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responded — six percent — said “taxes too high.” Schools and jobs were cited most often, with 27 people (22 percent) maintaining “need better public education” and 26 people calling for more job opportunities. Other areas cited as the county’s greatest problem included unrealistic zoning laws, trash collection and the need for new officials in local govenment (eight percent each), lack of housing and uncontrolled growth (seven percent), growth without planning (five percent), maintaining a rural atmosphere (four percent), need for a new landfill (three percent) and roads (just over one percent).
Asked what they liked best about living in Rappahannock County, the overwhelming majority gave answers related to Rappahannock’s rural, agricultural character. Seventyseven percent cited one of the following: rural atmosphere, quietness, natural environment, private, secluded yet close to urbanization, farming community and not overpopulated. Twenty percent liked the friendly people here, two percenj the safety and one percent the low taxes.
Those polled agreed generally on the need for wider employment opportunities — 85 percent wanted more jobs — but they split on what kind they wanted to see in Rappahannock. Forty-eight percent said yes to comme.rcial/retail/wholesale; 31 percent said no. Forty-eight percent said yes to industrial/manufacturing; 41 percent said no. Fifty percent said yes to construction; 32 percent said no. Forty-six percent said yes to technical; 31 percent said no. Fifty-five percent said yes to tourism; 34 percent said no. The closest agreement came with farm related jobs and agri-business: 71 percent said they wanted to see more agricultural jobs here while 17 percent answered no.
Noting that Rappahannock’s population went from 5,200 in 1970 to 6,100 today, the pollsters asked for preference on future growth. Only 4.8 percent wanted to see the county experience substantial growth with a population expanding to over 12,000. Forty-two percent favored moderate growth with a population of 8,500 and 38 percent chose minimal growth with the population remaining below 7,000.
Assessing the county’s housing needs, 47 percent called for more single family residences, 34 percent a mix of single family, townhouse/condominiums and apartments and eight percent apartments. Less than
92.8%