With the start of a new year it is traditional to look back at some memorable happenings of the previous months. The People News will reflect these happenings by analyzing the monthly surveys posted on the publication's website www.thepeoplenews.com.

Each month, in order to better gauge reader sentiment, the online version of the The People News asks a survey question of those visiting the site. The survey seeks input, usually regarding the front page story and local issues to help provide insight and help understand the public's point of view.

Even though the surveys were not formulated and monitored scientifically, and it would have been possible for a special interest group to slant the results, they do seem to reflect the general sentiment of replies to official surveys conducted locally.

Click on the dates to read the story that goes with the survey.

January  2011
       
Would you support Cleveland Utilities installing "Smart Meters" into customers homes if they pass on the cost  in the form of higher utility bills?

YES-  46%        NO-  54%

February  2011
       
Would you support a 50% reduction in the number of federal employees to save money, even if services were adversely affected?

YES-  53%        NO-  47%

March  2011
       
Do you believe the Tennessee teachers union (TEA), have too much power in deciding the cost of teaching and education in the state?

YES-  51%        NO-  49%

April  2011
       
Do you believe the TVA are telling Tennesseans the whole truth about possible safety flaws in their electricity generating nuclear reactors?

YES-  46%        NO-  54%

May  2011
       
Do you believe the the Federal Government should ignore environmental groups and actively pursue self-sufficiency using known U.S. oil reserves?

YES-  53%        NO-  47%

June  2011
       
Do you believe by ignoring the 4th Amendment's right against unjustified search and seizure, the Patriot Act will make Americans safer and protect freedom?

YES-  46%        NO-  54%

July  2011
       
Do you believe states should fight lawsuits opposing legislation to curb illegal immigration and stop illegal immigrants from receiving help from health and other social programs?

YES-  50%        NO-  50%

August  2011
       
Do you believe Cleveland and Bradley County should be proactive and show leadership in identifying victims and enforcing Human Trafficking Laws?

YES-  54%        NO-  46%

September  2011
       
Would you support stricter law enforcement and harsher sentences given for crimes against active military personnel and their families?

YES-  52%        NO-  48%

October  2011
       
Do you support the ATF ban on firearms dealers in states that allow medical marijuana from selling guns or ammunition to registered users of the drug ?

YES-  49%        NO-  51%

November  2011
       
Do you believe it is okay for Shariah Law to be dominant over American Law when cases involve Muslims in American courts?

YES-  44%        NO-  56%

December 2011

Do you believe the Republican party leadership has been infiltrated by liberals posing as conservatives?

YES-  53%        NO-  47%


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Do you believe the military personnel responsible for ordering and facilitating the dumping of fallen soldiers remains in a landfill should be fired and prosecuted?
(See editorial on page 3)