Results of a citizen survey, to help compile the City of Sarnia's Corporate Strategic Plan, have some city councillors scratching their heads.
When it comes to communication, 72% of respondents said the most common way they learn about municipal issues is through the radio or tv and 66% said they learn through newspapers.
Communicating through the city's social medial and website trailed in that category, but lead as the preferred way for residents to learn about municipal issues.
Councillor Mike Kelch says that's confusing.
"The third point is that people want us to spend less on those things than we do now, which would be hard actually to do at this point," says Kelch. "So, how do I interpret that data point?"
City Manager Margaret Misek-Evans says its all relative.
"It's a relative perspective on what people feel is the bigger priority with respect to condition of roads, water and sewer, relative to them perceiving that the website is ok." says Misek-Evans. "If I had to choose where I was going to put money, I would put it into the roads. That might be another way to look at it."
Councillor Brian White thinks social media and the website need improvement.
"I interpret that as something that we could learn from and validate the direction we are going with IT (Information Technology) and with the communications strategy and then show people how useful these tools can actually be," says White.
Overall, respondents felt Sarnia is a safe and affordable place to live, good place to retire and great place to raise children.
The local economy, jobs and unemployment was listed as the most significant issue confronting the future of the city.
Nearly 600 people filled out the document this spring to help outline a direction and priorities of council and for the city moving forward.
