Big Ask for Big Apple

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is to send surveys to 100,000 randomly selected New Yorkers, asking them to rate city services, at an estimated cost of $500,000.

The survey, on which Bloomberg is working with Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, asks citizens for their views on the NYPD, city agencies and bureaucratic complaint-handling, among other issues. Gotbaum says the results of the survey will then be discussed in a number of focus groups.

At a press conference this week, Bloomberg said his experience from the business world had encouraged him to apply market research techniques to city government. However, perhaps in an indication or reassurance that this will not mean knee-jerk policy-making or government by poll, Bloomberg also said that a mayor should 'have the courage to stick to their decisions when everyone is beating them over the head.'

The survey, which follows the earlier establishment of the 311 citywide help line, will be available in English, Chinese, Russian and Spanish.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.