Surveys go out to residences August 4

Editor

jevans@pickenssentinel.com

SIX MILE - Six Mile residents have a chance to help shape the short-term and long range goals of the town next month - by making their opinions known.

Town officials will be sending out a survey to 345 residences the week of August 4, said Mayor John Wade.

"We're going to hand-deliver them," Wade said. "We're asking that the residents drop them by Town Hall or they can mail them in if they want to."

The survey was one of Wade's platforms during his campaign. The idea was then approved by council and a survey committee was formed earlier this year, Wade said.

"A lot of people ask about the long range plans for the town," he said. "I said we would have a survey of the people to establish short and long range plans."

Residents are asked to return their surveys within ten days of receiving it.

"If you let it lay around, it will become lost," Wade said. "We'll be putting notices out on the marquee in front of Town Hall, to let people know the surveys are going out and when to return them."

The survey - formed by the committee, with input from Town Council - focuses on many different topics, including public services, finances, development and recreation.

One of the questions Wade is interested in hearing responses about concerns the possibility of placing a weather warning siren in Six Mile, he said.

"I've had several people ask me about a weather siren," Wade said. "I think that's an excellent idea."

Such a siren could be a great asset to the town if history repeats itself.

"In 1927, we had a tornado in Six Mile that killed several people," Wade said. "It went right through Main Street."

Wade is also eager to hear from residents on zoning and development issues, he said.

"I'm interested in how residents feel about the zoning we've been talking about," Wade said. "We've been looking at the parking of old cars and junkyards. I want to know their feelings on that."

Recreation is another key area on the survey, he said.

"More and more of our population are getting older," Wade said. "They need things for them to do. Recreation is an area we need to look at."

Survey results may determine the feasibility of a police force in Six Mile, he said.

"We have many people ask about Six Mile having their own police officer," Wade said.

"We're going to ask that question, to see if people want that, and if they're willing to pay for it."

Survey results will be tallied by the survey committee, then show to the town's planning commission, Wade said.

"To see if they have anything to add to it," he said.

Then results will be shown to council.

"Whatever we can implement (from survey results), I'm sure we will," Wade said.

If residents forget to fill out their surveys, they get a friendly reminder visit from Wade or committee members.

"If we don't get a good response, we'll go out and pound the streets," he said. "I think we'll get a good response."