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Compared to a year ago, your economic situation is... Better, thanks to the policies of President Obama and his administration. Better because the private sector in this country always adjusts to problems, unlike the government. Worse, I don't have a job. Worse, it will take a long time to recover from the past year's economic downturn. View All Results	What do you think is the most important federal issue for our leaders in Washington to tackle? Health care reform. Mideast entanglements. The federal deficit. The economy and jobs. Others View All Results
Do you intend to vote in the Nov. 3 election? No, there are no races that interest me. Yes, I always vote, it's my democratic duty. I'm still trying to decide if there's something worthy of my voting attention. View All Results	Regarding gas drilling in our region... The economic benefits are not worth the potential environmental and infrastructure damage. The environmental concerns are minor given this rare and potential huge economic windfall for the region and its residents. View All Results
Extending the state sales tax to include the arts and cultural institutions is... Unfair to both consumers and organizations involved. Necessary given the state's economic and budget realities at this time. A good idea that should be pursued later when the economy is in better condition. View All Results	What do you consider the most critical issue in the city of Williamsport? Crime. Lack of economic development. High taxation of a limited tax base. Other. View All Results
Surveillance cameras in my neighborhood.... Are an infrigement on my freedom. Would be worth it anyway for the increased safety and crime fighting they would bring. Should be used very sparingly if we are clearly in a high-crime area. View All Results	Gov. Rendell's most recent approval rating dipped to 33 percent. How would you rate his current performance? Excellent Good Average Below Average Poor View All Results
Your reaction to Tea Parties here and nationwide is.... This is a necessary reaction to the wrong direction and our leaders in Washington are taking our country in. This is nothing more than contrived sour grapes from people bitter about the new power base in Washington. It doesn't move me that much; free speech means people can say what ever they want however they want in this country. View All Results	If Kohl's comes to Williamsport... I'll be a regular shopper, given its downtown location and department store inventory. It won't matter much to me because I'm not impressed with what I've seen, heard or experienced at Kohl's. I'll consider them for my buying decisions, along with my family budget and other alternatives. View All Results
What is the best part of the Little League World Series? Collecting pins Welcoming thousands of visitors into Williamsport Realizing a financial boost as lots of people spend money at local businesses Watching the kids play baseball Getting to see celebrities View All Results Read/Post a comment	Regarding health care in America.... The Obama proposal that emphasizes nationalized health care is exactly what we need. The Obama proposal is exactly what we don't need because it will result in unnecessary bureaucracy, costs, and slower health care. The system needs tweaked to assure care for those who are falling between the cracks, but not overhauled. View All Results
Should municipalities such as Loyalsock Township with no local police pay a per-resident fee for state police protection? Yes. Loyalsock should have to pay for the luxury of on-call state police coverage. No. It's double taxation since residents already pay state tax. Yes. Perhaps the prospect of such a fee will inspire all Greater Williamsport municipalities to look more closely at a regional police force. View All Results	I think farmers: Get enough money. With all that land, they have to be rich! Should get more for the milk — and other products — they sell. They are feeding our community and our nation! View All Results Read/Post a comment
The best way to run Williamsport city government efficiently is... The existing elected strong mayor format with a seven-member council holding a voting role on the budget and other matters. A paid city manager form of government would be less political and more would get done. View All Results	What is your lasting impression of Michael Jackson? An unrivaled musical and performance genius. A gifted entertainer who stained himself with drugs, plastic surgery and morally questionable behavior. Both. View All Results
What impact has this year's economy had on your normal summer vacation routine? We've canceled everything in favor of more stay-at-home activities. We've had to modify previously made plans in favor of cheaper alternatives. We've made no changes. No matter the economy, we always try to maintain annual vacation plans. View All Results	Concerning President Obama's key initiatives to date: Nationalizing health care is the correct path to reform. Taking over much of the automobile industry and shutting down dealerships was necessary. Driving up the budget deficit with federal economic stimulus dollars is a necessary evil. These were all great ideas. This is a big government disaster in the making. View All Results
Your preferred route to a state budget solution would be... Cut spending to the rate of inflation. Rely on the Rainy Day Fund and federal economic stimulus money. Cut non human services related funding to the bone. A batter of increases in various taxes. View All Results	A looming proposal to nationalize health care in the United States.... Will do nothing but create another costly federal bureaucracy. Will result in delays in much of the needed health care. Is a marked improvement over the current health care plans. Deserves discussion, given the failures of the current system and concerns about what a national health care plan needs. View All Results
