Newspaper Page Text
Second Front
Chattooga County Survey Results
And Comments Bring Surprises
Chattooga County residents gave hi%h marks to a
majority of the 16 catesggries surveyed in last month’s
county rating by THE MMERVI{.LE NEWS.
Sixti-nine people responded to the survey, most of
whom lived outside municli&alities. Because we only
received few responses from Menlo, Lyerly and Trion city
residents, we decided to rate the county as a whole rather
than divide up each municipality.
The method of determimn%tf‘;e rating score was based
on the averaging technique. For instance, if 64 gersons
out of the 69 total respondants rated the roads, then the
total score for roads was divided by 64. If 68 out of 69
resg?nded to another category, then it was divided b% 68.
o employee of The Summerville News or sgy
Publishing Company, Inc., or any family member of the
emg!oyees. participated in the survey.
he following is a list of the categories, how they rated
and some of the responses to the category. ,
ROADS
The responders to the survey gave county roads the
15th lowest score out of the 16 categories. l%’oads got a
total score of 4.13 from the 69 persons that responded to
the survey.
Here are some of the comments:
“The roads are in the worst shape they have been in 20
years. The rigglt-of-way is never cut and if you complain to
the county, they suggest you do it yourself because they
have no funds.”” The person gave roads in Chattooga a flat
zero.
“The county’s roads are fair. Two main problems are
numerous lKot:holes. and the stretch of Hwy. 27 between
Summerville and Trion, which is not quite wide enough
for four lanes, but is wide enough for people to drive as
though it is four lanes. A few more stop signs in strategic
lsocatrons would be helpful.”” The person gave the roads a
“Pete Denson has been in office six years and two
months. The ditches on Dogwood Drive have not been
cleaned in this time except for about 50 feet on the left.”
The K;rson rated the roads a zero. i
“My main griEe is the roads. They are in awful shape.,
It seems all they know how to do is patch. It is also bad on
your car. The roads got a zero from the citizen.
“Our county roads are a disgrace. We need a new com
missioner.”” The Berryton resicfent rated the roads a 1.
“If our good road commissioner would keep his mind
on doing the job he was elected to do and stay out of other
affairs, this county would have much better roads. By the
way, what is all that good tax money from the sales of
beer being spent on? It’s sure not being spent on roads
and ditches.” The person rated the roads a 1 in the coun
ty,4in Summervillg? Bin Trion and 4 in Menlo and Lyerly.
“There are some roads in this county which are seldom
if ever patched or repaved because they are deadend roads
with less than 12 &milies living on them. Don’t these
families deserve some consideration from the road repair
crews — or is it only the rich families who can get tfieir
roads fixed so their cars aren’t ruined by rough roads?”’
The fierson rated the roads-a 1.
“Roads are fairlg decent except for the huge number of
dead animals which are never removed from the streets.
Kill the dog seems to be a favorite pasttime.’”’ The person
rated the roads a 6.
“My only complaint is the condition of Second Street
between River ams Wood Street and perhaps it is our-fault
for not callinfi it to the attention of our city council a year
or so ago.”’ The Summerville resident gave the roads an 8.
Another Summerville resident wrote, ‘“‘Roads: They
are improving.”’
Another resident wrote, ‘‘most of the county roads
where the rich l{)eople do not live need repairing.’
“Roads in the city are fair, but roads in the county are
in bad sha'Fe. They only get fixed when it is time for re
election.” The Ylerson gave roads a 1 in the county and an
8 in Summerville.
“We live in the lower end of the county next to the
Alabama line. We have never had our road worked
without asking.”” They gave the roads a 5.
“Old U. S. 27 is the worst county road — potholes,
humps, bumps, shoulder dropoff.” They gave roads an
overall score of 5.
“oOld Highway 27 north of Trion needs repairs in every
area. Not very much has been done since it became a coun
ty road.”
“Roads are too narrow. Repairs could be made more
promptly.”
SCHOOLS/QUALITY OF EDUCATION
Schools and the Quality of Education in Chattooga
County rated a 6.37 to be the eighth highest of the 16
catel_fories. There were 61 responses to the category.
ere are some of the comments:
““This is not a reflection on the teachers — they do well
with the materials offered. All the books we have seen
have been used 10 to 12 years and do not include the
latest. As an example, math does not even include the
metric system and it was not covered before high school.
Also would like to meet all the teachers at high school in
something like PTA or PTO.” The person rated the
schools a 4.
“Too much emphasis is put on sports and not enough
on the academic level.” The person rated the schools a 5.
“Our schools get a worse name each year instead of im
roving. From being an all-day %aby sitter our
Kindergarten has turned into, to a high school with a lot
less programs than other schools this size. Trion has a
much better school than we have judging from the
students at Trion. This has really been on my mind, as I
have a child entering kindergarten next fall.”” The person
gave the schools a 2.
“The school systems seem to be quite adequate.
However, more emphasis should be placed on individual
development and on the importance of further education
or training after high school. Perhaps by convincing
children that there are alternatives to marriage either dur
ing or immediately after high school, the county’s hi%h
divorce rate and unemployment rate might ultimately be
reduced.”” The person rated the school at 7.
