Seeking opinions

Public opinion surveys can provide an intriguing glimpse into the minds and lives of a community.

The one conducted annually by the Center for Community Studies at Jefferson Community College is always interesting and useful.

It seeks an "an inventory of the attitudes and opinions of a representative sample of Jefferson County residents." The purpose is to "collect data regarding quality of life issues of importance to local citizens."

This year's 10th annual poll of 382 Jefferson County residents found more dissatisfaction with north country life than previous offerings — or, to be precise, fewer people who believed that life in Northern New York was improving.

Only 21.8 percent answered that the quality of life in this part of New York is getting better, the lowest in that category since 2005. Last year, 43.6 percent thought it was.

Even so, most residents surveyed seem to hold a positive view of the region: 74.4 percent said that the overall quality of life in the north country is either improving or remaining the same. Only 20.8 percent said it was getting worse.

Foremost in the minds of many people are jobs and the economy: 81 percent of respondents view those as the largest issues facing the nation. Significantly, 72 percent sense the local economy is declining and 31 percent said their personal financial picture has darkened over the past year.

But there is much more to be found by accessing the report on the Center for Community Studies site: www.sunyjefferson.edu/ccs/ccs_survey.html.

One of the bright spots is that 63 percent judge downtown Watertown to be "getting better."