Save the environment, fix the roads

By DAVID HULSE

MILFORD, PA — Pike County planners recently released the compiled results of a community survey done last summer in connection with the county’s ongoing creation of a new comprehensive plan.

Some 1,770 responses were received by planners from all 13 municipalities. Dingman Township residents provided almost 23 percent of the data, nearly twice that of any other municipality.

Some 88 percent of the survey came from year-round residents, 84 percent of whom said they owned from less than an acre of land to up to five acres. Most of the respondents, 82.7 percent were 45 years of age or older.

The largest percentage, 36 percent, said they came to Pike because of its natural environmental and 72 percent said the county has generally satisfied their expectations. Respondents ranked the county high for its environmental quality, rural atmosphere and quality of life, but gave proportionately low numbers for Pike’s job opportunities and job training. Services, such as daycare and higher education, were also ranked low, winning less than 25 percent approval. Less than 40 percent were satisfied with issues including access to work, county roads, traffic volume and tax rates, and 50 percent were satisfied with the county’s schools.

Asked about development, 67 percent said the county’s residential development has been excessive over the past 10 years.

Asked to look to the future, more than 90 percent wanted planning to preserve the environment, manage growth and improve roads.

Asked what they would pay more taxes for, more than 67 percent said better roads. Sixty percent supported environmental and farmland protection as well as increased public safety. Low scorers were improvements to downtown districts, attracting large employers and promoting economic development, all with less than 36 percent support.