“‘Schools seem to cater to the sports-minded and to the
so-called gifted classes. Did you know that if you were in a
gifted class in any other school you are never offered the
CHATTOOGA COUNTY RATING CARD
SCALEOF ITO 10
ROADS
413
SCHOOLS/QUALITY
OF EDUCATION
LIBRARY
8.01
? PARKS/
RECREATION
6.46
opportunity in Chattooga County? There are no sports
programs to speak of other than football.”” The person
rated the schools a 5.
“The schools need more emphasis on education and
less on sports and playing in general.”” The person rated
the schools a 3.
““We are not in favor of 5 year olds having to go to
kindergarten all day. Half-day sessions woulf be much
better. The Summerville Christian is doing a better job
than the other schools.” The person rated tfie schools a 6.
LIBRARY
The Chattooga County Library received the highest
rating of the 16 categories in the survey. Sixtg-six persons
gave the library a 8.01 rating out of a possible 10 score.
Here are some comments:
“The library could use more employees to helKlpeople
locate the books or information they are seeking. Also, the
current older employees could be friendlier to people who
go to the library for books or information on certain sub
jects.” The person gave the library a 7.
“Library — Poor selection and lousy hours.” The
respondant gave the library a 3.
‘For its size, Chattooga County'’s library is excellent
with a number of current books, including bestsellers. The
Books-by-Mail program is highly commendable.”” They
rated the library an 8.
“The library is very neat, clean and efficiently run but
so antiquated as far as their selection of books that it is
pathetic.”” They rated the library an 8.
“Library — Improving a lot.”” They gave the library an
8.
“We like the mail-a-book service the library provides.”
They rated the library a 7.
PARKS/RECREATION
The various Parks/Recreation organizations received a
6.46 rating from 67 respondants. The score was the
.seventh highest out of 16 categories.
Here are some of the comments: -
“The county needs more g‘arks and recreation areas for
the young people, also for the elderly and the handicap
ped.”’ They rated the parks a 5.
*“As for team placement on the small football teams it
is fine, but the little girls cheerleading in the Trion recrea
tion department is so expensive it has gotten completely
out of hand with each little girls having to spend at least
$30.” Thefi' rated %arks and recreation an 8.
‘“Excellent facilities are a waste of money when they
are glot used that much.” They rated parks and recreation
an 8.
“It is my understanding that, in general, the primary
concern in the children’s recreation programs is with win
ning, rather than with teaching such desirable qualities as
good sportsmanship and team ?:lrticipation. I have talked
to a number of parents whose children were rarely allowed
to plafi' on their teams because theK were not as athletical
ly inclined as their teammates.”” They rated the parks and
recreation a 1.
‘“‘Parks are very good but unused. Other recreation is
non-existent, unless you consider our children sitting on
PUBLIC
FACILITIES
5.12
| GAS/WATER
SERVICE
6.89
PHONE
SERVICE
7.38
SHOPPING ‘
FACILITIES
5.20
Che Summeruville N ews
HOSPITAL/
PUBLIC HEALTH
LAW
ENFORCEMENT
FIRE
PROTECTION
LOCAL |
NEWSPAPER
7.69
bumpers on the street smoking pot recreation.” They
rater? parks a 9.
“Parks-Recreation — Offers absolutely nothing.”
They gave parks a 2.
“Recreation — We don’t have enough different pro
grams for our children.”” They gave parks and recreation a
4.
PUBLIC FACILITIES
Public facilities received a 5.12 rating from 65 persons
who responded to the category.
Here are some comments:
“Public facilities: There are none for the county as far
as I know.”’ They rated the category a zero.
" “Public facilities — Are there any?”’ They gave the
category a 1.
GAS-WATER SERVICE
Gas and Water services received a 6.89 rating from 57
persons who responded to the category.
Here are some comments:
“Water pressure to low Kear round and doesn't exist in
the summer.”” They gave the category a 5.
“Water service on Chattooga County Water District 1
costs too much — $8 for the first 2,000 gallons. There are
many leaks in the main lines that sometimes run for mon
ths. Gas service is good.” They gave a 3 to the category.
“The gas and water service is about average. But the
%as prices are outrageous for the city of Summerville,”
hey gave a 4 to the services. :
“Gas-Water Service — Have always given us good ser
vice.” The person gave a 9 to the services.
“The gas and water prices are too high now.” They
gave the category a 2.
“We need better water service down the Lyerly
Highway.’ Certain times of the day there’s no pressure at
all.” They gave the category an 8.
“We are on the Lgverly Water System. We have always
gotten very fast and friendly service whenever we h,ady a
problem.”” They gave an 8 to the category.
“Gas System — Bills so high some of us won'’t be able
to use gas if it goes higher. All calls answered promptly
when service is needed.”’
i “Water on District 1 is much higher than anywhere
else.”
“In our area, the water occasionally goes off with no
previous warnin%, though the problem has improved
recently. I would like to see flouride added to the water.”
They gave a 6 to the category. .
PHONE SERVICE
Chattooga County’s GTE phone service received the
third highest score in the rating with a 7.38 from 68 per
sons who responded to the category.
