Monday, January 7, 2008

Horizons Community 2007 Final Survey Report for Northport

This survey was prepared and administered by Horizons Project participants (WSU Extension, Community Coaches). Completed questionnaires were presented to the Division of Governmental Studies and Services for data entry, data analysis, and preparation of reports. The discussion in this report is based upon analysis of data and comments from completed questionnaires received as of October 25th, 2007. Completed, usable survey questionnaires are still being received at the time this report is being prepared but cannot be incorporated given time constraints. The numbers and percentages reported below will undoubtedly change in small measure with the inclusion of those additional survey data.

The figures reported in tabular form below represent summary statistics from all adult respondents to the Horizons survey as of October 28th on the closed-ended questions in that questionnaire. A brief discussion of themes identified from content analysis of responses to open-ended questions and comments with illustrative examples follows these tables. Given the size of community involved in the Horizons project and the number of respondents per community, caution is urged in interpreting these results. At the aggregate level – dealing with all of the approximately 4,400 valid responses received to date, statistical confidence rests at less than the +/-3% margin of error level. For a community population of up to 5,000, analysis of responses from the number of questionnaires actually received from each community yields a confidence level of between +/-5% and +/-10%. At the level of individual communities such as this one, that confidence level is reduced somewhat. For Northport, this means that the margin of error, with 91 respondents is in the neighborhood of +/-9%. Data from this survey should be interpreted with that caveat in mind.

The tables below should be examined at three levels. First, actual number of respondents giving the specified response are listed in the column labeled “Number.” Second, the percentage of total valid responses represented by that number is given in the column labeled “Valid Percent.” Third – for several of these tables – DGSS has provided for comparison purposes the corresponding percentage from the Horizons survey respondents analyzed as a whole – so that each community may see its responses on those questions compared to the Horizons community responses across the state. This column is labeled “Horizons Project Norm.” The appropriate columns are shaded to make them easier to identify.

Q2 DO YOU FEEL THE AREA WHERE YOU LIVE IS MORE OF A "REAL HOME" OR "JUST A PLACE TO LIVE"?

Number
Percent
Valid Percent
Horizons Project Norm

REAL HOME
81
89.0
93.1
81.4

JUST A PLACE TO LIVE
6
6.6
6.9
18.6

Total
87
95.6
100.0
100.0

No Response
4
4.4


Total
91
100.0


The numbers and percentages reported above indicate that (with a margin of error of about +/-9%) a vast majority of the people in this community view it as a real home (93.1%) rather than just a place to live. The right-most column allows comparison on this question to the responses from all Horizons survey participants, analyzed as a whole. This table provides a quick visual, which reveals that Northport is above the norm with regard to how respondents feel about the area where they live.

Q1 WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE AREA WHERE YOU LIVE AS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE MOSTLY HELP ONE ANOTHER, OR A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE MOSTLY GO THEIR OWN WAY?

Number
Percent
Valid Percent
Horizons Project Norm

PEOPLE HELP ONE ANOTHER
70
76.9
82.4
74.8

PEOPLE GO THEIR OWN WAY
15
16.5
17.6
25.2

Total
85
93.4
100.0
100.0

No Response
6
6.6


Total
91
100.0



This question, in common with the preceding and following questions, seeks to ascertain how people generally view their communities. These three indicators (“Real Home,” “Help One Another” and “Community Satisfaction” together give a useful, if rough, picture of important elements of Social Capital in a community. The higher the ratings on these three questions, the generally healthier a community is in terms of social capital. The table above tells us that a majority (82.4% +/- about 9%) of the respondents from this community see this as a place where people help each other. The right two columns allow comparison of the community responses (“Valid Percent”) to the overall Horizons response pattern (“Horizons Project Norm”). Northport’s responses are again above the ‘norm’ on this issue.

Q3 OVERALL, HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH YOUR COMMUNITY AS A PLACE TO LIVE?

