Section 2: Background

IV. An Overview of the Process

• Introduction
• Our Purpose
• Our Beliefs
• Our Process
• Demographic Sources

     The Five Sections of Study and their Indicators
     Background Information on the Statistics

Introduction

This report represents the beginning of a process to solicit the participation of the community in determining Cortland County's future priorities. It provides a picture of the quality of life in our community by presenting health and social indicators, public opinion and a community vision.

Our Purpose

1. To provide baseline data and the foundation of a system that will periodically and accurately assess the quality of life in our county.
    
2. To put forth a set of indicators that will provide a widely accepted index for monitoring the well being of the county.
    
3. To inform funding and policy decisions.
    
4. To qualify the county for funding from various public and private granting agencies.
    
5. To engage citizens in a priority setting and monitoring process.
    
6. To complement the goals and progress of other entities in Cortland County working for our betterment.

   Back to top

   Our Beliefs A community pulling together -- citizens and experts, public and private sectors, town and gown, and many different disciplines -- can accomplish much. Working toward widely accepted priorities, informed citizens are the most effective agents for change.   A long-term, comparative view of our well-being is useful to evaluate where we have been and to establish community priorities for the future.   Prevention and early intervention to address the community's problems are more effective and less costly than remediation. Back to top

   Our Process Three major surveys were done in the first part of the year 2001. The first survey included a non-random sample of the general public captured at several public activities (a parent drug abuse prevention program, the Business Showcase, and from BOCES Adult Education classes and the Alternative High School). Two United Way surveys previously done in 1990 and 1995 were repeated. Individuals from 54 human service agencies and 58 key informants from the fields of business, religion and government completed different eight-page surveys. Public input was further obtained from a series of 12 focus groups. Focus groups are typically composed of 5-10 participants selected because they have certain characteristics in common. We used these groups to gain insight into perception, beliefs and opinions about specific issues or services. Community visioning was done at the regular meetings of seven various boards and service clubs. Members were asked to "think boldly" to envision an ideal Cortland County 10 years hence. (See "Acknowledgements" for a listing of the focus and community visioning groups.) The opinions put forth in the surveys, focus groups and community visioning process are reflected throughout this report. At the same time, there was a systematic pursuit of social, economic and health indicators from local, state and federal sources. Thirty-four SUNY Cortland students in two Methods of Social Research II classes served as researchers for this part of the project. Several faculty members supervised these students and also served as technical advisors. A SUNY Cortland Geography class and its professor assisted with some excellent mapping of local data, as did the local County Planning Department. The choice of indicators was informed by the concerns raised from public input and the three surveys. Back to top

   Demographic Sources We included the population data currently available from the 2000 Census. More detailed data on socio-economics and housing will be available later in the year and in 2002. Income and population distribution data for Cortland County are not yet available from the 2000 census, but we have provided 1990 and 1998 data. Those with loose-leaf versions of this assessment may update with census tables when they become available. The data sources are listed at the bottom of each table. The following is a list of tables in the Demographics Section, Table D: 1. Population of county municipalities, 1990 and 2000       Map D-1 Cortland County 2. Population by race, 2000 3. 2000 US Census Summary — People QuickFacts 4. Family income ranges — 1990       Graph D-1 Population by age and gender, 1990       Graph D-2 Population by age and gender, 1998 Back to top