DILLER COMMUNITY SURVEY 2005

 

This is a shortened version of the survey, to see complete results, please contact Beth Roelfs.

Community

Overall the residents of Diller are satisfied with the following:

1.      Fire and Rescue

2.      City Park

3.      Water Quality

4.      Highway entrances

5.      Business area

6.      Downtown Sidewalks

7.      Community Building

The Diller Residents have indicated the need for attention in the following areas:

1.      Availability of Recreation and Services particularly for teens and adults

2.      Availability of Rental Housing

3.      Availability of Child Care

4.      Improvement in Law Enforcement

5.      Condition of vacant house and vacant lots

6.      Residential sidewalks

The general opinion of the residents think the Village should concentrate on the following top three activities:

1.      Sponsor an annual village-wide clean-up

2.      Monitor Property Appearance

3.      Seek additional single family or duplex rental housing

The majority of the homes in Diller are owner occupied.  More than 50% of the owners feel their home was in excellent to good condition.  Areas where owners felt the greatest need for minor or major repairs included:

1.      Exterior painting

2.      Window replacement/repair

3.      Foundation repair

4.      New roof/shingles

The following housing types were considered the top needs for the community:

1.      Affordable housing for middle-income families

2.      Apartments/houses for rent

3.      Two bedroom homes

4.      Three bedroom homes

 

Business and Economic Development

There is strong interest in having a café open on Sundays.  There appears to be support of additional child care for the community.  It was favorable to continue affiliation with Jefferson County Economic Development.

The additional businesses and services reflected in the survey would include the following:

1.      Day care facility

2.      Swimming pool

3.      Car wash

4.      Convenience store

5.      Teen Center

6.      Fitness Center

Supportive Services

The need for a public library was about 50% for and 50% against.  It appears there is interest from the residents to volunteer to support programs and projects with 47 responding that they would help with labor, planning, and materials.

The highest priority items needed at the Community Building include:

1.      New wall coverings

2.      Annual cleaning of the kitchen

3.      Speaker System

4.      Monthly cleaning service

Demographics

The majority of the surveys were completed by females.  Most households identified themselves as married.  There are 9 households that indicate that they have a disability.

The population breakdown had the highest population under the age of 19 with 71, followed by the age group between 45 to 54 and then 25 to 34.

The greater majority of the residents of Diller have resided in the community for more than 20 years representing 66 of the households.  However, nearly 30% of the population residing in the community has lived there for less than 10 years.  The highest calling card for bringing new residents to the community was job opportunity and family ties followed by small town atmosphere, retirement and affordable housing.

The vocation of residents included primarily retired households, farm and services related occupations.

The majority of workers are traveling out of Diller for employment with most of them traveling 20 miles or less.

The top ten projects mentioned on the surveys include the following:

1.      Diner open on Sunday

2.      Gas available on weekends

3.      Housing opportunities both ownership and rental

4.      Street repairs

5.      Property appearance

6.      City-wide cleanup

7.      Day care

8.      Activities for area residents (Teen center, fitness center)

9.      Sidewalks in the residential area

10.  Remodel community building

There was strong indication that a “Community Welcome Wagon” is needed for new residents.  There were comments about outsiders not being welcomed to the community.  It was mentioned numerous times to have more community sponsored events and using the talents of the residents.

There services needed in the community include:

1.      Child care

2.      Restaurant open on Sundays

3.      Car wash

4.      Exercise Center

5.      Convenience center

6.      Swimming pool

Additional goods that were mentioned on numerous surveys included:

1.      Gas on weekends

2.      Hardware, lumber, plumbing and electrical supplies

3.      Ice cream/coffee shop


 

COMMUNITY

PLEASE RATE THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS OF OUR COMMUNITY:

 

