Business survey draws disappointing response
A city-paid survey of local business owners drew a disappointingly small 30 responses, “a sign of the overall apathy that is exhibited within the business community,” said Jim Resha and Heather Francine in a March 16 report to the City Council.
The survey was one task in a $20,000 contract with the Chamber of Commerce and Resha and Francine’s Integrity Commercial Brokerage. The pact was called “a first step in developing a multi-phased economic development strategy and marketing plan for the city” by Community Development Director Steve Harris when approved 4-1 in 2009.
Other contracted tasks include compiling a retail and office property database, preparing promotion and marketing materials for the properties and developing strategies to attract new businesses and retain and expand existing businesses.
Resha said a notice was mailed to 600 businesses, directing them to 13 questions on the city’s Web site. The survey also was publicized at council meetings, in news articles and on blogs. The city has 2,559 active business licenses, including 1,356 residential permits.
Resha and Francine’s report continued: “This perceived apathy is unfortunate,” since the survey “provided a convenient and anonymous opportunity to influence change.” But the information gathered “was helpful.”
“Signage continues to be an issue,” stated the report, which noted, “The perceived lack of support from various levels of city staff as well as council is a common theme throughout the survey results. An honest evaluation is necessary for Yorba Linda to reinvent…based on a reputation that has surpassed this survey.”
One interesting survey response: “There is an anti-business small but vocal group…who has the naïve and destructive attitude that Yorba Linda can exist without business—they want no development.”
And another response: “Please stop pursuing a downtown redevelopment plan that is unrealistic and unbelievably expensive. ...Do we really think a fair amount of citizens would support this? … Stop the silly spending! Exercise some fiscal responsibility.”
A FINAL NOTE
Is five-time Mayor Hank Wedaa planning a run for the top job in Anaheim? “No,” says the 30-year City Council veteran, explaining his Parkinson’s disease is forcing him to relocate to the Canyon Hills Club retirement community.
The 45-year resident is taking 7,000 of an 11,000-book collection with him but disposing of the rest, including donating 700 rare aviation volumes worth $18,000 to the San Diego Aerospace Museum. Wedaa flew in 30 missions over Europe as a WWII bombardier.
Wedaa’s not very happy about his upcoming move to Anaheim: “I like it here. I spent many years helping build the great city we have, but now I’m forced to move.” Wedaa was elected to the second council in 1970, when the population was 6,500, and finished his last of three stints in 2008, with the count exceeding 65,000.
The survey was one task in a $20,000 contract with the Chamber of Commerce and Resha and Francine’s Integrity Commercial Brokerage. The pact was called “a first step in developing a multi-phased economic development strategy and marketing plan for the city” by Community Development Director Steve Harris when approved 4-1 in 2009.
Other contracted tasks include compiling a retail and office property database, preparing promotion and marketing materials for the properties and developing strategies to attract new businesses and retain and expand existing businesses.
Resha said a notice was mailed to 600 businesses, directing them to 13 questions on the city’s Web site. The survey also was publicized at council meetings, in news articles and on blogs. The city has 2,559 active business licenses, including 1,356 residential permits.
Resha and Francine’s report continued: “This perceived apathy is unfortunate,” since the survey “provided a convenient and anonymous opportunity to influence change.” But the information gathered “was helpful.”
“Signage continues to be an issue,” stated the report, which noted, “The perceived lack of support from various levels of city staff as well as council is a common theme throughout the survey results. An honest evaluation is necessary for Yorba Linda to reinvent…based on a reputation that has surpassed this survey.”
One interesting survey response: “There is an anti-business small but vocal group…who has the naïve and destructive attitude that Yorba Linda can exist without business—they want no development.”
And another response: “Please stop pursuing a downtown redevelopment plan that is unrealistic and unbelievably expensive. ...Do we really think a fair amount of citizens would support this? … Stop the silly spending! Exercise some fiscal responsibility.”
A FINAL NOTE
Is five-time Mayor Hank Wedaa planning a run for the top job in Anaheim? “No,” says the 30-year City Council veteran, explaining his Parkinson’s disease is forcing him to relocate to the Canyon Hills Club retirement community.
The 45-year resident is taking 7,000 of an 11,000-book collection with him but disposing of the rest, including donating 700 rare aviation volumes worth $18,000 to the San Diego Aerospace Museum. Wedaa flew in 30 missions over Europe as a WWII bombardier.
Wedaa’s not very happy about his upcoming move to Anaheim: “I like it here. I spent many years helping build the great city we have, but now I’m forced to move.” Wedaa was elected to the second council in 1970, when the population was 6,500, and finished his last of three stints in 2008, with the count exceeding 65,000.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
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