By BRENDA OWEN

Pontotoc Progress

We asked for your “two-cents worth,” you gave it to us, and we appreciate it. Our community survey ran both in our newspaper and online during February and March, and 178 of you responded.

The survey requested your input on issues such as economic conditions, education, public safety, health care, recruitment of a Toyota supplier, city/county beautfication, affordable housing, government services and recreation and entertainment. The chart above shows how you, our readers, ranked the issues in order of importance to you.

Here is the information by percentage of votes on each individual category.

In coming weeks, we will be publishing a series of articles exploring each of these issues in depth.

#1. ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

How do you feel about local economic conditions in Pontotoc County? Are things better or worse than they were last year?

a. Better 28%

b. Worse 24%

c. About the same 45%

d. Not sure 3%

# 2. EDUCATION

How would you grade the quality of public schools in Pontotoc County?

a. Excellent 42%

b. Good 41%

c. OK 6%

d. Needs improvement 7%

e. Not sure /Don’t know 4%

# 3. PUBLIC SAFETY

Compared to two years ago, do you now feel safer or less safe in Pontotoc County?

a. Safer 24%

b. Less safe 25%

c. No change 48%

d. Not sure 3%

# 4. HEALTH CARE

How would you rate access to quality health care services?

a. Excellent 14%

b. Good 44%

c. OK 20%

d. Needs improvement 21%

e. Not sure 1%

# 5. RECRUITMENT OF A TOYOTA SUPPLIER

How important is it for Pontotoc County to recruit a Toyota supplier?

a. Very important 69%

b. Fairly important 18%

c. Slightly important 9%

d. Not important 3%

# 6. COUNTY/CITY BEAUTIFICATION

In terms of cleanliness and general attractiveness, how do you think Pontotoc County looks to visitors?

a. Very attractive 28%

b. Fairly attractive 47%

c. Slightly attractive 13%

d. Not attractive 11%

# 7. AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

How would you grade the availability of affordable housing in Pontotoc County?

a. Excellent 9%

b. Good 32%

c. OK 23%

d. Needs improvement 25%

e. Not sure 10%

# 8. GOVERNMENT SERVICES

How would you grade the overall quality of government services

provided in Pontotoc County?

a. Excellent 13%

b. Good 45%

c. OK 19%

d. Needs improvement 20%

e. Not sure 3%

# 9. RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

How would you grade the availability of parks and recreational

facilities in Pontotoc County?

a. Excellent 16%

b. Good 35%

c. OK 22%

d. Needs improvement 36%

e. Not sure 1%