GBCC-Govt Review Committee Meeting (10/22/99)

What do you like about Greater Bakersfield? What are our strengths?

People are very friendly

15
Family oriented-a great place to raise kids

13
Relatively easy commute/short driving time

10
Location in proximity to variety of locales

9
Business friendly community

9
Commitment to community-pride

8
Relatively low cost of living

7
Affordable housing

7
Many outdoor recreational opportunities

7
Good educational system

6
Our resources: ag and oil

5
Moderate size population

5
Educational opportunities: Univ. & Comm.College

4
Strong work ethic

4
Open space

4
Entertainment-cultural events

3
Diversity of cultures and ages in the community

3
Giving community-volunteerism

3
Parks

3
Weather-temp.

3
Kern River Parkway

2
Small town, relaxed mentality-get things done

2
Courts and judges responsive to legal needs

2
Churches

2
Food basket of the world

2
Beautification projects

2
Privacy-single family homes with lot

1
Uniquely beautiful trees in the Fall

1
Sports activities

1
Shopping malls

0
Good available workforce

0
Kern River

0
Unpretentiousness of people

0

What are Greater Bakersfield's key weaknesses? What don't you like?

Air quality

15
Image/reputation

13
Conflict between city and county

9
Low educational attainment-less than 20% college degree

9
Low educational opportunities and results

8
Air transportation

8
Low per capita income/significantly lower than state

7
Unattractiveness of freeway corridors-especially 99

6
Vacant areas-eyesores/cluttered signage

6
Gangs and drugs

6
Too many school districts/too many different standards

6
Lack of civic leadership

6
Public education system

4
Economic stratification

4
Lack of 1st class facilities for sports/cultural arts

3
Faster commute: East to West

3
Lack of dress code in school system

2
Apathy of low to moderate income people

2
High unemployment

2
Polarization of communities

2
Lack of coordinated, well thought out plan to attract new business

2
Lack of good reliable information source

2
Beastly hot

2
Self-image

2
Duplication of projects: Chamber, Board of Trade

1
Absentee landlords

1
Lack of resources to develop Kern River

1
Shopping

1
Minimal physical beauty

1