Number
Percent
Valid Percent
Horizons Project Norm

VERY SATISFIED
21
23.1
24.4
25.8

SATISFIED
33
36.3
38.4
40.4

SOMEWHAT SATISFIED
28
30.8
32.6
26.9

DISSATISFIED
4
4.4
4.7
4.7

VERY DISSATISFIED
0
0
0
2.2

Total
86
94.5
100.0
100.00

No Response
5
5.5


Total
91
100.0



This question is calculated to assess general satisfaction with the community. Again, within the margin of error for this statistically small number of responses, the figures reported indicate satisfaction with the community – with most respondents claiming some level of satisfaction (95.4%) and no respondents claiming to be ‘very dissatisfied’.



Q6 HOW WILLING ARE YOU TO HELP HORIZONS IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN YOUR COMMUNITY FOR EXAMPLE, GO TO MEETINGS OR MAKE PHONE CALLS TO FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS?

Number
Percent
Valid Percent
Horizons Project Norm

VERY WILLING
18
19.8
22.0
10.3

WILLING
30
33.0
36.6
37.6

NEITHER WILLING OR UNWILLING
29
31.9
35.4
39.1

UNWILLING
4
4.4
4.9
9.7

VERY UNWILLING
1
1.1
1.2
3.4

Total
82
90.1
100.0
100.0

No Response
9
9.9


Total
91
100.0


For Horizons coordinators, community coaches, and community leaders this is a very important question. The response patterns to this question provide the number (and percent) of respondents who expressed willingness to participate in future community improvement efforts. Of particular note for this community and the Horizons project as a whole are the respondents who are neutral (“Neither Willing nor Unwilling”) on this question. They represent a potential untapped resource. Those who report willingness at some level represent the most ready resources for further community efforts, but do not represent the majority of the community. Northport respondents are more willing than Horizon survey respondents as a whole to participate in community improvement efforts.



Q8 PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

Number
Percent
Valid Percent

18-24
8
8.8
9.3

25-34
8
8.8
9.3

35-44
9
9.9
10.5

45-54
26
28.6
30.2

55-64
22
24.2
25.6

65+
13
14.3
15.1

Total
86
94.5
100.0

No Response
5
5.5

Total
91
100.0



Q5 TOP THREE IMPORTANT ITEMS FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT (Number & Percent Selecting)

Number
Percent
Affordable Housing

22
24.7
Better/More Jobs
2
55
61.8
Services for Elderly

19
21.3
Youth Activities
1
56
62.9
Health Care

17
19.1
Improved Economy
3
41
46.1
Education

23
25.8
Transportation

14
15.7
Other
12
13.5

This table was prepared by combining separate questions asking for a ranking on each of these topics. The number and percentage reported indicate the response pattern for those who ranked each of the topics as most important. Top three ranking from this analysis is reported in the interior column as “1, 2, and 3.” For the “Other” category, respondents could choose to write in an alternative item that they would rank within their top three choices. The following are examples of items that respondents identified in the “Other” section for an area that they believe would be most important to improved quality of life in their community.

More people at church, because that’s where quality of life comes from.
Community center
Ability to attract a chain type store like Super I, and a 24 Hr. Restaurant to attract people from the area around Northport and truckers going to and from Canada.
Home ownership not renters
increase living levels so the drug addicts leave
Affordable sewer system
bus to Colville, high speed internet
A shuttle bus from Northport to Colville on a weekday daily basis to improve employment opportunities like one bus that leaves at 5-6am and returns at approximately 3-4 pm & another bus for shoppers or senior medical appt. that leaves Northport at 10am & returns 6-7pm 2 SHUTTLES A DAY!! Job transportation IS A BIG PROBLEM. No regular transportation for education and/or jobs is a MAJOR FACTOR for why so many in Northport are unemployed & on welfare!
We need a police car here 24-7
No Towers


Q9 RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

Number
Percent
Caucasian/White (not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
76
88.4
Mexican American
0
0
Native American/Indian
2
2.6
Asian American/Pacific Islander
1
1.2
Black/Afro-American
0
0
Latino/Hispanic (not Mexican)
1
1.2
Other
3
3.5

