By Nancy Young
Enquirer contributor

HANOVER TOWNSHIP - The 8,400 residents of this western Butler County township are finding surveys in their mailbox this week, asking their opinions on virtually every aspect of life in their community.

A joint project between Hanover Township Trustees and the Center for Public Management and Regional Affairs at Miami University, the survey's objective is to obtain information for use in planning for the future of this still-mostly rural area.

Hanover Trustees Mike Mignery, Doug Johnson and Tim Derickson hadn't known that Miami staff and students actively conducted surveys for many of the townships in Ohio's 88 counties.

"We met Dr. Phil Russo, who heads the Center for Public Management and Regional Affairs, at an annual conference and trade show for state townships held in Columbus last year," Derickson said.

"As an Oxford resident and graduate of Miami, I was particularly interested to learn about their survey work for other local governments."

Russo quickly agreed to work with Hanover Township for its own survey. The project is being done free of charge, while giving experience to Miami students who are majoring in public administration.

"These students are interested in pursuing careers in local government," Russo said.

"This project gives them a chance to apply the things they learn in class to the real world."

The students met with trustees several times before compiling the survey questions. They collated the survey mailing, then will tally results and analyze responses. Miami's Print Shop printed the surveys.

Derickson said it would cost $20,000-$30,000 to hire such survey work.

"The objective of the survey is to find out what residents like and dislike about township life, because, of course, they ultimately fund all services," Derickson said. "We also want to know what they hope to see in the future. We are the only township in Butler County that doesn't tax residents but instead relies on income from the State of Ohio through a local-government fund.

"The state has decreased funding and more cuts may be coming, so we must be frugal and ensure we are spending money in areas that our residents feel are important."

The 39-question survey includes topics such as township life, services, government, communication, public safety issues, zoning and enforcement, parks and recreation facilities and demographics.

Johnson said the survey results will be interesting to him not only as a trustee, but as a 26-year resident of the township.

Results are expected in December. Russo and his students anticipate 70 percent participation from township residents.