PU
BLIC opinion polls are as American as Mom, apple pie, pizza pie
and tacos.
That's why I applaud our Opinion pages
staff for asking readers, "Would you welcome the acquisition
of a National Football League team at the Rose Bowl?'
Loaded question and it obviously doesn't
constitute a true feeling of the public pulse, but may be better
than the stabs in the dark of politicians, bureaucrats and
columnists.
This basically is what's called a
"straw poll.' It's far better than nothing.
In straw polls, we throw our straws up
into the wind, hoping like opinions will flutter down to an
identical spot, helping to decide an issue.
Worth doing, but not always very
scientific.
People with vested interests and strong
feelings can gang up in answering a poll, outshouting the average
guy.
For one example, some Linda Vistans are
against bringing pro football to the Rose Bowl. Use of the Bowl
sometimes disturbs their peace.
On the other hand, there are pro football
buffs who might load a straw vote.
And there are Pasadenans who want to see
the Rose Bowl preserved and modernized, helping the city treasury
- if we can stir NFL interest.
To my knowledge, nobody's organizing a
group of average Pasadenans, so this rational voice could be lost.
Informal polling by city staff also can
be helpful, but only slightly better than straw polls.
DEFINITE
steps up are well- rounded public opinion
surveys composed by reliable pros with no ax to grind. Cost big
bucks, but deliver big information.
That hasn't been done on the Rose Bowl or
other local important questions for two decades.
I've often mentioned such a survey by
leading Southland polling group in the early '80s.
It demonstrated 8 out of 10 Pasadenans
wanted the Bowl to be used more to help out the city treasury.
Trouble used to be nobody at City Hall
could find this survey commissioned by City Hall.
Serious doubt was cast by some that it
existed outside of my not-so- fertile mind.
But I accidentally found a copy as I
cleaned out ancient files. Sent it off to City Manager Cynthia
Kurtz, who had the package photocopied. Somebody at City Hall
should be able to show you a copy.
Outdated? Probably, at least in part, but
it's more scientific than anything else we have.
MOST RELIABLE
poll is one done in the privacy of voting
booth on election day.
Doesn't reflect all facets of all
opinions, but isn't that the way of democracy?
I've suggested many, many times over the
years that the City Council ask the voters.
Council hasn't even discussed, much less
acted on what I feel is a logical suggestion.
I'm convinced Pasadenans want to see the
Bowl used to benefit all of the city.
Some councilfolk believe they can keep
things better under control if they keep your hands off the
steering wheel.
I'm not sure they know the meaning of vox
populi.
Some of these same pols did everything
they could to prevent the people from voting on the 710 Freeway
not long ago.
Pro-freeway folks had to go out and
gather voter signatures merely to get the hot issue on the ballot.
Completion won overwhelmingly.
CHECK main opinion pages for
addresses to register your thoughts on pro football.
Add your vox to the populi.
-- Contact Charles Cherniss at
charles.cherniss@sgvn.com .
