The simple answer is that both jobs and green space drop in importance. Overall, pitting jobs and green space against one another is a lose-lose proposition. Finally, the On Common Ground survey results warrant a careful look at the quality of public education, one of the most erosion-resistant values. For eight out of ten Wisconsin residents, living in an area that offers quality education is important and for two thirds of them it is very important. Stepping back and looking at this survey as a whole brings the public's message into focus.
Citizens value a great many aspects of where they live.
Evaluating any one of these factors alone in a vacuum is unrealistic and misleading. People want to maximize all the positive features of their communities, and will reject policies, plans or programs that require wholesale sacrifices, economically, educationally or environmentally. The report above is based upon findings from a survey conducted for the Spring 1998 issue of On Common Ground.