decorahnews.com series: "You Said It Your Way"--Which part of City of Decorah government draws the most public criticism?

(decorahnews.com is publishing a week-long series of stories about the results of a survey taken by 500 Decorah residents, asking their opinions about city government)

Which part of city government comes under the most criticism from the public?

As we have already reported, some Decorah residents are unhappy about the condition of streets in Decorah, while others complain about "overly aggressive" police officers.  But the Decorah Street Department, Police Department and other departments like Park-Rec and the Public Library all received approval ratings above 80 percent in the community survey.

It's not until the Decorah City Council comes up as a topic of discuss does the public get grumpy.  "Make up their minds in advance; lack of clear, intelligent communication...not open to hearing disagreements; they give the impression (even if not true) of behind-doors dealings," said one survey respondent, while another stated, "I would say that council members shouldn't comment that city employees don't need raise because they are lifers and won't leave."

55 percent of those responding to the community survey gave the city council a positive rating (Which, in view of Congress' 8 percent approval rating, might be a good sign).  But another 27 percent said they were "dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied" with the city council (18 percent had no opinion).

City council members were criticized for not responding to phone call messages.  "I've attempted numerous contacts with members of the current city council and have NEVER heard back from any of them," said one person, who added, "This is unacceptable. Whom do they represent, if not the people who elected them?"  Another person stated, "My city council mostly makes me angry, does not represent my views or respond to messages."  Even one person who praised the council as a whole added a complaint, saying, "I have had very good responsiveness from the mayor and at-large members of the council and unresponsiveness from the representative of my ward."

The other common complaint was that city council members don't listen to the public.  Complained one person, "(They) make up their minds in advance; lack of clear, intelligent communication...not open to hearing disagreements; they give the impression (even if not true) of behind-doors dealings."  Another added, "Some city council members seem very close minded, and seem to have their decisions made prior to any discussion on the topic presented. I feel there are some council members that have a personal agenda and don't really listen to residents of their ward or the community at large."  Concluded a third person, "The Council is not known for its creativity and forward thinking and too often must be badgered into
progress by the general public."

Not all of the survey comments were negative, however.  One reader singled out City Administrator Chad Bird, saying, "Mr. Bird is a worthy
successor to Jerry Freund, who was terrific!"

(Our news series concludes Friday with a report on public opinion about the proposed recreation center)