. The group had discussed this tactic, but has not decided to do it.
Some 51 percent said that they support the tactic of occupying the front yards of homes that have been foreclosed — with the permission of the residents — to prevent eviction of the residents.
Meanwhile, 73.6 percent agree with the City Council’s vote to ask mortgage lenders and regulators to halt home foreclosures during the holidays.
Here are some of the comments by those who responded to the survey:
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“This is a group of very ethical, caring and smart people trying to make us aware of injustice in our midst. We should support the Occupy Petaluma friends.”
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“It’s fine to protest, but camping in our public areas should not be allowed. The tents are very hard on the grassy areas, and sanitation is a concern.”
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“I think it is great that Occupy Petaluma wants to work constructively with the city to help prevent foreclosures and evictions, especially during the holidays. I’m very impressed that our little town has such a peaceful group of occupiers who, in just a few short weeks, have formulated some constructive goals and plans to help our community.”
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“I think it is time for the occupiers to leave Penry Park. What is being accomplished now by camping out? If they camp at a foreclosed house, I hope they have insurance in the event someone gets injured. They should not be blocking doorways, streets, etc., preventing citizens from taking care of business. In that way they have lost my support.”
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“Forgive, don’t foreclose. Since the U.S. government bailed out the big banks, they should do the right thing and stop foreclosure. A vacant house lowers neighboring property values (aside from the human misery and family disruption it causes, but I am expressing this in money terms that bankers can understand). Reset the loans — a lot of people try calling, but the banks find it easier to just evict. That’s wrong, and shameful.”
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“Why the deafening silence from President Obama? What does he think of the Occupy movement?”
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“The City Council asking the lenders not to foreclosure during the holidays has absolutely no meaning. The council has no power over the banks.”
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“The Occupy groups have brought the issue of fairness to public attention in discussions about what the current economic is, what caused it, and how to fix it. The issue was pretty much ignored by the mainstream press before the Occupy movement.”
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“Blocking the entrances will cause extra problems for the poor (especially elderly and disabled) people who need to go inside to make sure a check or cash is deposited or to ensure their mortgage payment is properly made. Some people can easily just go visit another branch, but many don’t have the transportation or energy for it. If Occupy Petaluma were to block entrances, they should allow those already-suffering poverty-stricken citizens through to handle necessary banking activities.”
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“Don’t block or bully me if I choose to support big business. But certainly advocate the benefits of small businesses and buying local.”
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“Do you really think that would do any good?”
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“I feel sorry for the people that have to see the big fat tent out of their windows.”
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“I just don’t see anything positive coming from this in the long run. Otherwise, I support Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Petaluma.”
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“I suggest not to ‘block’ the entrance to banks, but standing in front of the banks and giving people accurate information would be OK.”
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“It doesn’t matter if they have the residents’ permission or not. What about their neighbors that don’t agree with having that element at their homes? I wouldn’t want this next door to me, would you?”
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“Time to regulate the banks. Deregulation has failed.”
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“Item one was announced by the Argus before Occupy Petaluma had voted on it. It should have been removed by the Argus because it wasn’t part of the proposal that the City Council approved. Having it on the survey is erroneous. Please check your sources more carefully.”
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“Just a bunch of homeless bums with nothing else to do. This whole Occupy protest started off well, but these homeless types have spoiled it for everyone. Now the city can’t get rid of them because of the backlash.”
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“Just to clarify, Occupy Petaluma general assembly has not approved nor announced that it would be blocking entrances of the large banks. Rather it seeks to find creative ways to bring light to the large sums of money that the banks suck out of Petaluma to their headquarters and CEO salaries.”
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“Occupy is amazing. Thank you all.”
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“Occupy participants need to go and get a job!”
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“Penry Park is not a good location for Petaluma Occupy to establish their camp. The area is a residential neighborhood and several residents are upset at the occupiers’ presence in there.”
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“Predatory lending is almost entirely to blame for the very real damage done to all homeowners — even the most responsible. The banks need to concede this.”
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“Sadly, it’s an unorganized and clueless movement. Change needs to happen, but these people are not going to help. As to Nonn’s foreclosure idea, nice, but pointless, and he’s always chasing causes, which is why he lost his house — his fault, not the lenders — now trying to turn this latest one into a cause.”
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“Someone’s finally got the right idea to get back at rich companies taking over in these critical times. I support them.”
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“Take a shower and get a job.”
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“The ‘Occupy’ movement has become a moot point. Same old protesters with no plan of action. They want to make a difference? Occupy Nancy Pelosi’s house!”
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“The Occupy movement lost its credibility with the mainstream public weeks ago. At this point it’s just the homeless and the new-era hippies with nothing else to do.”
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“The council admitted that asking mortgage lenders and regulators to halt home foreclosures during the holidays was not in their purview, yet they do not want to listen to items not in their purview during public comment at meetings. Hypocrites!”
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“There is no doubt about it that the economy sucks right now. People are losing jobs, I get it. I don’t agree with any of this Occupy Wall Street protesting. People need to start taking responsibility for themselves and stop blaming others for their problems. Most of the people that are being foreclosed on (including my family members) got themselves into their own situation. People my age (30s) live in a world where they feel entitled to what they want, when they want it, no matter what it takes. I know several people that got a variable mortgage rate and said they would worry about their payment increase when the time came. Well, five years sure did come fast for them and now they can’t afford their payments. Why is that the bank’s problem?”
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“These good intentions have become a big joke. If you are pissed at Wall Street, go close them down. Stop getting all big on the 99 percent that have errands to run and business to conduct, and by the way give us our park back. Regarding the city of Petaluma: Stop wasting time on stuff you cannot control outside of your jurisdiction, and get to fixing the potholes.”
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“They get what they deserve.”
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“This is democracy and legal assembly in action! I am very proud of the occupiers! I am also grateful for the City Council’s response and for the peaceful response by the police. Occupy is bringing to light a great deal of economic injustice. Even for those who are critical of the movement, please know this: They are working to help you, too. They are on your side. Compassion and empathy and understanding must precede judgment. Peace to all.”
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“What kind of survey is this? You make it sound like these people are criminals and don’t care about Petaluma. Actually these people care more about what is happening to this country compared to some of you who sit on your butts and complain what’s going on and have no answers.
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“‘Occupy Movement’ — A bunch of losers with a sense of entitlement. Get a job and live within your means, you deadbeats!”
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“(In the ‘Occupy’ movement, there have been) 4,000 arrests, eight rapes and seven dead. In Santa Cruz, Haz Mat was called in to remove over 200 pounds of feces at the squatter camp. Nice.”

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