Polls

I guess we'll never be satisfied with each others polls, will we?

Eureka Councilcritter, Jeff Leonard is challenging the poll Citizens for Real Economic Growth sponsored on how residents felt about the Marina Center and the Balloon Tract. Leonard wants a closer look at the poll to determine its legitimacy.

I suppose that's a fair request but I wonder if that will lead anywhere? After all, I might well have answered NO myself, if asked if the Marina Center would be the best use for the Balloon Tract. I've said before I don't have problems with empty lots just remaining empty lots, but I think if I'd had my druthers, I'd rather see a factory of some kind put there.

Thing is, a factory ain't gonna happen, so you won't see me opposing Marina Center but, depending on the mood I was in, I might well answer NO if asked about the Marina Center- Marina Center being the best use, that is.

Polls often leave so many questions unanswered, I can't help but think we should be skeptical of any poll no matter how well it's worded.

Then there's Kaitlin Sopoci- Belknap's discounting of the Eureka Chamber of Commerce poll that showed the vast majority of respondents opposing Measure T. She's right, no where near the majority of the members bothered to return the poll and most businesses aren't members of the Chamber. Does that mean they don't necessarily oppose Measure T?

That's hard to say. I suspect most might not be thinking much about the issue. I suspect a lot just never get around to bothering with filling out the poll and sending it in.

I never cease to be amazed at how few people will return candidate petitions I mail out when we're trying to qualify candidates for the ballot. I've sent out petitions with all required fields that need to be filled in hightlighted, including a stamped and addressed return envelope and yet, still, maybe ten percent of the recipients fill them out and return them (although I probably broke some kind of record last time I did a mailing ending up with a thirty percent return rate).

So, much of the non- response the Eureka Chamber got is likely the way it always is. For those that didn't bother voting, you snooze, you lose. Besides, the Yes On T folks have been trumpeting the Wal Mart vote as evidence of people not wanting a big box on the Balloon Tract. I don't believe even fifty percent of the people turned out for that vote, either.

Bottom line is, we use polls and statistics when they suit our purpose. Nothing wrong with that. It's both politics and human nature.