Professor Avi Degnai and Dr. Rena Degnai recently conducted
an Institute for Geographical Research survey on Beitar. The
survey revealed that nearly 79 percent were satisfied with
their standard of living in Beitar. The survey also found
that 70 percent were satisfied with the services of the city
and its management.
The survey asked residents for their rating in various areas:
How much the quality of life has improved; The expenditures
and use of city tax dollars; The understanding and awareness
of the troubled youth and the way the city is working to
facilitate a remedy. The survey revealed that the city
services receive a high grade but especially the Moked.
In relation to the cultural division of the municipality, 44
percent said they participated in its activities. In the more
established sections of the community the participation was
55 percent, almost double that of the new section (Givat B),
Shchunat Hagefen, (28 percent). The activities with a high
awareness were: after school activities (28 percent),
lectures (26 percent) and city library (21 percent).
The Mehandeis (Engineering) division had received a high
satisfactory rating (58 percent). 90 percent wanted them to
work against building violations. 58 percent of the
population were satisfied with the services provided while 14
percent felt an improvement was needed.
The Moked services ("hotline") fell between very good and
excellent in satisfaction. This division received the highest
satisfactory rating of all city services (78 percent) while
less than 5 percent said otherwise. The security division had
a 70 percent satisfactory rating while 20 percent complained.
The education and psychology divisions were rated good by 61
percent while 11 percent said improvements were needed.
The division of taxes received a satisfactory rating of 69
percent while 11 percent felt an improvement was needed. 70
percent said that they knew where their tax dollars were
going. More than half of the population thought that their
dollars are going toward infrastructure-like projects while a
smaller percentage thought security, education, culture and
others. More than two-thirds of the population support taking
steps against people who don't pay their taxes.
According to the survey 65 percent felt that Beitar's
infrastructure division (municipality building of roads,
parks, city buildings) is doing a great job; 19 percent
disagree.
A third of the residents said that they have seen
improvements with the city's approach in dealing with the
troubled youth while another third disagree and feel it's
getting worse. The residents were divided about the type of
treatment the municipality was offering. Half of the
residents gave a grade of medium to high for the youth
departments' initiatives and activities to work on helping
this population while 16 percent complained.
The social services department received ratings within the
parameters. The majority was satisfied with their services
but felt that the waiting time is too long.
The survey also measured the satisfaction of the residents
between the different developments A and B. In the more
established community A, 73 percent were shown to be less
satisfied with the developments in their section. This
established section A turned more to the municipality for
issues than section B. Section B showed at 91 percent, a much
higher satisfaction rate about the city and its developments.
They don't seem to turn to the municipality with as many
complaints.
In summary, 71 percent of the residents were satisfied with
the job of the city. According to the breakdown by
neighborhoods, Beitar's municipality satisfaction approval
rates were as follows: 68 percent for section A and 78
percent in section B.
Mayor Rabbi Yitzchok Pindrus pointed out that this survey
gave a professional tool that will help improve services. The
municipality requested the study to survey a cross- section
of 501 adults from all sections of Beitar.