What is your first impression of the change in city street sign colors? I like the blue. I like the old green signs. Why bother? View All Results Read/Post a comment	Regarding a proposal to consolidate Pennsylvania's 500 school districts into 100... It's a great idea that will save money for local school districts, improve administrative efficiency and preserve education quality. It's a bad idea that will reduce personal instruction and rob communities of their school identity without economic benefit. It's an idea that should be studied carefully before such a dramatic change is made. View All Results
What would you most like to read about in the Sun-Gazette's Outdoor section? Boating Outdoor survival Fishing Hunting Mountain biking Features on wildlife Extreme sports I'd like to see some "how-to" stories. View All Results Read/Post a comment	Should legislation be passed to allow use of medical marijuana in specific health situations in Pennsylvania? Yes No Can't decide View All Results
The race in Tuesday's primary election that interests me most is: The Lycoming County judges nominations. Williamsport City Council. Other municipal or school board races. Nothing. I'm not voting. View All Results	Regarding the state budget crisis... Start by trimming Gov. Rendell's proposed 4 percent spending increase to no spending increase. Take any and all federal economic stimulus dollars to balance the budget. Refuse all economic stimulus dollars that come with future conditions for the state. Use much of the incoming money from natural gas exploratoin to balance the budget. Use none of the natural gas exploration money in the state budget. View All Results
When it comes to promoting economic development through local government incentives... Such items as Keystone Opportunity Zones should be limited to non-retail projects. Government should not be involved at all. Let the free enterprise system function on its own, free of government incentives and tie-ins. Governments at all levels should do whatever it takes to cultivate any and all forms of economic development. View All Results	The ultimate result for the William Street site in downtown Williamsport will be... A Kohl's department store. Some other retail department store. Some other parking/development plan. A vacant lot. View All Results
How confident are you that the economic stimulus package will improve the nation's economy and employment picture over the next year? Very confident. Somewhat confident. Unsure. Not very confident. No confidence. View All Results	The proposed Employee Free Choice Act would eliminate the private ballot from union organizing votes. Do you support or oppose keeping a person's vote whether to join a union private? The vote should be kept private. The vote should be made public. View All Results
Should public funding be used to make up for investment losses in the pension plans of state employees caused by the recent stock market slump? No. No one in the private sector gets that kind of support in hard times. Yes. The public employees should not be made to suffer from largely private sector failures. A limited boost in public funding to help ease the pension shortfall should be allowed. View All Results	The upcoming revenues from local natural gas drilling should go to.... Landowners only. The state. Local municipalities to reimburse them for infrastructure costs. Shared by all three entities. Shared between landowners and municipalities where the drilling occurs. View All Results
President Obama said last week that the stock market is little more than an opinion poll and not worth his following from day to day. I agree. It's not something that should influence his policy decisions. I disagree. How the market is impacting the retirement and college savings of most average Americans should impact his thinking. He shouldn't react to daily market readings, but the trend of the past six months can't be ignored as an economic indicator. View All Results	What is the likelihood President Obama's stimulus package will create an immediate economic recovery? Likely. This was exactly the right medicine. No impact. It's nothing more than a huge government spending program. Not likely. Government takeover of the economic pursestrings doesn't usually stimulate a turnaround. View All Results
The Lycoming County Commissioners have OK's a $2.6 million loan for water system improvements in Muncy Industrial Park to foster development in the area near Lycoming Mall. The commissioners... Made the correct decision. Their obligation is to push development and job creation for the entire county and there is great potential in the new growth area they designated. Made the wrong decision. Their attention should be focused on downtown Williamsport and the more populous areas of the county. Made the correct decision but should no have withdrawn support of the Kohl's project downtown, despite an apparent disconnect with the city administration and a lack of response to requested paperwork. View All Results	If you were in control of the economic stimulus plan, you would emphasize: Only projects that can create jobs in the next six months. Whatever projects elected officials want to pump into the plan. Tax cuts and rebates limited to the middle-class and lower economic classes. Tax cuts to businesses to stimulate investment and job creation. A much smaller plan. We can't afford this and there's little proof it will actually stimulate the economy. We don't need this at all. Let the free market economy work out its problems the way it always has. View All Results