Q10 GENDER


Number
Percent
Valid Percent

MALE
31
34.1
36.9

FEMALE
53
58.2
63.1

Total
84
92.3
100.0

No Response
7
7.7

Total
91
100.0



Q12 HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

Number
Percent
Valid Percent

0
53
58.2
62.4

1
13
14.3
15.3

2
8
8.8
9.4

3
5
5.5
5.9

4
5
5.5
5.9

5
1
1.1
1.2

Total
85
93.4
100.0

No Response
6
6.6

Total
91
100.0



Q13 PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

Number
Percent
Valid Percent

LESS THAN $20,000
40
44.0
48.8

$20,000-$50,000
28
30.8
34.1

MORE THAN $50,000
14
15.4
17.1

Total
82
90.1
100.0

No Response
9
9.9

Total
91
100.0


Q11 HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU LIVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY? (CONVERTED INTO MONTHS)

Months
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent

3
1
1.1
1.2

6
2
2.2
2.4

12
3
3.3
3.5

18
1
1.1
1.2

24
6
6.6
7.1

30
2
2.2
2.4

36
3
3.3
3.5

42
1
1.1
1.2

48
1
1.1
1.2

54
1
1.1
1.2

60
2
2.2
2.4

72
1
1.1
1.2

84
1
1.1
1.2

96
5
5.5
5.9

108
1
1.1
1.2

120
3
3.3
3.5

132
2
2.2
2.4

144
2
2.2
2.4

156
3
3.3
3.5

168
1
1.1
1.2

180
4
4.4
4.7

192
3
3.3
3.5

198
1
1.1
1.2

204
2
2.2
2.4

216
1
1.1
1.2

228
2
2.2
2.4

240
5
5.5
5.9

246
1
1.1
1.2

252
2
2.2
2.4

276
1
1.1
1.2

300
2
2.2
2.4

312
1
1.1
1.2

324
1
1.1
1.2

336
1
1.1
1.2

360
5
5.5
5.9

372
1
1.1
1.2

420
2
2.2
2.4

468
1
1.1
1.2

480
1
1.1
1.2

500
1
1.1
1.2

528
1
1.1
1.2

540
1
1.1
1.2

612
1
1.1
1.2

720
1
1.1
1.2

900
1
1.1
1.2

Total
85
93.4
100.0

No Response
6
6.6

Total
91
100.0

Comment Themes

Content analysis was conducted on the responses to the open-ended questions. Open-ended questions in the survey include question number 4, which asks respondents to list the three things they think are the most important strengths of their community, question number 7, which asks for the one project or activity respondents think should be undertaken to reduce poverty and promote a thriving environment in their community, and the final comments section of the questionnaire where respondents had the opportunity to include any additional observations or suggestions. Responses were reviewed for obvious themes or congruence of prioritization. The following information includes discussion regarding the clusters or themes identified and includes some examples of comments that relate to each of the themes.

For this community, analysis revealed two themes on the “Community Strength” question that stood out among others. The first was a significant grouping related to a sense of community and area residents being neighborly and friendly.

Examples of responses relating to people/community for question (4):

All round community involvement & support
More people are trying to make our community better.
Caring
people
Caring residents, looking out for each other
People can accomplish things together
close knit
People help
closeness of community
People help each other
Commitment
People like to be involved
Common desire of people to improve quality of life & economy of Northport
People pulling together
Community interaction with each other
People stick together
Connected
Pride/loyalty to area
Everyone gets along pretty good with each other.
Sense of belonging- connection
Everyone knows each other
Sense of community
Friendly
Strength of relationships
Great friends
Supportive
Great volunteer base
Teamwork when there is a leader
Innovative People
the older folks
local business owners - wonderful people
the people
Long term residents of many generations have lived in this town
There are many gifted and talented people here.
Many people in our community love and serve food
They can work together to clean up
Willingness to help each other
Unity
Diversity
Willing to help anyone

Willing workers

The next strongest observed grouping on the Community Strength question centered on the quality of life due to the location, size or other positive aspects of the area. Additional response groupings regarding community strengths included the quality of the schools and the quality and availability of services and programs in the area.

