People in Orange County still feel decision makers in their community are not responsive to public opinion. In 2002, a majority, 53%, of Orange County residents felt there was a disconnect between individuals in positions to make decisions for the community and the public, and 41% felt local leaders were, in fact, in step with public opinion.
In Orange County, the publics’ perspective on this topic has remained stable over the past five years. 57% of county residents now think leaders view things differently than the average citizen. Only 38% think local decision makers’ views are in sync with public sentiment.
While the perceptions of residents in Orange County have not changed much since 2002, there has been a change in attitude among residents residing across the Mid-Hudson region. At that time, Orange County was one of only two counties where more than half of the residents felt their local leaders were out of step with the public. Orange County is no longer an outlier. Residents across the region are now more skeptical of their leaders’ responsiveness, and Orange County residents’ opinions on this topic are now consistent with the attitudes of the average Mid-Hudson Valley resident.
