxes paid not only for principle and interest on the Public Safety Building but for salaries and Jail expenses.

A. Do you favor a continuation of this tax after the building is paid off in 2018?  Yes: BC 41% No: BC 39% No Opinion: BC 20%

B. Would you support a referendum authorizing continuing this tax after 2018?  Yes: BC 38% No: BC 38% No Opinion: BC 24%

6. Under proper regulation would you be in favor of wind energy projects in Boone County? Yes: B100 69% NB200 53% No: B100 21% NB200 47% No Opinion: B100 10% NB200 0%

7. The Federal and State government should subsidize low cost pre-school learning programs.  Agree: B100 63% NB200 66% AO 60% Disagree: B100 26% NB200 28% AO 20%   No opinion: B100 11% NB200 6% AO 20%

8.  Ida Public Library is the only public library in the county.  Most county residents outside of Belvidere must pay a fee to have a library card.  Would you support a tax referendum to extend “feeless” library service to the rest of the county?      Yes: B100 58% NB200 53% No: B100 26% NB200 28%  No opinion: B100 26% NB200 19% I am a City of Belvidere resident? B100 45% stated they were.

9.   Most Boone County Sheriff’s deputies are provided a squad car to take home during their off time shift.  Do you agree with this policy?  Yes: B100 48% NB200 60%; No: B100 48% NB200 38% No Opinion B100 4% NB200 2%  If you believe the policy should be modified in some way, how?

10.  What do you believe is the most important issue facing Boone County? 

B100: Jobs#1, taxes and education lag behind with approximately half the number of responses for each. NB200: Wind Turbines#1 with jobs coming in next at about half the number. AO: Jobs #1 with crime as #2 with half the number of responses.