Support for Local Lawmakers Wanes in Clarkson
A survey conducted in April, 2017 shows that Clarkson residents are less about lawmakers representing issues important to them, according to The Covert Liberty Project. The survey measured changes in residents’ opinions since March, 2017.
A door-to-door survey of 50 households was conducted in the Town of Clarkson within Congressional District NY-27. Residents were asked their opinions of lawmakers representing issues of freedom, independence, work/jobs, home/family and nature/outdoors, which all viewed as important to them. Opinions of Town of Clarkson Supervisor Paul Kimball as ‘very’ to ‘somewhat’ positive dipped from 54% to 40%, although residents were generally pleased with town government. One resident who recently moved from Wayne County to Clarkson remarked, “We’re here to stay.” Twenty-two percent of residents were ‘somewhat positive’ about County Legislator Mike Rockow in April, compared to 55% in March. Both NY Assemblyman Steve Hawley and NY Senator Joe Robach saw 20% declines in residents’ opinions as ‘very to somewhat positive’, to 20% and 40% of residents, respectively. Many residents expressed ‘neutral’ opinions about their local lawmakers representing their issues, often stating, “I really don’t know these people.’
At the federal level, ‘very’ to ‘somewhat’ positive opinions of Congressman Chris Collins representing their issues fell from 66% to 40%, while ‘neutral’ responses rose by 20%. Opinions of NY Senator Chuck Schumer were evenly split in March, but ‘somewhat’ negative’ responses rose by 20% in April. Residents remained evenly split in their opinions for NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from March to April, although ‘neutral’ opinions increased to 40%. The Presidential 100-day honeymoon may perhaps be over, as 60% of residents in April had ‘somewhat’ to ‘very’ negative opinions of Donald Trump representing their issues.
The Covert Liberty Project is sponsored by local volunteers to find similar issues that concern voters, and to bring people together to address these issues. Between March and April, volunteers spoke at local Town Board meetings, attended community events through the Brockport School District, and have written to local newspapers and called in to local radio shows.
www.common1ground.wix.com/covertliberty
