We are calling residents in this area whose phone numbers were randomly
selected. This survey is about life in the Cape Fear Area. Your answers
are confidential. The survey will take about 15 minutes.
<1> ELIGIBLE AND WILLING RESPONDENT <2> REFUSED TO BE
INTERVIEWED
<3> INELIGIBLE PERSON: <4> INELIGIBLE NUMBER:
- UNDERAGE - BUSINESS OR INSTITUTIONAL #
- LANGUAGE PROBLEM
- HEARING PROBLEM - PHONE BOOTH
In this survey our questions are about the coastal Cape Fear area. By
the coastal Cape Fear area we mean the coastal counties of Pender, New
Hanover, and Brunswick.
Is this residence located in
(1) New Hanover,
(2) Pender,
(3) or Brunswick county?
<4> Some other location
<99> Don't know
Is this residence located
(1) in the city of Wilmington,
(2) in the town of Wrightsville Beach,
(3) on Pleasure Island (Carolina, Kure or Wilmington Beaches),
(4) or in some other part of New Hanover county?
<99> Don't know
Do you own or rent your apartment or house?
(1) Own
(2) Rent
<99> Refused to answer
Are you a year-round resident in the coastal Cape Fear area?
(1) yes
(2) no
<99> Don't Know
How long have you lived in this area?
<< __ __ Enter the number of years >>
<< Enter 0 if less than 1 year >>
<< Enter 99 if 99 years or more >>
<< Enter 9999 if Don't know or refused >>
How long have you been coming here as a seasonal resident?
<< __ __ Enter the number of years >>
<< Enter 0 if less than 1 year >>
<< Enter 99 if 99 years or more >>
<< Enter 9999 if Don't know or refused >>
Overall, How satisfied are you with life in the Coastal Cape
Fear area -->
(1) Very satisfied
(2) Satisfied
(3) Dissatisfied, or
(4) Very dissatisfied?
<99> Don't know/noanswer
What do you think is the most important problem facing the area?
<10> Crime- general reference <20> Education- general reference
<11> Drugs <21> Need new schools
<12> Violence <22> School repairs
<13> Youth gangs <23> Student achievement/scores
<14> Other crime <24> Other education
<30> Traffic- general reference <40> Development- general reference
<31> Congestion <41> Drainage problems
<32> Stop lights <42> Zoning enforcement
<33> College Rd/Oleander/Market <43> Crowding/population
<34> Other traffic <44> Lack of planning
<50> Environment- general reference
<51> Loss of trees/habitat <54> Dirty ocean /water
<52> Hog farms <55> Sewage/septic systems
<53> Pfeisteria/red tide <56> Other environment
<60> Politics <70> Other
<99> Don't know/no answer
Thinking back over the last five years, would you say that life in the
Cape Fear area has become -->
(1) Better,
(2) Worse, or
(3) It hasn't changed very much?
<99> Don't know/No answer
Thinking ahead over the next five years, do you think that life in the
Cape Fear area will become -->
(1) Better,
(2) Worse, or
(3) won't change very much?
<99> Don't know/No answer
The next few questions are about your use of the outdoors, including the
ocean and the waterways. During the past summer, did you swim, waterski,
or windsurf in the coastal Cape Fear area -->
(1) More than once a week,
(2) About once a week,
(3) 2 or three times a month,
(4) once a month,
(5) or less than once a month?
<6> not a user -- (i.e. didn't swim etc.)
<99> not sure
In the past summer, did you go boating in the coastal Cape
Fear area-->
(1) More than once a week,
(2) About once a week,
(3) 2 or three times a month,
(4) once a month,
(5) or less than once a month?
<6> not a user -- (I.e. didn't boat)
<99> not sure
How about watching birds or observing other wild creatures in the
coastal Cape Fear area -->
(1) More than once a week,
(2) About once a week,
(3) 2 or three times a month,
(4) once a month,
(5) or less than once a month?
(if asked, this does not include just watching birds in the backyard)
<6> not a user -- (i.e. didn't bird)
<99> not sure
When you were observing birds or other wild creatures, were you
(1) just watching around your home,
(2) watching at a place other than your home,
(3) or, did you do some of both?
<99> Don't know/no answer
During the past year, did you ever attend a performance or other event
at Thalian Hall?
<1> Yes
<2> No
<99> No answer/not sure
Are you planning to develop hobbies or other leisure activies?
<1> Yes
<2> No
<3> If volunteered- already done this
<99> No answer/not sure
Now I am going to read you a number of concerns that some people
have expressed about the quality of life in the coastal Cape Fear area.
