Well, this is exciting. This morning I picked up the house phone when it rang, instead of letting it go to voicemail, and it was a poll that started out something like “Do you think things in Newton are generally going in the right direction, or is Newton on the wrong track?” I apologize that I don’t have the precise wording, because I’ve been distracted by email in the meantime.
And I apologize even more that I did not get to take the poll, because while scrambling to find my iPhone to record the whole thing, instead of grabbing my Handy Voice Recorder, the automated voice ran out of patience after about three repeats and hung up.
So if anyone else gets this poll, take notes and report!
I got the poll as wellm but had no more success than Julia. A series of generic topics on the most important issue in Newton was read after the right track/wrong track question. They included Education, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Holding Taxes, etc. I was waiting for something on development, overdevelopment, zoning reform or the like. None was offered. I hit 3
and then 7,other. This seemed to baffle the tape and nothing further happened. Like Julia, I’d like to know more about this poll, but my visceral reaction is that the topics are too bland to yield any useful information.
These surveys are very costly. Someone with lots of cash is behind it.
Sounds like I didn’t miss much, at least. My #1 issue is overdevelopment, and I think it is for a lot of people. Someone clueless must have written it for it not to even be an option. Was “traffic” an option?
Not necessarily clueless, someone with an agenda.
We just got it here.
After answering on: “Right track/wrong track” and areas of interest (Education, Economic Development, Sustainability, Affordable Housing, Taxes, and Efficient Government) the survey tails into two specific questions on economic development and on education.
From there the survey focuses on demographics: Age, Ethnicity, and Political party
They do also ask how the respondant engages in debate on newton issues (and lists Facebook, Village14, and the TAB)
Finally, the survey asks how best the respondant would like to be contacted and identifies itself as having been run by http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/
Very interesting stuff
Like Chris, I just got the call. The caller ID stated that it was from a “private caller”. I took the call and answered all of the questions although I, too, thought that several of the questions particularly those on “economic development” and “sustainability would have been answered yes or no by residents who have very different opinions of what those terms should mean for Newton. I’m pretty convinced that this was a poll in search of an answer and sponsored by folks and interests that want more development here. Fortunately it was a message and not a solicitation so I didn’t have to use my usual line of “Mr. Burke has gone to a monastery in the West of Ireland for prayer and reflection.” We expect him back in a year or so”.
I hung up on them when I heard the words ‘short survey’. It appears I may have had too quick a trigger finger.
I got it as well. Questions on right track/wrong track, most important thing to focus on (affordable housing, economic development, education, taxes, etc.). Question on early education and whether we should spend more on it. Question on how I get my news in Newton (I said Village 14, and how cool is it that this site got a mention!). And the usual who you are demographically.
As for the those immediately declaring it came from a big net worth developer, I have never known a developer to spend for a survey. That said, Colleen, I don’t think these survey’s are as expensive as you make out.
I wonder if this is the beginning of someone challenging Setti for Mayor, or if Setti set this up. It was pretty cool, I’m glad I didn’t hang up., but I agree the questions were not the greatest.
You guys are great! Thanks! I love that they listed V14 as an option for where people engage in debate.
I wonder if questions diverge depending on how people answer early questions.
Maybe we should have a poll on who we think commissioned the poll. 😉 Suggestions for who to include?
They also asked democrat or repub or indy
I really thing it is largely politicians who do these polls.
I also got this survey.
I looked up Public Policy Polling and found that it is a left-wing, Democrat Party-allied firm.
I agree with fignewtonville’s observations in that I wonder if Setti set this up.
I didn’t get one. But these surveys are really cheap. The phone number by itself is $.02 per number and the actual polling can be as small as $.07-9 per polling call (depending on how long the call is, etc.) Obviously the more people you poll the less per call it will be. If you only use 1000 people in your polling group you’re looking at roughly $100.
I suspect a mayoral nominee testing the water.
That was our Village14 poll. Next up, you’ll be invited to the upcoming V14 focus group and community engagement meeting – we’ll supply the colored dots.
I agree with Tom this may be someone testing the waters about a future run for Mayor.
I think Mike Striar, Scott Lennon and Rick Lipof all have their eye on the second floor office in City Hall.