Below is the results of the Community Attitudes Survey done by Grow Raton.
Download the PDF to view the results and determine for yourself how Raton really looks. Grow Raton Director Paul Jenkins and our own Billy D discussed some of the results on the This, That and the Other program this morning (3-3-14) and shed some light on the facts.
Community Attitudes Survey 2014.02.10
Below is the results of the Business Survey Done by Grow Raton
Of course, Raton’s residents are angry and frustrated. We have been in a downward economic spiral for a number of years. There has been a lot of talk but no action. However, we do have a chance to turn things around. The efforts currently underway to create an Economic Development Plan (EDP) are different that what has been tried in the past. The goals set will be specific, measurable, achievable (no pie in the sky), relevant, and timely. There will be an action-oriented implementation plan which will hold individuals accountable for getting things done. Economists say that it can take up to five years to turn around a situation like ours but it can be done. Those who choose not to get involved only have themselves to blame.
I am very disappointed in this town businesses have been closing left and right, there is nothing for younger kids to do, no jobs, and utilities are outrageously priced to where a person has to chose between rent or utility bills. The roads look very bad, pot holes are never fixed, the “less used roads” never get attention. Money that could of been spent on better things like (things for younger kids can do skate park, better parks) instead of another courthouse. As is Raton has no future in my eyes……..