Please tell me if you think each of these is a critical problem,
a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, or
not a problem at all.
First, controlling traffic congestion. Do you think this is -->
(1) a critical problem,
(2) a very serious problem,
(3) a somewhat serious problem,
(4) or not a problem at all?
<99> don't know
Not enough good jobs to keep young people here. Do you think
this is -->
(1) a critical problem,
(2) a very serious problem,
(3) a somewhat serious problem,
(4) or not a problem at all?
<99> don't know
Population growth -->
(1) a critical problem,
(2) a very serious problem,
(3) a somewhat serious problem,
(4) or not a problem at all?
<99> don't know
Maintaining the supply of clean drinking water -->
(1) a critical problem,
(2) a very serious problem,
(3) a somewhat serious problem,
(4) or not a problem at all?
<99> don't know
High cost of housing -->
(1) a critical problem,
(2) a very serious problem,
(3) a somewhat serious problem,
(4) or not a problem at all?
<99> don't know
Loss of natural areas and open spaces -->
(1) a critical problem,
(2) a very serious problem,
(3) a somewhat serious problem,
(4) or not a problem at all?
<99> don't know
Maintaining the health of the ocean and waterways -->
(1) a critical problem,
(2) a very serious problem,
(3) a somewhat serious problem,
(4) or not a problem at all?
<99> don't know
Adequate treatment of sewage -->
(1) a critical problem,
(2) a very serious problem,
(3) a somewhat serious problem,
(4) or not a problem at all?
<99> don't know
Public education -->
(1) a critical problem,
(2) a very serious problem,
(3) a somewhat serious problem,
(4) or not a problem at all?
<99> don't know
Zoning to control growth -->
(1) a critical problem,
(2) a very serious problem,
(3) a somewhat serious problem,
(4) or not a problem at all?
<99> don't know
Local health services -->
(1) a critical problem,
(2) a very serious problem,
(3) a somewhat serious problem,
(4) or not a problem at all?
<99> don't know
Continuing to think about health services in this area, in the last five
years have you or anyone in your immediate family received treatment
through the New Hanover Regional Medical Center?
<1> yes
<2> no
<99> Don't know
Would you say that your experience was
(1) very satisfactory,
(2) satisfactory,
(3) unsatisfactory,
(4) or very unsatisfactory?
<99> Don't know
In the last five years, have you or anyone in your immediate family
used the maternity services available at the New Hanover Regional
Medical Center?
<1> Yes
<2> No
<99> Don't know
Do you agree or disagree with this statement: New Hanover Regional
Medical Center provides sufficient maternity services for this county.
(1) Agree or
(2) Disagree?
<99> Don't know
Do you agree or disagree with this statement: This community needs a
freestanding, homelike facility with access to the hospital as an option
for families giving birth.
(1) Agree or
(2) Disagree?
<99> Don't know
Now, how about Crime is that -->
(1) a critical problem,
(2) a very serious problem,
(3) a somewhat serious problem,
(4) or not a problem at all?
<99> don't know
In the past year has crime in your neighborhood -->
(1) gone up,
(2) gone down, or
(3) remained about the same?
<99> don't know
Have you ever carried a gun for protection?
<1> Yes
<2> No
<99> Don't know
Have you ever been threatened with a gun?
<1> Yes
<2> No
<99> Don't know
Now, I'm going to read you a series of statements.
Please tell me which statement is closest to your opinion.
(1) First, the coastal Cape Fear area needs more development, or
[ SHORT PAUSE]
(2) There is already too much development in the coastal
Cape Fear area.
<3> Depends on type of development
<4> Both
<5> Neither
<99> don't know
Which one of the next three statements is closest to your opinion-->
(1) We need stricter environmental regulations, even if these
regulations cost jobs, or
(2) Our environmental regulations are good as they are now, or
(3) Our environmental regulations are too strict and
an unnecessary burden to business and industry.
<4> Depends on type of development
<5> R says Both or All Three
<6> Some should be stricter, others less strict
<99> don't know
Do you think the current laws and regulations designed
to protect wetlands are
(1) too strict
(2) about right, or
(3) not strict enough?
<99> don't know
Do you think the current laws and regulations designed
to control water pollution are
(1) too strict
(2) about right, or
(3) not strict enough?
<99> don't know
Do you think the current laws and regulations designed
to control development are
(1) too strict
(2) about right, or
(3) not strict enough?
<99> don't know
And now I have some questions about your views of local government.
