http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_3872552

Article Launched: 05/27/2006 04:27:17 AM PDT

Leonard challenges Marina Center poll

Kimberly Wear The Times-Standard

EUREKA -- Councilman Jeff Leonard said Friday he was “challenging” any group who conducts a poll on the Balloon Tract to release all information, while questioning the results released by Marina Center opponents Citizens for Real Economic Growth.

He said the poll questions and responses should be made part of the public record.

Earlier this week, CREG said its poll showed a majority of those surveyed were against a big box store at the site. They cited responses to the statement, “A big box retail complex is not the best use for the last large piece of waterfront in Eureka,” reporting that 42 percent of respondents said they strongly agreed and 19 percent somewhat agreed.

Three percent were undecided, 15 percent disagreed and 21 percent strongly disagreed, the release stated.

”I believe CREG exaggerated and misrepresented the true results of their own poll,” Leonard said. “I believe CREG's claim of 'majority support' is another Balloon Tract fairy tale. I challenge CREG to make their entire poll public. I challenge CREG to let the people of Eureka see all of the questions asked and all of the results. I challenge CREG to make public the actual document their political strategists at Evans/McDonough produced.”

The CREG response was pointed.

”Councilman Leonard should spend more time representing the public interests, than Security National interests,” spokesman Larry Glass said.

Rob and Cherie Arkley, owners of Security National and the Eureka Reporter, are close to buying the contaminated former rail yard from Union Pacific where they plan to build the Marina Center. Plans for the 500,000-square-foot development include a Home Depot, shops, restaurants, offices and housing on an adjacent parcel.

Security National has conducted its own poll. Results could be released next week. Representatives did not respond to requests for comment about Leonard's assertions that all questions and answers should be released.

”If CREG commissioned a legitimate survey of public opinion on this issue, that information should be part of the public record so the City Council can use it as part of our decision-making process,” Leonard said. “The community should be allowed to verify whether or not their polling was legitimate.”

Leonard said he realizes there are differing opinions about the proposed project.

”If people want me to base my decision on a poll they've taken, then I need to see those results and be able to analyze them,” he said.

Evans/McDonough Co. Inc., which conducted CREG's poll, has done opinion research and strategic consulting since 1989, according to the company website.

Kimberly Wear covers the cities of Eureka and Arcata. She can be reached at 441-0512 or kwear@times-standard.com