The best solution to the state budget crisis is.... Eliminate all but the most necessary state programs relating to education, highways, health, welfare and crimefighting. Raise taxes and find other new ways to fund the budget, it's a one-time crisis. Completely re-examine, starting from scratch, the state's expenses and establish a set of priorities based on the realities of Pennsylvania in 2009. View All Results	Your expectations of an economic stimulus plan from President Obama and Congress are: Spend whatever Congress and the president deem necessary to turn the economy around. Limit the expenditures to only those items that can create jobs in the next six months. We don't need this. Tax cuts to individuals, businesses and free market incentives would kick-start the economy in a much more practical way. View All Results
How has the economic downturn and stock market decline of recent months directly impacted you? My 401-K, college funds and/or retirement savings have suffered heavy losses. We have had to completely redo our family budget short and long-term to make up for income losses. Retirement plans and college education for our kids have been delayed or postponed for the foreseeable future. All of the above. None of the above. View All Results	What are your expectations for President Obama's first three months in office? A pronounced turnaround in the economy. A pullout of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. A policy to establish long-term energy cost stability for all Americans. Changes such as these will take more than six months. Changes such as these will take more than a year. View All Results
Have you ever gone pheasant hunting, with or without dogs? Yes, and I think it's a lot of fun. Yes, but I didn't shoot any birds. No, but I would like to go. No, it's too hard to find pheasants around here. No, I don't like bird hunting. View All Results Read/Post a comment	How much impact do you believe Martin Luther King had on the election of Barack Obama as America's first black president? His imprint was a necessary first step. Without Martin Luther King, it would never have happened. Obama was going to win this election. The time had come and he was the best candidate. View All Results
What do you think President-elect Obama should address first when he gets into office? Turning around the economy. Pulling out of Iraq and other Mideast hotbeds. Other priorities such as Social Security and health care reform. View All Results	If you had a wish for the nation in the year ahead it would be: A cure for the nation's economy, credit crisis and stock market. An end to entanglements in Iraq and Afghanistan. A continued drop in gasoline and related energy costs. A successful start to the Obama administration. I have other wishes than these. View All Results
In your estimation, the national story of the year is: The nation's staggering economy, credit market and stock market. The United States continued involvement, albeit with some success, in Iraq and Afghanistan. The election of the nation's first black president, Sen. Barack Obama. The record rise followed by steady fall in gasoline costs. There were other stories of more importance. View All Results	This Christmas season..... I'm spending less than I have in several seasons on Christmas gifts and get togethers due to the economy. I made no changes in the family's Christmas spending, thinking we'll save money on something else. Despite what I though a month ago because of the economy, I'm spending more than ever. Tis the season for giving. View All Results
Would you ever eat a bug, on purpose? Not unless there was a $50 million reward for doing so. Are you kidding? Not EVEN if there was a $100 million reward. Sure, I like bugs. They taste like chicken. Undercooked chicken. Maybe, if I was lost in the woods and thought I had to eat one to survive. I might eat a bug. I've eaten bugs before, on purpose. Most of them really aren't that bad. View All Results Read/Post a comment	Would you agree to pay an amusement tax to attend baseball games, concerts and other entertainment-related events in the city? No! Ticket prices already are too high! No. The city government should find some other way to pay its bills. Yes, I think we can afford to pay more for entertainment. Yes, it's only 5 percent, right? If I have to pay more for a ticket, I'm not going. View All Results Read/Post a comment
How has the drop in gas prices affected you? I'm driving more. I have more disposable income to spend on other pressing family budget needs. I have more disposable income to spend on Christmas shopping. View All Results	What should be the top priority for the city of Williamsport's 2009 budget? No tax increase, even if it means services must be reduced. Increase police protection, even if it takes a tax increase. Redistribution of city funds to establish a new priority on downtown development and revitalization. View All Results
What impact do you expect the Obama administration to have on the nation's economic meltdown? None. The problem is much larger than just his administration. Huge. The administration's fresh ideas will transfrom our economy. The impact will only be significant if congress and the private sector contribute solutions. The nation is in a serious recession that was bound to happen at this time and will take about a year to run its course. View All Results	Because of the impact of the economy on my family budget and various savings accounts, my Christmas-related expenditures will be... More Less The same, I've found ways to compensate for those problems View All Results