As sources of information, how much trust do you have in
Wilmington officials?
(1) A great deal of trust,
(2) some trust,
(3) not much trust,
(4) or none at all?
<99> don't know
Overall, how would you rate the quality of services provided
by Wilmington?
(1) Excellent
(2) Good
(3) Fair
(4) Very poor
<99> Don't know
Using a scale of from one to ten, with one being the least and
ten being the most, please rate your confidence level in how wisely
your tax dollars are spent by Wilmington officials.
Enter a single whole number from 1 to 10.
<99> Don't know
And now I have some questions about your views of local government.
As sources of information, how much trust do you have in
Wrightsville Beach officials?
(1) A great deal of trust,
(2) some trust,
(3) not much trust,
(4) or none at all?
<99> don't know
Overall, how would you rate the quality of services provided
by Wrightsville Beach?
(1) Excellent
(2) Good
(3) Fair
(4) Very poor
<99> Don't know
Using a scale of from one to ten, with one being the least and
ten being the most, please rate your confidence level in how
wisely your tax dollars are spent by Wrightsville Beach officials.
Enter a single whole number from 1 to 10.
<99> Don't know
And now I have some questions about your views of local government.
As sources of information, how much trust do you have in your
town officials?
(1) A great deal of trust,
(2) some trust,
(3) not much trust,
(4) or none at all?
<99> don't know
Overall, how would you rate the quality of services provided by
your town?
(1) Excellent
(2) Good
(3) Fair
(4) Very poor
<99> Don't know
Using a scale of from one to ten, with one being the least and
ten being the most, please rate your confidence level in how
wisely your tax dollars are spent by your town officials.
Enter a single whole number from 1 to 10.
<99> Don't know
As sources of information, how much trust do you have in the
county commissioners?
(1) A great deal of trust,
(2) some trust,
(3) not much trust,
(4) or none at all?
<99> don't know
Using a scale of from one to ten, with one being the least and
ten being the most, please rate your confidence level in how
wisely your tax dollars are spent by New Hanover County officials.
Enter a single whole number from 1 to 10.
<99> Don't know
As a source of information, how much trust do you have in the
Wilmington Star-News?
(1) A great deal of trust,
(2) some trust,
(3) not much trust,
(4) or none at all?
<99> don't know
As a source of information, how much trust do you have in
W E C T , tv channel six?
(1) A great deal of trust,
(2) some trust,
(3) not much trust,
(4) or none at all?
<99> don't know
As a source of information, how much trust do you have in
W W A Y tv channel 3?
(1) A great deal of trust,
(2) some trust,
(3) not much trust,
(4) or none at all?
<99> don't know
As a source of information, how much trust do you have in
U N C W?
(1) A great deal of trust,
(2) some trust,
(3) not much trust,
(4) or none at all?
<99> don't know
During the past five years, several areas in the county have been annexed
into the city of wilmington. I want to ask you about your views on this
policy of annexation.
Which of the alternatives I will read best fits your view. Have you
(1) strongly favored the policy of annexation,
(2) favored the policy,
(3) opposed the policy, or
(4) strongly opposed the policy?
<5> No opinion
<99> Don't know.
Several times over the years, the New Hanover County Commissioners and
the Wilmington City Council have considered merging or consolidating
their two governments into one.
Do you recall hearing any of this discussion?
<1> Yes
<2> No
<99> Don't know
Based on what you have heard to this point,
if that proposal were on the ballot today,
would you vote?
<1> for,
<2> or against consolidation?
<3> Not sure
<99> Don't know
Assume the government of Wilmington and New Hanover County were consolidated.
I want to ask you some questions about taxes, the cost of government, and
efficiency.
First, do you think consolidation would
(1) increase your property taxes,
(2) decrease your property taxes, or
(3) or make no difference in your property taxes?
<99> Don't know
Do you think consolidation would make government operations
(1) cost more,
(2) cost less,
(3) or make no difference in the cost of government?
<99> Don't know
Do you agree or disagree with the following statements:
Further development, both residential and commercial, along the ocean
or shoreline of the coastal Cape Fear area should be prohibited.
(1) Agree
(2) or disagree?
<99> Don't know
Town and city officials are doing a good job protecting the
quality of life in the coastal Cape Fear area.
(1) Agree
(2) or disagree?
<99> Don't know
Would you say that local government is
(1) pretty much run by a few special interests looking out for
themselves
(2) or, that it is run for the benefit of all the people?
