Report on Test Forum Governmental Unification
February 28, 2005
Twelve local citizens devoted two and a half hours on Monday night, February 28, to listen, learn, and share their views about the structure and direction of their local governments.
The group was convened by the Public Life Foundation of Owensboro. The foundation promotes broad and meaningful citizen participation in community decision making and public policy. The foundation works at ways to give citizens from all walks of life a voice in the direction of their community.
An issue brief that was published in the January edition of its magazine, the Public Life Advocate, served as the dialogue guide. Much of the issue brief was converted to a power point presentation moderated by the foundation’s president, Rodney Berry.
Following a series of presentations, two groups of six participants engaged in dialogue led by experienced facilitators Keith Sanders and Chad Gesser.
The presentation began at approximately 5:45 p.m. and concluded at 8:00 p.m.
Participant Demographic Information
The forum reflected a good faith effort to solicit views of a cross section of the community. Prospective participants were not screened to ensure that certain views would be represented among the participants.
Forum participants included one person between 18-29, one between 30-44, eight between 45-64, and two over 65 years of age. This included a college student, a disabled person, several retired individuals, a college professor, a former city official, and a county fire chief who also served on the 1987-90 Urban-County Charter Commission.
Six women and six men participated. Five of the participants reside in the city; seven reside outside the city in Daviess County. Four are employed in the city, four in the county, and four are either retired or disabled.
There were 11 white participants, 1 African American.
The educational level of the participants: three graduated from high school (one also graduated from vocational school), four have some college credits, three have college degrees, and two have post graduate education.
Post-Discussion Questionnaire
Prior to this forum, I was inclined to be:
in favor of unification 4 (33%)
opposed to unification 1 (8%)
undecided 5 (42%)
no opinion 2 (17%)
Now that I participated in the forum, I am inclined to support the following option:
retain the current structure 0
expand collaboration 7 (58%)
consolidate 1 (8%)
other: expand collaboration with baby steps toward consolidation 1 (8%)
undecided 3 (25%)
The forum helped me understand the unification issues and choices facing our community:
yes 12 (100%) no 0
The forum helped me gain a greater understanding of other points of view:
yes 12 (100%)
no 0
I recommend that others participate in similar forums:
yes 12 (100%)
no 0
Forums such as this will reduce the divisiveness that characterized the 1990 merger initiative:
yes 11 (92%)
no 0
not sure 1 (8%)
Forums such as this:
should be held throughout the period that
the city-county task force is doing its work 12 (100%)
should not be held until the task force completes its work 0
Was the information presented clear and easy to understand?
yes 12 (100%)
no
Was the information presented fair and balanced?
yes 12 (100%)
no 0
Did the information presented have:
too much detail 0
not enough detail 2 (17%)
about the right amount of detail 10 (83%)
Was the discussion format effective?
yes 12 (100%)
no 0
Comments:
Need more information on opposition. Live in the city, would like to hear why unification is not supported
Very informative to me. I learned a lot.
In larger forums you might have to be concerned with information overload.
Countywide information session will enhance the needed information to make good understanding and voting.
Appreciate your effort to be impartial and to present a balanced view.