Do you plan to go bear hunting this season? Yes, and I can't wait! No, not this year. No, I've never gone bear hunting. No, I don't hunt. Not unless one destroys my bird feeder again! View All Results Read/Post a comment	What should be the top priorities of the state House and Senate members elected in the November election to represent the region? Prevent the state's budget shortfall from causing a tax increase. Increase public education funding to benefit local school districts. Stop permanently the attempt to toll I-80 and actively promote leasing of the turnpike. Generate jobs for the region. View All Results
Do you plan to donate to the United Way this year? Yes, they do a lot of good for people in our community. Yes, but I can't give as much as I did last year. I'm thinking about it. No, the United Way hasn't helped me or anyone I know. No, I can't afford it this year. View All Results Read/Post a comment	What should the top priority of the president-elect be? Revitalizing the nation's slumping economy. Reaching a peaceful, winning solution to all Mideast entanglements. Solving the health care cost crisis. Developing a strategy that brings oil and gas prices under control and moves the country toward energy independence. None of the above. View All Results
The presidential election campaign coverage has been: Thorough, fair and balance. For the most part objective, but it has been overshadowed by the advertising elements. Slanted toward Sen. McCain and his running mate. Slanted toward Sen. Obama and his running mate. View All Results	In recent print editions of the Sun-Gazette's Outdoors section, we have included related news from other states. Would you like to continue to read about outdoors news from other areas, or would you rather see only local news in the Outdoors section? I'd like to learn what's happening in other states, when it comes to hunting, fishing and other outdoors activities. I'd rather see only Pennsylania news in the Outdoors section. I don't read the print edition. I only read the online version. View All Results Read/Post a comment
How has the recent sharp drop in the stock market impacted you most? My 401-k is melting rapidly. The college fund for my kids is shrinking. Our other retirement funds are being threatened. I've been forced to withdraw from all of these investments before losing them entirely. All of the above. None of the above. View All Results	How will you adjust to major rate hikes when electricity caps are lifted next year? I'll cut back heat, fan and air-conditioning usage in major parts of our home. I'll find other means of family savings, such as cutting the grocery bill and gas usage. I'm already conserving enough on electricity usage to make up for the rate hike. I've already done all of the above and am fearful of the impact on our family's budget. View All Results
Bailing out the financial industry.... Shouldn't be done, since it was all created by private businesses and executives acting irresponsibly. Shouldn't be done because the cost to taxpayers won't solve the deeper problems with the nation's economy. Must be done to stabilize the financial system, which ultimately protects the investments and credits of all Americans. Must be done to turn around the nation's overall economy. View All Results	In the next six months, the country's economy will.... Fall into a deep recession under the weight of energy costs and the vulnerable financial market. Improve with the change of administrations. Improve based on solutions reached by elected lawmakers. Remain stagnant. The situation is serious but not as long-term and grave as some believe. View All Results
If there were a Kohl's department store in downtown Williamsport,... I'd come specifically to shop there. I'd shop there and go other places downtown while in Center city. It wouldn't draw me downtown and I'd continue my current shopping patterns. View All Results	Regarding the statewide ban on smoking in most public places that took effect on Thursday... It is unfair to those who choose to smoke. I won't be going to restaurants and other places as much without the chance to have a smoke. It's long overdue given the health dangers of second-hand smoke. View All Results
What is your reaction to the city's efforts to acquire a Kohl's department store for downtown Williamsport? It's worth the city's money. It's critical to Williamsport's downtown revitalization. It's not worth the taxpayer dollars being spent on it. There needs to be more commitment from Kohl's before anymore funding is committed. What's all the fuss about? View All Results Read/Post a comment	What is your opinion of lower the drinking age nationwide to 18? It makes sense because most kids already are drinking at that age. It's a horrible idea that will add to traffic accidents and deaths and other problems related to youth and driving. It's OK if it is accompanied by renewed and more intensive alcohol awareness efforts in high schools and elsewhere. View All Results
In deciding your presidential vote, the major party conventions are... Vital as a way of assessing the party's platform. Vital as a way of assessing the presidential nominee and his vice presidential candidate. Just one of the factors that help decide my vote. Not that important because they are too partisan. I don't follow the conventions. View All Results	What would your reaction be to a wind farm being proposed in your neighborhood? I would make plans to move immediately. I would fight its development. I would welcome it with open arms as a much-needed alternative energy source. It wouldn't bother me because I don't consider windmills disruptive or an eyesore. View All Results