<99> Don't know/ no answer
There has been a lively debate in the last few years about whether
or not downtown Wilmington needs a new convention center. Do you
think a new convention center is
(1) an excellent idea,
(2) a good idea,
(3) not a good idea,
(4) or a terrible idea?
<99> Don't know
Assuming that the community supported a convention center, which
of the following financial approaches would you recommend?
(1) joint public and private funding,
(2) completely private funding, or
(3) completely public funding?
<4> Some other approach not listed
<99> Don't know
If it were decided that some public funding would come from increases
of taxes, which of the following would you prefer to see used?
(1) A hotel occupancy tax in all hotels in the county,
(2) an additional sales tax in resturants in the county,
(3) an increase in the property tax in the county,
(4) or a special tax levied only on property in the downtown area?
<5> Some combination
<6> An approach that is not listed
<99> Don't know
Now I have just a few final questions so we can make comparisons
among all the people in our survey.
In what year were you born?
<< __ __ Enter the last two years of the year of birth >>
<< Enter 9999 if Don't know or refused >>
Were any of your grandparents born in New Hanover county?
<1> Yes
<2> No
<99> Don't know no answer
Were either of your parents born in New Hanover county?
<1> Yes
<2> No
<99> Don't know no answer
Some people think of themselves as southerners, others do not.
How about you? Would you say that you are a
(1) southerner
(2) or not?
<99> Don't know/ refused
Are you presently employed?
(1) Yes
(2) No
<3> Refused to answer
Are you retired?
(1) Yes
(2) No
<3> Refused to answer
<99> Don't know
Are you currently looking for work outside the home?
<1> Yes
<2> No
<99> No answer/not sure
Which of the following includes the highest level of
formal education that you have completed -->
(1) high school or less education
(2) some college or technical school after high school
(3) a four year college degree
(4) or, some education beyond a four year college degree?
<99>
Was the institution you received your four year degree from
(1) Public, or
(2) Private?
<3> Can't recall/not sure
<99> Don't know
How would you rate your health at the present time.
Would you say it is
(1) Excellent,
(2) Good,
(3) Only fair, or
(4) Poor?
<5> Refused
<99> Don't know
Which of the following racial or ethnic groups would you say
includes you -->
(1) black or African-american
(2) white American
(3) American Indian, or
(4) another race or ethnic group?
<99> Don't know
Are you curently -->
(1) married,
(2) widowed,
(3) divorced,
(4) separated, or
(5) have you never been married?
<99> Don't know/no answer
Would you describe yourself politically as -->
(1) very liberal
(2) somewhat liberal
(3) somewhat conservative
(4) or, very conservative?
<5> Middle of Road /Moderate<>
<99> Don't know, no answer
Would you say that you have been born again or have had a born again
experience, that is, a turning point in your life when you committed
yourself to Christ?
<1> Yes
<2> No
<99> Don't know/no answer
Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat,
an independent, or what?
<1> Republican
<2> Democrat
<3> Independent
<4> Other party (i.e. a "what")
<99> Don't know/no answer
Please tell me if you agree or disagree with each of the following
statements: When I make plans, I am almost certain that I can make
them work.
(1) Agree, or
(2) Disagree?
<99> Don't know, no answer
Many times I feel that I have little influence over the things
that happen to me.
(1) Agree, or
(2) Disagree?
<99> Don't know, no answer
I am going to read you a list of income groups. Please stop me
when I get to the group that includes your total household
income before taxes last year -->
(1) Under $10,000
(2) $10,000 to $20,000
(3) $20,000 to $30,000
(4) $30,000 to $40,000
(5) $40,000 to $50,000
(6) $50,000 to $60,000
(7) $60,000 to $70,000
(8) $70,000 to $80,000
(9) $80,000 to $90,000
(10) $90,000 to $100,000
(11) Over $100,000
<12> refused
<99> Don't know
How many children under the age of 16 live at this residence?
< Enter the number of children >
<99> Don't konw/no answer
Finally, our instructions are to ask each person we talk to if they are
(1) a Male
(2) or a Female
<3> refused
<99> Don't know
That is all the questions we have tonight. Thank you for your time
and cooperation.
Evaluate overall how well this interview went:
(1) Went very well- respondent was friendly, willing
to answer questions, cooperative, I enjoyed the interview
(2) Went well- respondent usually paid attention to my questions,
seemed to understand what was being asked, seemed sure of the
responses, business-like, matter-of-fact
(3) Went poorly- respondent didn't seem to be paying attention
to me and I had to repeat my questions, didn't understand some of
the questions, seemed unsure of how to respond