Some comments:
“The deposit and installation cha;ges are so high that
the elderly and phgsically handicafip who are on a once
a-month check and really need a phone for health reasons
LOCAL
RADIO
LOCAL
CABLE
CITY/COUNTY
GOVERNMENT
OVERALL QUALITY
OF LIFE
6.00
@ Rating Above 5.50
@ Rating Below 5.50
can't afford to have a phone put in. They gave the
categry al.
“‘Service personnel respond promptly when our line is
out. We have trouble on long distance calls into Alabama.
A busy signal comes on when the party answers.”” They
gave a 7 to the phone company.
‘‘So much static on line it is impossible to hear speaker
at times.”” They gave the service a 5.
“Although the system is basically adequate, the lines
between Summervr.fi'e' and Trion are occasionally out of
order. The number of wron‘f numbers that call our house
is astounding; I must wonder if this county has a higher
average of careless people, or if there is a Haw in the cir
cuits of General Telephone. Manatgnement, in carrying out
their policies, are inflexible to the point of being un
cooperative.” They gave the phone service a 6.
SHOPPING FACILITIES
The county’s sh(:fiping facilities received a 5.20
average to be 10th on the list of 16 categories. Sixty-eight
peop[le responded to the category.
ere are some comments:
“Shoning facilities — Definitely one of the weakest
points of this area. I have spent many frustrating hours
searching for even the simplest items. An honest-to
goodness department store would be a marvelous addition
to the countK. as would be a well-stocked variety store.”
They fiave 8 oning a 1 in Chattooga County.
. <’)fili)ing acilities that we have are nice, but we need
more.”” The person gave a 3 to the category.
“Our stores don’t have enough f;'omotlons and sales.
I'm sure sales for them have been slow with the economy
down, but I can go to Rome or Rossville shgfi?ing and get
better buys even counting my gas there.” They gave the
category a 2.
‘“‘Shoppers have to go to Rome or Chattanooga to find
some items.”’ They rated the facilities a 5.
“Not a Ewd enough selection on some items. P?;Yle
not given the opportunity to buy at manufacturer’s sales
prices as in other cities. Grocery stores about in line with
other areas.” They rated shopping a 5.
“We would like to see some fabric shzs in Summer
ville and Trion.” They gave shopping in Chattooga Coun
ty a 4.
HOSPITAL/PUBLIC HEALTH
Chattooga County’s hospital and public health depart
ment received the lowest score in the 16 categories
surveyed. Sixty-eight persons gave the institutions a 3.98
rating out of 10.
Some comments:
“The hospital is about as good as our shopgi;ldg
facilities. The building is falling apart, the service is :
medical attention-treatment rates a zero and chances of
improvement is nil since no new doctors will even locate
here and Floyd Medical Center continues to control Sum
merville’s hospital.” Th:egerson gave the category a 1.
‘““More doctors are needed for our area. It's a long way
to Rome or Chattanooga when one needs to visit a
doctor.” T?:.ly gave the category a 2.
“Hospital — Ha! What can you say? Like the old say
ing glgfis, ‘lf you want to die, go to this hospital.” ’
“This is another sore spot. I think quite a few people
are upset over the Health Department’s handling of the
meningitis cases. Apparently, there have been few, if any,
preventative or testing measures.”” They gave a 1 to the
catei(;ry.
‘“Hospital —the nursing staff is good. They have very
unfair employment practices for the good office positions.
They will not even take your application unless you are a
relative of theirs. Check and see how manf' times people
were told there were no jobs and when a relative returned
from out-of-town, they were hired. Everfi'one with a good
job is related to the boss.” They gave the category a 5.
‘“Someone really should burn the building we call a
hospital. This is nothing but a clearing station for the peo
rle who have money to be moved to Floyd Hospital. So
ong as the Floyd Hospital has any control over our
hospital, we have neither improved facilities or new doc
tors.”” They rated the category a 1.
“Public Health — Same as the hospital.”” The person
gave the category a zero.
“The hospital needs to have more laboratory
facilities.”” The person rated the hospitals and public
health a 6.
“The hospital needs more laborator;i‘ facilities and,
more facilities for caring for babies.”” They rated the
cateizry a 4.
‘“More doctors are needed. A lot of us must go to Rome
or LaFayette for treatment.” They rated the category a 5.
‘““Hospital/Public Health — We believe that these two
should be rated separately. The hospital is not very well
equipped. For anything major, you must go to a bigger,
see SURVEY, page 9-B
THE SCORES ON A SCALE OF 1-10
LLibreey . 0. ..l RO B
R ONNIBRY . i i eis e s R
SPDRIION . . s e
4. PireProtection .11. . .... ... vl aa ¥
b.LawEnforcoment .......... .4 .... .49
6. Gas/Water5ervice..................6.89
7. Parks/Recreation ...................6.46
8. Schools/Quality of Education .........6.37
9. Overall Quality of Lifein C0unty.........6
10. Shopping Facilities ................5.20
1. PolicEaciltiee . . ... .. hs R
DRI i . b s e R
15 CTN. ... e o e
14. City/County Government . ..........4.30
IR . A
16. Hospital/Public Health .. . . .........3:98