What do you think makes the Little League World Series so popular? It's baseball played by kids at the highest level. It's the international flavor and 10 days of pageantry. It's the American vs. International bracketing that assures a U.S.A. vs. the world finale. All of the above. View All Results	Regarding the upcoming presidential election... I have already decided how I will vote. I'm not interested until after Labor Day and/or the conventions. I usually don't make a decision until the final week of the campaign. I'm not interested because I'm not voting. View All Results
Which alternative would you favor to pay for Pennsylvania's underfunded and needed highway improvements? Increase the state gasoline tax. Lease the turnpike. Make I-80 a toll road. None of the above. Find a better solution. View All Results	The record gas and heating oil prices can be reversed by... Immediately starting off-shore drilling at home to reduce short and long term dependence on foreign oil. Increased efforts and incentives to promote the implementation and use of all other alternative energy sources for heating homes and fueling motor vehicles. Regulating the energy industry to limit profits. All of the above. View All Results
If your land is found to be attractive for gas drilling, you will.... Lease it in a heart beat for all the cash you can get. Be hesitant of the detail involved with letting anyone take control of any part of your property, even your money. Refrain from considering the idea. View All Results	Have you ever found a hellbender in an area stream? No, but I'd like to find one. No, and I hope I never do. Yes, but I didn't bother it. Yes, and I killed it. I didn't even know we had them here. View All Results
How will you adjust to record heating oil prices that are expected this coming fall and winter? I plan to close off rooms of my home. I will have to cut back on food and other expenses. I will be relying more on alternative heat sources. All of the above. I'll pay the extra cost without making changes. View All Results	How best can the current gas price crisis be reversed? Allow off-shore drilling and other alternatives to increase American supplies. Reduce usage of gasoline by finding alternative transportation. Invoke new windfall profits taxes against oil companies. All of the above. Nothing can be done. View All Results
What is your favorite July 4th activity? Family gatherings Fireworks Williamsport or other municipal observances Traveling to attractions View All Results	What should be the top issue in the upcoming presidential race: The economy. The Iraq war/national security. Healthcare reform. Immigration Crime. General leadership ability and experience. Other issues. View All Results
What's your favorite outdoor activity in the summertime? Biking Hiking Swimming Canoeing/kayaking/tubing Fishing Riding ATVs, motorcycles or dirtbikes Boating/Waterskiing/Riding Jetskis Camping View All Results Read/Post a comment	Pennsylvania's smoking ban should... Include everywhere other than private dwellings due to the dangers of secondhand smoke. Should include exemptions for taverns, restaurants and entertainment dwellings. There shouldn't be one. View All Results
How has the cost of gasoline affected your discretionary spending? It has eliminated it. I've had to cut what I spend for food. I've eliminated or sharply cut shopping for clothes and optional items. I've eliminated or sharply cut going out to eat and entertainment-related spending. It hasn't affected me. View All Results	What is your reaction to rising food prices caused, in large part, by record high gasoline prices? I haven't noticed them. I'm stocking up before they go higher. I'm buying less food. They are affecting my family budget. View All Results Read/Post a comment
How did record gasoline prices change your Memorial Day weekend travel plans? I've canceled driving-related activities. I've changed them to reduce driving. My plans were unchanged. I wasn't going anywhere anyway? View All Results Read/Post a comment	What did you do the last time you were in downtown Williamsport? Went to the new cinema center Went to a night establishment Had dinner Drove through/avoided Shopped Used professional services Went to work View All Results
How do you intend to spend your government rebate check? Paying bills Springtime shopping needs A major purchase Savings/investment Vacation costs All of the above None of the above View All Results	Which of the following environmentally friendly activities are part of your daily life? Recycling Car pooling Fewer trips for errands Walking or biking to work, elsewhere Driving a hybrid vehicle None of the above All of the above View All Results
In view of the primary election outcome, are you: Satisfied with the results. Dissatisfied with the results. Disappointed with the two-party system. Dismayed with all of the bickering. Appalled by the role money has played. They don't matter, I don't vote. View All Results	Do you believe crime has lessened in the city? Yes, the mayor says so. Yes, reports of criminal activity have decreased. No, crime always happens. No, my neighborhood is full of criminals Maybe, but it won't last View All Results
It's National Public Health Week. When was the last time you visited a doctor? I regularly schedule an annual physical. I go to my family doctor only when I am sick. I don't have a family doctor and try to care for myself. I seek care through a community health clinic when I am sick. I seek emergency room care when I am sick. Doctors scare me and I avoid them at all costs. Medical care is something I just can't afford. View All Results