Fall 2002

This summer found the Vision 2030 Oversight Committee and consultant team hard at work.  ACP, the Vision 2030 consultant, sifted through more than 1,800 comments and ideas collected at the 17 public meetings held between April 9 and May 8.  The Oversight Committee reviewed the ideas and drafted vision statements and strategies for each of fifteen topic areas, ranging from safety and crime reduction to farmland and agriculture.

The resulting vision statements were tested in a telephone survey in July.  A random sample of 1,200 residents was chosen to ensure accurate representation of all the region’s jurisdictions, with an accuracy rate of plus or minus 2.8 percent.

The survey confirms that the core values and strategies that emerged from the Vision 2030 process resonate strongly with the region’s residents.  At least two-thirds of the residents favor each of the strategies tested, with no significant opposition to any of the proposed strategies.  The "hot button" issues are education; crime and drugs, and their spread from the city to the counties; traffic congestion; and the loss of open space.

Education is a priority for residents throughout the region and is tied in people’s minds to many of the other Vision 2030 issues.  There is consistent concern and support for values and strategies to improve the education system.

Urban residents are concerned about the current impact of crime and drugs on their neighborhoods, while county residents worry that this social malaise is spreading to their areas.  However, there is mixed support for  values and strategies to tackle these problems.

Suburban residents showed heightened concern about traffic and congestion, yet people are car-dependent and do not seem willing to consider using public transportation. 

The loss of open space emerged as another key Vision 2030 issue, particularly in more rural areas, where the majority believe growth has been too fast.  Suburban residents have mixed feelings about the rate of growth and development, while a significant percentage of city dwellers feel that growth has been too slow.

The Vision 2030 values and strategies were further tested at a Community Choices workshop on September 18.  Approximately 75 people, who had previously participated in a Vision 2030 activity, reviewed the values and strategies and offered additional comments.   The Oversight Committee is now further refining the values and  strategies and, based on the  last round of comments, is preparing the final Vision 2030 report, which will be issued in early December.

Additional information about Vision 2030, including reports and materials, is available at www.baltometro.org.

Posted: 10/17/2002