Chesterfield residents satisfied, poll finds

New exit ramps will open at state Route 288-U.S. 60

For the first time, more than half of county residents say they feel well-informed about major county decisions.

By: Zachary Reid | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: January 18, 2011

A survey to measure resident satisfaction in Chesterfield County showed some of the highest ratings since polling first was conducted in 1986.

For the first time, more than half of county residents say they feel well-informed about and involved in major county decisions, according to the 2010 Citizen Satisfaction Survey. The biannual survey is conducted for the county by the Center for Survey Research at the University of Virginia.

"When you consider what we have been through, it says worlds about this board and about the county employees," County Administrator James J.L. "Jay" Stegmaier said of the results.

He said he was particularly proud of topping the 50 percent mark in government openness. "We have seen very significant and substantial improvements (there)," he said.

He credited the Board of Supervisors for sticking to the pledge of openness and transparency that they made when they were seated three years ago.

The major findings of the poll include:

•93.5 percent of county residents said they enjoy an outstanding quality of life.

•92.1 percent said the county is a great place to raise children.

•85.2 percent said county schools prepare students for success.

•78.6 percent said the county is a good steward of the environment.

•50.6 percent said the government was open and inclusive in its decision-making process, topping half for the first time. Six years ago, that number was 43.6 percent.

"Because of the economy, we weren't quite sure what to expect," said Kevin W. Bruny, the chief learning officer for the county. "We were pleasantly surprised."

Marshall Lewis, the senior administrative analyst who was in charge of the survey, agreed, saying he was "quite surprised" but equally pleased.

The results are based on about 550 phone surveys conducted in August and September. The respondents were split about evenly among the county's five political districts. The margin of error in the poll is plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.

zreid@timesdispatch.com

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