Oshkosh, here's how to share your views of the city in an online survey, and more news in weekly dose
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OSHKOSH - City of Oshkosh is conducting a comprehensive quality of life survey for all residents.
According to a news release, the survey was designed to provide a baseline of how the city government is serving residents, to gauge perceptions of the city and to make comparisons with peer cities.
Residents are invited to complete the survey online by visiting https://polco.us/oshkosh23op.
Some residents have already received the survey by mail as part of a sample group.
The survey is open to all residents through May 19.
City staff have been working with independent consultant the National Research Center at Polco to develop the survey. Known as the National Community Survey, it allows the city to benchmark residents’ opinions against other similar communities.
The survey includes questions about quality of life in the community, local policies, demographics, ratings of local government services and resident use of services.
The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. Survey responses are confidential and no identifying information will be shared, the city said.
The NCS is a scientific survey format used in more than 350 jurisdictions across 46 states. Oshkosh has been conducting citizen surveys annually since 2009, and 2023 marks the second year that Oshkosh has utilized the NCS format.
Survey results are expected in mid-June and will be used to inform and identify priorities for future planning and how best to allocate resources, the city said.
Survey results will be made available via the city of Oshkosh website.
Residents with questions about the survey may contact the city manager’s office by phone at 920-236-5002 or by email at citymgr@ci.oshkosh.wi.us.
Welcome to your weekly dose.
Here is more news from throughout Winnebago County in your weekly dose.
▶ Oshkosh’s Wisconsin Herd earns NBA G League Franchise of the Year: The Wisconsin Herd, the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, was recognized as the 2022-23 NBA G League Franchise of the Year.
This is the first time the Wisconsin Herd has won the league’s prestigious award since its inaugural season in 2017-18.
The team was also awarded 2022-23 Promotion of the Year for the “Be the Light” Black History Month Celebration Platform.
A selection committee composed of league executives determined the winner of the Franchise of the Year Award. All 30 teams were evaluated.
The Herd drew large crowds at Oshkosh Arena playing before an average of 87% of capacity for 24 home games, selling out 11 of those contests, and more than doubling the number of sellouts from 2021-22.
Wisconsin also set a single-game team attendance record on its fifth annual School Day, welcoming a franchise-best 4,138 fans.
For the “Be the Light” Black History Month Celebration program, the team partnered with artist Patrick “Patcasso” Hunter to paint 12 portraits of 13 influential Black leaders that were sublimated onto the jerseys worn by the Herd during the Feb. 7 game and auctioned off to raise funds for the Harold Lefty Williams DARE2DREAM foundation.
Wisconsin also facilitated a shoe-design workshop in collaboration with STEAM Revolt at Perry Tipler Middle School and displayed the 12 portraits at the UW-Oshkosh Steinhilber Gallery for the month of February. Former NBA player and current TNT analyst Kenny “The Jet” Smith received a custom Herd jersey and shared it on “NBA on TNT,” live from their studio.
For more about the Wisconsin Herd, visit wisconsinherd.com or call 920-233-HERD.
▶ Legislators plan joint budget listening session: Winnebago County legislators are inviting the community to a joint budget listening session from 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 15 at the Coughlin Center, 625 E. County Road Y, Oshkosh.
Expected to participate are Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara and representatives Nate Gustafson, Mike Schraa, Lori Palmeri and Lee Snodgrass. Invited but not confirmed to attend is Sen. Dan Feyen.
Anyone with questions about the event can contact Rep. Gustafson’s office at 608-237-9155.
▶ Local history author to hold book signing at Caramel Crisp: Local author Ron La Point, will be at the Caramel Crisp Bookstore for an author chat and book signing. The event will be at 5:30 p.m. May 24 at 200 City Center, Oshkosh.
La Point, a lifelong resident of Oshkosh, is the author of “Oshkosh Veterans of Foreign Wars.” A former high school history teacher, he has a passion for sharing the lives and histories of the people of Oshkosh. This is his seventh book on local history and documents stories of local veterans from all branches of service.
He will be joined by Air Force Veteran Duane Canon, who served in Vietnam from 1968-69.
▶ Boys & Girls Club honored at national conference for fundraising efforts: The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh received the Major Gifts Program Award at the 117th Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Conference held earlier this month in Orlando, Florida.
CEO Tracy Ogden, board president Jeff Trembly and several staff members were in attendance to accept the award given for the club’s work on the Whatever It Take to Build Great Futures Capital Campaign in support of its building expansion and community center project.
“As a Club, we are honored to receive this award for our fundraising efforts,” said Ogden. “We are excited that with this expansion and 24 partners already committed to the new community center, we’ll be able to serve so many more children and families. Our fundraising work isn’t done yet, but with the community’s help, I’m confident we will reach our goal.”
To help the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh reach its $18 million goal, donations can be made online at bgcosh.org/donate, by calling 920-233-1414, or send an email to tracyo@bgcosh.org.
▶ Volunteers help boost local nonprofits during United Way's Day of Caring: Oshkosh Area United Way held its annual Day of Caring May 3. More than 170 volunteers from 24 businesses and organizations performed 26 community service projects at 19 organizations.
Some of the project included prepping and painting rooms for new residents at the Oshkosh COTS; preparing the new vegetable garden at Casa Esther in Omro; painting a new community room at Lakeside Packaging Plus; cleaning living spaces at Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services; unloading and organizing donations of diapers and basic essentials at the NEW Oshkosh Area United Way; sorting t-shirts for the upcoming 5K for NAMI Oshkosh; and writing welcome cards, birthday acknowledgments, and notes of kindness for members of Lakeland Care.
For more about OAUW, visit VolunteerOshkosh.org.
▶ Oshkosh Arena brings Johnny Lee, Oak Ridge Boys to stage: Oshkosh Arena, 1212 S. Main St., has announced a pair of upcoming shows.
Johnny Lee and The Urban Cowboy Band featuring Jeannie Seely will take the stage at 7 p.m. May 20 with doors opening at 6 p.m.
And June 16, the Oak Ridge Boys will bring their “Front Porch Singin’” tour to the arena for an 8 p.m. show with doors opening at 7 p.m.
Order tickets and find more details online at oshkosharena.com or call 920-744-2039.
Read last week's top stories:
Road construction: Oshkosh, here's what to know as road work begins on these two streets, including closures
Business news: Hotel group buys Oshkosh’s Best Western Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center with plans for major renovation. Plus, more business news.
Warming shelter: Oshkosh's Day by Day warming shelter opens with open house
Misconduct complaint: Oshkosh attorney files misconduct complaint against Winnebago County Judge Scott Woldt
Special needs housing: New home, with funding from Winnebago County, will help address housing crisis for adults with special needs
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This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh survey seeks citizen input on making city better place to live
