About 62 percent of those responding to the Argus-Courier online poll believed it was very or somewhat important for Petaluma to have a community fireworks show. about 38 percent believed that it was not very important or not important at all. When asked if they would donate to keep the fireworks show going,  opinions were split. About 42 percent said they would, while 43 percent said they would not. Nine  percent of those polled were unsure. Here were some of… Read More »

More than half of those responding to the Argus-Courier online poll thought that Petaluma should consider outsourcing its animal services. Roughly 60 percent believed that the city should consider this, while 34 percent did not. Around six percent of voters weren’t sure. Here were some of their comments. —— “We need to outsource more services, not just the animal control. We could save a bundle.” —— “Not if it means cutting the pay and benefits of the employees. I’m tired… Read More »

Most, or about 67 percent, of those responding to the Argus-Courier online poll, disagreed with the city’s decision to negotiate a new garbage hauling contract without seeking relief for ratepayers. About 76 percent also thought that the city should wait and open the contract to competitive bidders in three years, when the contract expires. Here were some of the comments. “You’re not going to get something for nothing. What is really behind the garbage hauler’s offer? What’s to prevent the… Read More »

Most people responding to the Argus-Courier’s April 12, 2012 online poll believe that the state legislature should choose not to ratify a gaming compact that would allow a large casino to be built in Rohnert Park. Nearly 80 percent said they were very concerned about the issue. Here are some of the comments. Here are some of the comments by people who responded to the survey: —— “Bad idea. Jerry Brown up to his old tricks again. This is going… Read More »

The majority of people responding to the Argus-Courier’s April 5, 2012 online poll favor Petaluma Police using state grant funding to enforce drunk driving laws and to prevent pedestrian and bicycle collisions.  75.8 percent said they supported this, while 20.9 percent said they did not. Here are some of the comments: —— “I’m glad existing laws are being enforced, but I wish we didn’t depend so much on state and federal monies.” —— “I support the extra enforcement, especially for… Read More »

A small majority of those polled the week of March 29, 2012 disagreed with the City Council’s appointment of Council Member Mike Healy to the Oversight Board for the Successor Agency of the former Petaluma Community Development Commission, which will oversee spending millions of dollars on city capital improvement projects. 53.6 percent of voters disagreed, while 44.4 percent agreed with the decision. Three percent of respondents were unsure. Here are some of the comments by those who responded to the… Read More »

More than half (66.7 percent) of those responding to our March 22,2012 online poll said they agree with the Petaluma Library advisory board’s decision to postpone an upgrade to the building. Of those commenting, 25 percent disagreed with the board’s decision and 8.3 percent were not sure. Here are some of the comments by those who responded to the survey: —— “Bad timing in this economic downfall. Who’s paying all these taxes? The poor, mostly.” —— “Didn’t they just remodel… Read More »

Half of those responding to our March 15, 2012 online poll are in favor of a countywide ordinance banning the use of single-use plastic bags at grocery stores. Forty-one percent were opposed to such a ban and 6.7 percent were not sure. When asked if they would favor a 10 cent fee for the use of paper bags at the grocery store, 69.7 percent said no, 26.9 percent said yes and 3.4 percent were not sure. Here are some of… Read More »

Most of those responding to our March 8, 2012 online poll are opposed (57.4 percent) to fluoride being added to the county’s water system, which supplies water to Petaluma. Here are some of the comments by those who responded to the survey: —— “Does this mean I won’t have to brush my teeth anymore?” —— “Don’t need it. Just another thing to have to filter out.” —— “They should have done this years ago! It helps alot of kids avoid… Read More »

The overwhelming majority (88.9 percent) of people responding to our March 1, 2012 Pulse of Petaluma question want to see the Deer Creek shopping center — and Friedman’s Home Improvement — become a reality as soon as possible, citing the need for a home improvement center and the continuing loss of tax dollars from people leaving town to buy elsewhere. —— “Eleven years to break ground for the Regency Target development. Petaluma has become the least business friendly city in… Read More »