Good

Satisfactory

Poor

Don’t Know

Water Quality

57

48

9

8

Fire and Rescue

92

18

1

8

Law Enforcement Services

22

46

25

18

City Park

78

41

2

0

Control of Loose Pets

28

45

24

24

City-wide Street Lighting

24

71

15

7

Availability of Rental Housing

7

30

34

44

Availability of Child Care

7

26

32

50

Availability of Recreation and other Activities/Services for:

 

 

 

 

Infants

7

35

22

51

School Age

9

54

19

40

Teens

6

33

46

40

Adults

12

42

33

27

Seniors

28

47

8

29

General Direction of the Community

47

37

2

9

COMMUNITY/OTHERS

PLEASE RATE THE GENERAL APPEARANCE OF:

 

Good

Satisfactory

Poor

Don’t Know

Business Area

69

48

1

0

Highway Entrances to Town

89

26

2

1

The Residential Area

28

73

8

3

Vacant Homes

9

40

48

22

Vacant Lots

10

46

40

20

PLEASE RATE THE CONDITION OF:

 

Good

Satisfactory

Poor

Don’t Know

The Community Building

64

40

6

4

Streets

26

67

16

2

Downtown Sidewalks

102

15

2

2

Residential Sidewalks

3

35

74

8

Most Homes

28

86

6

3

Street Drainage

16

58

21

18

Museum

21

46

5

45

SHOULD THE VILLAGE:

 

YES

NO

NO Opinion

Seek Additional Rental Apartment Housing

52

24

40

Sponsor an annual village-wide cleanup with removal of used tires, appliances, etc.

111

 

7

Install curbs & gutters in residential areas

32

46

39

Expand or add recreational facilities

54

22

40

Monitor Property Appearance

75

24

19

Seek Additional Housing for Seniors

51

20

40

Seek Additional Single family or duplex rental housing

57

26

33

Would you be willing to volunteer your labor to support and/or renovate the museum?

Yes 24             No 83

Comments:

·        Use the street sweeper

·        Stop killing the cats

·        City park maintenance

·        Street lights are being shot out

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING HOUSING TYPES ARE NEEDED IN OUR COMMUNITY?

 

YES

NO

NO OPINION

Apartments/houses to rent

60

13

37

Affordable housing for Low-Income Families

42

42

28

Affordable Housing for Middle-Income Families

76

7

29

Two bedroom homes

59

9

41

Three bedroom homes

57

9

40

Retirement housing for rent

46

13

56

Retirement housing for Ownership

39

17

5

Assisted Living Facilities

49

16

50

Business/Economic Development

Would you utilize the following businesses if they were available in our  community?

a.       Café open on Sunday:               Yes 100           No 14              No opinion 9

b.      Lawn care & snow removal:     Yes 36             No 56              No opinion 22

Should economic development efforts focus on:

The establishment of additional child care slots in our community:
                  Yes 54              No 12              No Opinion 51
      Promoting tourism:
                  Yes 46              No 23              No Opinion 41
      Continuing affiliation with the Jefferson County Economic Development
                  Yes 70             No 1                No Opinion 44

What is needed to promote the maintenance of current Diller businesses?
      Local residents need to support local businesses
      Competitive pricing

What additional businesses/services does Diller need?

      Daycare                                   Plumber
      Swimming pool             Grocery Store
      Fitness center                           Gas available on Sundays
      Car wash                                  Fast food
      Teen center                              Insurance
      Hardware                                 Adult Education classes
      Welder

Does Diller need a Public Library?
      Yes 37             No 38              No Opinion 39
Should Diller keep its library collection and expand the public library services?
      Yes 50             No 17              No Opinion 44
What people programs would you like to see started that are not already in existence?
      Swimming pool             Play groups
      Sports programs                       Preschool
      Exercise                                   Dances
      College classes             Technical Training
      Teen center
Would you be willing to volunteer to support programs and projects in the community?
      Yes 47             No 18              No Opinion 3
If yes, what type of volunteer support would you provide:
      Labor               35
      Planning            24
      Materials          7
      Other               11