1 in 4 rate Davidson's direction "poor"

On Sunday, aShortChronicle told readers about the summary results of the latest National Citizen Survey, but the details behind those results were not made available.  We know of at least one citizen in addition to this blog who made an official request for those results, and on Monday they were posted.

The trending results for Davidson Town Hall are...not...good.

Yes, those results are still generally positive, but the trend certainly is not.  The below pictures show the results from the new 2017 report and from the previous 2014 report.

2017 NCS Davidson Govt Scores

2014 NCS Davidson Govt Scores

Barely half, 52% now think the Town is moving in the right direction.  That score is down a whopping 26 points in just three years, and is the lowest score since Davidson first did the NCS in 2007.  The number rating the Town direction as "poor" quadrupled from just 6% in 2014 to 24% in 2017.

When 1 in 4 think Davidson is headed in a "poor" direction, something has gone terribly off track.  However, the answer as to "why" is not hard to find.  One just has to look at the Town's actions since 2014.

1. The Catalyst Project - This Town Hall creation was one of the most unpopular ideas seen in decades.  It generated intense public opposition that resulted in the idea being jettisoned.

2. 6-story Exit 30 Hotel next to CSD - Not squashing this proposal out of the gate when that was 100% within the Board's control appears as tacit approval by the Board to put a hotel next to an elementary school.

3. I77 HOT Lanes - Davidson's Board passed by far the weakest resolutions against this controversial project of all North Meck towns.  The Board also did nothing to Mayor Woods when he sabotaged efforts to stop the project.

4. RAP Rezoning - Davidson's Board ignored a petition with over 700 signatures against this mass rezoning in the Rural Area before circling the wagons and passing it.

5. Conflicts of Interest - Repeatedly, when potential conflicts arise this Board tends to look for the loophole, rather than the reason someone should not vote on an issue.

6. Beaty Street Development - Town Hall has pushed heavy, high-density development of this last remaining significant open space in the town center.

7. Public Facilities Costs - Letting voters decide on a $17 million expansion of Town Hall and public facilities is said to be "not recommended" by the town manager.  This has not been refuted by any elected official.

All of these topics have been covered extensively here at aShortChronicle over the past three years.  So, it is not surprising to see discontent reflected in the NCS survey numbers.

For electeds intending to seek reelection however, this is definitely not the trend one wants to see in an election year.  At this point, Mayor Woods is the only elected official to announce his reelection intent.  The Commissioners have all remained mum on their intentions to date.

One can be sure that stopping the bleeding and reversing this downward trend will be a major election year issue.