Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - Where do people in your community gather or socialize?
  - How and where does your community access services (healthcare, transportation, educational services, etc.)?

Examples of activities and services: Shopping areas, schools and universities, libraries, parks, lakes, rivers, places of worship, healthcare services, public transport, local nonprofit organizations, etc.

Your response: The elementary and secondary school buildings for the district are in the village. The lake, the museums, the Clark Sports Center, the Glimmerglass opera, art venues, and the churches bring the village together. The largest employer is Bassett Healthcare. It's a walking village; services are accessible by walking from all parts of the village. For those living outside the village, getting to these places requires a car. Buses run from the village to the nearest city.

Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - What are the cultural bonds in your community?
  - If your community has a shared history, what is it?

Examples of cultural or historical interests: Religious groups, ethnic groups, languages, age groups, immigration status, historic or arts districts, etc.

Your response: There are many performance-related institutions--the opera, the museums, a winter and summer concert series, choral groups, a popular film festival in November. The Cooperstown Graduate program brings graduate students to our community from around the country.

Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - Where are residents employed?
  - If there are environmental concerns in your community, what are they?

Examples of economic or environmental interests: Tourism industry, agricultural workers, mining town, manufacturing center, polluted natural resource, unemployment problem, etc.

Your response: My community sits on beautiful Lake Otsego, the headwaters of the Susquehanna River. What happens on that lake or to the lake will eventually flow into the Chesapeake Bay. It is a place of natural beauty, a source of recreation, and an economic engine for the area. the lake is the drinking water source for the village. It's expensive to keep the water clean as it flows back into the river.

Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - What should politicians and/or map drawers know about your community?
  - What are the needs of your community?
  - Is there anything else you want to tell us about your community?

Examples of needs or concerns: Keep community in the same district or separate into multiple districts, shared policy concerns, need for a social service, relationship to other nearby communities, issues with current district lines

Your response: Housing is difficult for moderate income families as many of the houses are owned by seasonal residents. Rental units are in great demand since many homes are only rented in the summer. Owners can charge more for that season than for a whole year's lease.