You might not be able to fight city hall, but many North Bay residents say you can’t trust it either.
A group of Baylor University business students conducting a six-month long study on the city’s economic direction delivered some eyebrow-raising results from a survey of North Bay residents.
In a survey of 4,585, 79 per cent of respondents stated that they enjoy living in North Bay and 91 per cent stated that growth is important.
Of those who declared they like living in North Bay, only 29 per cent trust the municipal government.
Among those who stated they disliked living in the city, 7 per cent expressed a mistrust of the municipality.
The Baylor students said a 24 per cent trust factor is the national average.
The students, who presented their findings in a Dec. 11 public presentation, are with the Baylor Focus Firm Partnership Project, initiated last September.
They were invited north by project co-leads and brothers Tim and Kevin Hutchison, both Baylor business grads.
On the city’s plans and goals, only 15 per cent of respondents indicated they have an understanding of them. The 56 per cent of those that do, don’t agree with them.
The presentation wraps up the study’s first phase. Come January, the students will explore the city’s requirements and identify some strategic priorities.
The city officials took the news in stride.
In a news release, Paul Goulet, chair of the Invest North Bay Development Corporation, welcomed the feedback, calling it “invaluable” in helping to shape the city’s future direction.
“Every progressive organization needs an impartial outside perspective and the City of North Bay could not have hoped for a better partner.”
“Our community has clearly stated they want to see our city grow and prosper,” said Mayor Al McDonald in a statement. “We can use this data to make the changes necessary and work with all those interested in helping to build our city. We look forward to Phase II to build a comprehensive strategy that can be communicated with our community and supported by our residents.”