Examples of responses relating to quality of life/location for question (4):

Awesome beauty surrounds us- we need to take advantage of it.
Natural resources- beauty of the area
Beautiful place to live
Not to busy a place to live
Beautiful scenery
Not to far from Colville
Clean
Quiet
close to Canada
Relaxed, easy-going environment
close to Spokane, Red Mountain BC
rural life style
It's beautiful
size of community
lack of law enforcement - more freedom
Small
Living outside big cities
State highway and rail line goes through town.
Location
the natural surroundings
Location on 25 to & from Canada
the river
National recreation area
We are in the middle of everything. Great place to live "Northport Area."
Natural Beauty
Growing


For the question asking respondents for their input on what single important project or activity they believe should be undertaken to reduce poverty and promote a thriving environment in their community (Q7), the one main theme that emerged was that of the need for developing industry and encouraging new businesses.

Examples of responses relating to the need for developing industry/businesses (7):

Creating opportunities for new businesses
Light Industry, Water park
Do whatever it takes to promote (new) businesses "in town."
Figure a way to bring in some kind of industry
Bring business
Install a sewer system so businesses can come to town.
Establish a theme for the area/town & promote it.
Tourism

Additional responses on the question of a single project or activity to reduce poverty and promote a thriving environment were divided between suggestions for increasing community involvement, building a community center, and having access to adult education classes (Q7).

The final opportunity for respondents to submit their input via this survey was in the form of a general invitation for comments. Because this section of the survey was not within the framework of a specific question, the content of the responses varied greatly, and did not fit easily into particular theme topics. The following contains examples of the types of comments received. Some responses have been paraphrased due to the length of the original response, or to ensure the anonymity of the respondent.
COMMENTS: We would appreciate any observations or suggestions you would like to record. Your comments will receive our careful attention. Please add additional pages if needed.

