If you go to pollster Adam Probolsky’s web site you will find a listing of Probolsky Research services which includes the following bullet points:
“Move public opinion” and “provide cover for decision makers.”
In my October 26th post, relating to a survey of Mission Viejo creating its own school district, I referenced one of Adam’s remarks which reads in part “we found some numbers, all in our favor,…” all in our favor? I thought polls were to provide a snapshot of the true thoughts and opinions of those contacted. Larry, you didn’t just fall off the back of a turnip truck. Don’t be so naive.
Timing of polls is everything. Case in point.
According to the cover page, the Probolsky survey of 325 Mission Viejo voters was conducted between Aug 19th and Aug 23rd. Two weeks later, on Sept 8, 2009, the city attorney files a law suit against the SVUSD prior to city council discussion or approval. It is important to point out that the same RW&G City attorney, without council knowledge, retained the services of Probolsky Research to conduct this poll.
If the dates were reversed the survey could have included questions such as:
Are you aware of the city council action in filing a lawsuit against the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, SVUSD?
If so, do you support the lawsuit?
If so, do you oppose the lawsuit?
This group of questions should also include a projected cost of the potential litigation.
Would these questions have altered the survey outcome? You bet they would!
Another nugget found in the Probolsky poll is question #5.Mi The majority of Mission Viejo students attend SVUSD schools which is the same district that created this knee jerk reaction caused by the SVUSD closure of O’Neill elementary school.
Question # 5 reads: “Now I have a list of names of several organizations that I am going to read. For each name, please tell me if you have heard of them and if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of them. If you have no opinion or have not heard of them, just say so.”
The first name on the list is the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. The Probolsky results stated that 24.9% of those contacted responded “very favorable,” 34.8% said “somewhat favorable” while only 3.7% responded “very unfavorable” with 5.2% answering “somewhat unfavorable.” The remainder had no opinion, unsure, never heard of or refused to respond.
To me this is a “slam dunk” of support yet that is not the “spin” as generated in our city managers newsletter.
“Move public opinion” and “provide cover for decision makers.”
Hey, what a guy, huh?
Can you really trust a guy who is willing to sop up Mike Duvall’s sloppy seconds? It’s hard to take his polling seriously anymore and your example is a prime example.
Adam is just a tool trying to make money through inappropriate means. Even thieves need a legit cover operation just to make sure they don’t get caught easily. Trust me this guy will end up in jail in future.
Adam is a well known quantity here in Irvine. He does good work, but he is regarded as “gun for hire.” Nothing wrong with that; he’s got some nifty car payments to make. But sometimes he gets a little too focused on his car payments and forgets which side he is supposed to be on.
That’s what cost him his seat on the Planning Commission.
Tyler H.
Thanks for the info. I was not aware that Adam served on Irvine’s Planning Commission
@4
The only good work Adam does is at food table. That’s the problem with politics these days there are too many “gun for hire” types who have scant regard for the ordinary people and upholding the constitution of this great nation. We all have payments to make but we don’t sell our souls.
Good article. Probolsky may have “provided cover,” but the survey contract was payback from Frank Ury to his out-of-town financiers. This isn’t the biggest check, but it is the most direct — from the city coffers to a Ury handler.
Ury’s axe to grind against SVUSD goes way back. Right after he was dumped off the school board, SVUSD got sued. The lawsuit didn’t have Ury’s name on it, but his fingerprints were all over it.
Did everyone hear the city attorney’s explanation of why Probolsky was selected? Bill Curley said the city should spread the jobs around. Let’s use that rationale to spread the job of city attorney around to another firm.
maybe adam should do a survey on how not to eat so much. Does that guy even have a neck. His face fills that whole square. Why would he even drive a car. How would he even fit in one. He must drive a Hummer or a Mac Truck. People like that don’t make it to 50. I feel bad for the guy. Maybe he should survey all the NFL stars about Nutrisystem to see if it really worked. That might poll in “his favor”
Paulie.
While I have issues with Adam Probolsky’s handling of this poll we have a Juice policy whereby we do not permit personal attacks. You are surely welcome to add valid comments compliments and challenges to any of our stories
You never answered the question, larry.
Why are you so in favor of SVUSD taking 83% of MV student funds for other cities?
You can write articles, but can’t answer questions?
he is simply a shill for his pals. he does their polling and tells them they are ahead…you get what you pay for with adam and dez. i dont know who would trust him though. he and his brother do anything they can to get on board and on a payroll. they will take any job and run for anything available. we know these guys as sidhus and dumitrus.