Although the sampling was small, about 300 individuals, the results posed some food for thought. Also, the survey specified cities, but as I consider Paynesville more of a community than a city, I still feel the results apply. Education and community safety were the overwhelming top two characteristics, indicated by 74 and 64 percent of the respondents respectively. No surprise really, and I feel that those are two of this communities best characteristics. The city of Paynesville has made several improvements lately towards better community safety.
Sidewalks are now available in most areas to keep pedestrians off the streets.
Turning lanes and the stoplight, although creating some problems at first, now make it safer for both vehicles and pedestrians traveling on or trying to cross Highway 23. Even with the stoplight and the fact that the sight line is an improvement since the old building was replaced, there still is somewhat of a hazard there. That issue may yet be readdressed. Coming in third with 39 percent responding was recreation. That was a bit of a surprise to me, but does make complete sense.