"Among the preliminary findings: 55 percent of respondents who rent aspire to own, 75 percent name “upscale development” as the No. 1 threat to the community and almost 60 percent say good weather is the biggest draw to the island. "

- preliminary results of survey

Karen Larson's Study

Survey says island culture slipping

By Kyle Teal - article from Key Noter

Key West's division of class is spreading wider and residents feel their perception of cultural value is in jeopardy, a Minnesotan professor deduced from preliminary results of a survey she presented to about 40 residents at Old City Hall Monday.

Karen Larson's study, commissioned by the city, sums up the island pretty accurately: “It's one laid-back human family in a artsy, small-town paradise.”

And while salaries are not satisfying residents, Larson says it doesn't take lavish luxuries to make most Key Westers happy. Island residents, who put up with a lot of stress, are “tough,” she says. But that toughness doesn't wash away concerns for the future.

“There is a sense on the island that the future of the culture will be determined by money,” she said in an interview. “While that's partly the case, it's not entirely the case.”

People have to step up and make the city what they want, she said, reading suggestions from returned surveys, including more organized cleanups, and support for keeping Conchs in the community and for local business.

Larson stresses closing the divide between classes, if only by a small margin to start. But how can developers form symbiotic relationships with residents who are skeptical of them? And what about the widespread skepticism of local officials?

According to Larson, the answer is “capitalize” on the One Human Family philosophy: Face the fact that that idea is slipping and focus on unification of community, she says.

“If people want the right the right kind of place to live, they need to make it themselves,” she added. “It's not just the responsibility of the government.”

Among the preliminary findings: 55 percent of respondents who rent aspire to own, 75 percent name “upscale development” as the No. 1 threat to the community and almost 60 percent say good weather is the biggest draw to the island.

Environment, culture and social diversity were also attractive, while employment and family scored significantly higher in keeping workers here than attracting them.

Salary was rated the most important quality-of-life issue, with health care, housing and city cleanliness following close behind.

Transportation, day care and promotions ranked as the lowest factors contributing to quality of life.

City Commissioner Bill Verge spoke after Larson's presentation, stating that surveys will only tell residents what they already know - there isn't enough affordable housing. The survey results, he said, would be interchangeable with any completed in tourist-based towns across the country.

Larson mailed out 18,632 surveys to employers and received 2,200 back, which she calls a decent return. Her services will end up costing more than $18,000; a third of that she will pay out of her own pocket, she said.