CHENANGO COUNTY – Of the 5,000-plus responses received for Senator Fred Akshar’s “Community Voice Survey,” 48 percent said that reducing regulations and red tape is the best way to stimulate job creation in the Southern Tier.

Another 95 percent believe that public officials who are found guilty of corruption in relation to their position should forfeit their pensions.

These are just some of the survey results which Senator Akshar (R-52nd District) released earlier this week. Akshar’s Community Voice Survey is a snapshot of where district residents, including those in Chenango County, stand on issues currently facing the region.

“Listening to the people has been my priority from day one,” said Akshar. “These past few months, I’ve been blessed to have had conversations throughout the 52nd district at our pop-up offices and other events, but there’s always more I can learn.”

Earlier this year, Akshar distributed the survey to residents throughout New York’s 52nd Senate District. Responses were collected via mail and online. Akshar’s office received more than 5,000 responses from folks weighing in on issues that range from the state’s business climate, to the heroin epidemic and ethics reform.

According to Akshar, the survey is a useful tool in determining the future direction of the Southern Tier.

“If we’re going to be successful as a community, elected officials need to be open and accessible to the people,” Akshar said. “This survey is another way to stay engaged with the people I represent.”

Survey highlights show that 29 percent favor enforcement as the thing that needs the most attention in the fight against the heroin epidemic. Another 28 percent believe it’s prevention, 25 percent say it’s treatment access, and 17 percent say it’s education.

When it comes to the proposal for a supervised heroin injection site to prevent overdose, a strong majority – 82 percent – said they don’t support the idea while 18 percent said they would.