Goldsboro News-Argus Opinion Poll

The Goldsboro City Council passed two dog ordinances Monday. 1) One bans the tethering of animals. 2) The other holds dog owners responsible for cleaning up after their animals on streets, public right of ways and private property. Was this a responsible use of the City Council's time?

Started on 03/03/2010

Yes. Dog owners need to be held responsible for their actions. Dogs should never be kept on a chain and poop is a major nuisance.: - 46%; (157 votes)
No. There are already laws in place to regulate the abuse of animals kept on chains and there's no way regulate dog poop, and it's a waste of city resources to try.: - 17%; (59 votes)
1) No 2) Yes. People should be told they need to clean up after their dogs. But there are already laws against animal abuse, and it's unreasonable to not allow responsible owners to tether their animals.: - 26%; (88 votes)
1) Yes 2) No. It is inhuman to ever chain a dog. But it will be impossible to regulate the poop.: - 11%; (38 votes)

Total Votes: 342

The 2010 Winter Olympics are underway and the United States is lurking near the top of the leaderboard. But what is the most engaging Olympic story this year?

Started on 02/17/2010

Lindsey Jacobellis flubbing her medal chances once again while showboating?: - 5%; (12 votes)
The fact Vancouver was selected as the host despite the known potential for warm, rainy weather?: - 20%; (46 votes)
Lindsey Vonn's injury and lucky days off to rest because of bad weather?: - 8%; (18 votes)
The safety of the luge track, which was drastically changed after one man died during a practice run?: - 44%; (102 votes)
Speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno's bid to become America's most decorated Winter Olympian?: - 24%; (56 votes)

Total Votes: 234

The Goldsboro City Council is getting ever-closer to a new Recreation Center downtown — and members say you are all for it. Well, are you?

Started on 02/04/2010

No, we do not need a recreation center.: - 48%; (250 votes)
Yes, the cheap money is available now. Why pay more later?: - 6%; (33 votes)
No, it is operating costs that I am worried about. Build it cheap, fine, but how will we pay for the rest?: - 16%; (84 votes)
Yes, this is the boost downtown needs to grow.: - 14%; (73 votes)
Yes, but redesign it. We need it to boost downtown, but make it fit in with the city's historic look.: - 15%; (78 votes)

Total Votes: 518

What did you think about the president's State of the Union speech?

Started on 01/28/2010

I thought it was more of the same — fancy speech, big promises, no base in reality.: - 51%; (278 votes)
I thought the president showed he understood that Americans' top priority right now is the economy — and is making that his top priority, too.: - 8%; (43 votes)
I did not care one way or the other about the speech — I want to see some action — and soon.: - 10%; (52 votes)
Washington is back in gridlock. That speech was no olive branch. Look out for more talk, less action.: - 11%; (60 votes)
The president spoke from his heart and stood strong. He is addressing the concerns of the country, while staying true to what he believes is best for it — that's what leaders are supposed to do.: - 20%; (109 votes)

Total Votes: 542

What do you think about Tuesday's Massachusetts Senate election?

Started on 01/20/2010

It was a vote of "no confidence" in Barack Obama and his presidency (no one specific issue).: - 39%; (177 votes)
It was a clear message that most Americans do not want health care reform in its present form.: - 34%; (154 votes)
It means nothing. People always want to throw out the incumbent party.: - 12%; (55 votes)
It means Martha Coakley can't run a campaign — nothing more.: - 11%; (52 votes)
It means the nation is solidly Republican and will vote so in 2012.: - 4%; (17 votes)

Total Votes: 455

What do you think about checks at airports?

Started on 01/11/2010

We need more, not less, checking at airports. Do full body scans of all passengers.: - 36%; (123 votes)
We need to profile potential terrorist suspects and check them the most thoroughly.: - 36%; (125 votes)
Profiling is prejudice. Random searches are the way to go.: - 2%; (6 votes)
Our system is failing. We need to get serious quickly, before something happens.: - 21%; (71 votes)
Our system missed one. We have some tightening up to do, but we are safe.: - 6%; (21 votes)

Total Votes: 346

What do you think should be the top priority for the leaders in Washington in 2010?

Started on 01/07/2010

Health care - Keep pushing for reform.: - 8%; (20 votes)
Health care - Undo the damage that has been done.: - 15%; (35 votes)
Homeland security (keeping us safe here): - 12%; (28 votes)
War - Bringing the troops home.: - 7%; (16 votes)
War - Putting Muslim extremists (and the countries that harbor them) out of business once and for all.: - 16%; (38 votes)
The economy - We need jobs now.: - 43%; (102 votes)

Total Votes: 239

What do you think about the state of the economy?

Started on 12/15/2009

It is getting better, but slowly.: - 16%; (137 votes)
Until there are more jobs, we are not in a recovery.: - 26%; (216 votes)
The economy is holding its own for now, but there is more bad news coming.: - 4%; (37 votes)
The stimulus package helped and we are on the mend.: - 5%; (43 votes)
The stimulus package did not help — it was just a fix for show — and more bad news in on the way.: - 48%; (400 votes)

Total Votes: 833

Given the authority, how would you go about solving the problem posed by the racial unbalance and relatively poor performance of Goldsboro High School?

Started on 12/01/2009

Redraw the district lines so that more white students attend the school.: - 16%; (117 votes)
Close the school and bus inner city students to outlying high schools.: - 27%; (196 votes)
Keep district lines as they are and spend more money on making Goldsboro High a school that all parents would want their children to attend.: - 57%; (419 votes)

Total Votes: 732

It is time to shop until you drop. What is your prediction for the holiday shopping season based on your own holiday plans?

Started on 11/30/2009

I am planning to cut my budget and buy fewer gifts this year.: - 51%; (50 votes)
I will spend the same amount on my family as in years past, but I will cut back on other gifts.: - 12%; (12 votes)
I am spending the same amount as last year.: - 20%; (20 votes)
I am buying more, but less expensive gifts.: - 5%; (5 votes)
I am buying for my children only.: - 11%; (11 votes)

Total Votes: 98

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