In addition to publishing thoughts from our program directors in the 26 Knight communities, we're also reaching out to other local civic leaders. This is an email interview with Robert Bush, Senior Vice President for Cultural and Community Investment at the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte, N.C.
What jumped out at you from the results of the study?
The high ranking of aesthetics. We sometimes forget that this is a beautiful place to live both from natural and built perspectives. Visitors and newcomers frequently comment on this beauty – from the tree canopy, skyline, parks, public art, etc. and how Charlotte has done a much better job than other cities in attention to this critical part of making this an attractive place to live, work and play.
Did any of the Gallup findings surprise you?
No, in fact the Gallup findings mirror in many ways the findings of other studies done in the recent past.
What do you consider to be the key takeaways from the findings?
We can’t take anything for granted and there is critical work that still needs to be done. We have made great strides in building a great city; however, we face challenges that still need our attention – real leadership (both political and civic); need for basic services (affordable housing, public transit); and social capital/openness (it is hard to live here if you are different – racial and ethnic minorities, gays and lesbians; singles).
Do the findings reinforce the value of any local initiatives and, if so, which ones?
Yes, there is a close tie between the findings and the Crossroads Charlotte effort that is working to address many of our deficits.
What questions does the study raise for you?
If we have known these are the issues that need to be addressed (and have heard it time and time again), why haven’t we had the civic will to address them?
Vivian Neal is Knight's program director in Fort Wayne and Akron.