When the lake is cleaned up, housing will grow, condos, townhouses, weekend homes for people tired of the crowds in the south, will come here. Half million dollar homes will also be built. If government on all levels does its job, this area could be another Lake Tahoe. It has the same look.
The appearance of the town has improved drastically since I moved here; however there are still many improvements that could be made to make Northport more appealing. Clearing junk from lots, painting homes, keeping yards mowed in summer & sidewalks cleared in winter would be significant improvement. I think if the Northport Community had a theme & worked to be that theme then advertise and promote it, the area would prosper. Look at towns in Canada (near the border) & other smaller communities throughout Washington. They have a slogan and events around that idea that bring in many visitors & creates a community cohesiveness.
Why do we need an announcement board when one can walk anywhere in this town and see buildings/houses, etc. falling in on themselves. Broken glass, noxious weeds and trash litter the streets and empty lots. Why should I even try to keep my lawn looking nice when I battle the weed problem that blows in off of un-mowed lots. I also don't appreciate having people parking & driving through my yard just because they can't find a place to park to watch some event or to visit someone. Why can't this town keep a policeman/policewoman? I know that there are grants available for a lot of different things. How about putting in a fish ladder? This could bring in revenue for the town. This would promote not only this town but the other towns. This town could capitalize on the fact that it is a ghost town. Winthrop was a dying town that decided to help itself. I have been there and it is cute. It looks like an old West town. It capitalizes on tourism. So much could be done to improve this town. Why does this town have to deteriorate and die? It would have been nice if everyone could have been informed that there was a clean-up in town. I didn't even know about it. When we stopped to ask if we could bring our branches over from our trees, we were told that we were supposed to have called ahead of time.Another thing that would be kind of nice would be a substation for Border Patrol and county Police.
The proof of sources will be if anything worthwhile comes out of the program. Time will tell if the idea is good but whether programs identified will go any further will determine success. So far some cleanup has taken place- and some groups are still meeting.
I'm new to Northport but here are some things that come to mind: There should be an attractive public library facility here regardless how small the population. Some things have to be done before rather than after just as there are leading and logging indications. Another thing that should be done is to clean up the area. People who are impoverished may not be able to spruce up the houses along "main" street-- that's understandable. But why as you approach the bridge from the south do you have to see in the open fields the clutter of rusted junk?
After the initial set of meetings very little has been done to take serious steps to improve the economics of Northport. I have seen 1. Town clean up, 2. New activities sign, 3. Saturday market.
I believe getting together in a diverse place to do something exciting and talk about the present moment and how good things really are. Then talk about how each of us are personally changing and how we made our changes for the better. The children will pick up on this. It is the simplest way to grow. Our community needs happy now and hope later.
In order to improve our community there needs to be more activities for younger people - ie youth center! The only thing to do in this town is go to the bar - :( so for those who don't go you have to leave town for any entertainment.
New residents of our town seem to be more progressive in upgrading services, etc.- Be careful that the very reason(s) you moved here are not removed when new changes take affect.
The city needs a sewer system so new businesses can come to town. Lack of places for visitors to stay when in the area. Promote the area as a recreation destination on websites and brochures, hunting, fishing, camping, skiing in Canada, and snowmobiling in the winter. Attract manufacturing businesses with tax incentives, and low cost of land for buildings. Don't promote area as a "cheap labor cost" area, as this just leads to low pay and minimum wage jobs. It appears that jobs in this area pay 25% or more, less than in other areas. With increasing costs on all other things, this just promotes poverty. With minimum wage job, you may as well stay on welfare.
There was a business that did its best to get into Northport but thanks to all the enviro agencies that took over this town and made it a super fund clean up site, the land that was large enough to accommodate a large business is all tied up. Government red tape will finish this town.
We moved here in 1998/99 have seen much improvement in town. Our little town is looking wonderful. Have seen a great move with our children towards the good. We thank the many who are a part of our growth and pray daily that the Lord will fill each one with his wisdom/knowledge and love.
I appreciate the interest that the Horizon project has created. People are talking, things can happen. We do have interest
I really appreciate the Horizon volunteer garbage collection weekends that happened last year. I participated as a volunteer and I was also helped by the program. I'm looking forward to helping next year!
This newsletter states that this Horizons Program "is a community leadership program created to assist small rural & reservation communities faced with economic decline or population change "enhance their quality of life." This description seems very vague when one realizes that about 1/2 of our population is retired seniors who are home owners with community concerns that are obviously going to be vastly different from the other half of our Northport population which is comprised mostly of working poor unable to break out of the economic chains of residing in an oppressed community IF INDEED Horizons is about (propagation/effort) towards building a bridge or throwing a life line to the citizens who are drowning in poverty then the foundation efforts need to be directed towards the future generations and assisting them with education, jobs & transportation & day care issues & these needs have continued to be unmet by us as a community resulting in many of our young people being forced to move out of Northport in order to insure a better quality of life for themselves which will eventually leave us with a ghost town community of senior generation residents that within 10-15 years will be extinct & then what will be left of our community? Therefore I hope this Horizons is not just a warm & fuzzy buzz word to spend grant money, but will actually produce results that will insure the survival of Northport as a community!!
Our problem is the lack of medical care. Northport is ok for healthy and near young people but not to good for old unhealthy folks.
I believe we need police presence in this town 24-7. There is more drug action (all kinds) in this town than anyone realizes. There is a large population of young adults active in such.
The push to get Broadband internet access is wonderful! How about a Branch bank way up here. Is that feasible? I like that Whole Darn Town Yard sale. Dollar for Scholars is an asset. Needs to be strengthened and promoted more with high school students. The area has good potential as a vacation destination -sight seeing maps could be drawn up -biking along the Columbia river (west side) -fishing places listed -Things of historical interest -climbing places -hikes -wild animals etc. Advertise in Spokane area. So many from down there are ignorant of vacation/trip possibilities up here!) -sometimes do offer hay rides? -pumpkin patch picking? Come up with booklet/brochure of things to see & do (inc. places to stay and to eat) around Naturally Beautiful Northport.

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