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“The Cobalt Citizen Satisfaction Survey provides public officials with credible,fact-driven direction for action that supports quality decision-making,” saidWilliam SaintAmour, Executive Director of Cobalt Community Research. “Suchcitizen-focused performance measurement also supports local governments` effortsto engage citizens in the strategic planning and budgeting process and promotesaccountability citizens are calling for. While this baseline study serves as anational benchmark, progress can only be measured if individual communitiesparticipate in this process.” According to the survey, citizen satisfaction levels vary significantlydepending on gross income, race, and education level. Non-white citizens andthose with lower income and education report lower levels of satisfaction; theyare less likely to remain in their communities and less willing to recommend thearea as a good place to live. Average scores across all measures for citizensreporting annual household incomes of less than $25,000 are about 10 pointslower than for those earning $100,000 or more. The full report, including industry analyses, is available for download at nocharge at or at About CFI GroupCFI Group () turns “voice of the customer” survey data intocustomer satisfaction improvement strategies.

Inventors of the University ofMichigan`s American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), CFI Group is able toapply this technology to identify product and service improvements that willmaximize ROI. For over twenty years, CFI Group has applied ACSI best practicesworldwide to help clients drive customer loyalty, recommendations, and firmvalue. CFI Group`s clients include the American Cancer Society, ArrowElectronics, AT&T South, Best Buy, British Telecom, Barclay`s Bank, DIRECTV,Home Shopping Network, Toys `R Us, UPS, NASA, and Yahoo! About Cobalt Community ResearchCobalt Community Research is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission toprovide research and educational tools that help local governments thrive aschanges emerge in the economic, demographic and social landscape Cobalt islocated in Lansing, MI. CFI GroupCourtney Jenkins, orChaat Butsunturn, 415-391-7900 Copyright Business Wire 2009. The Lakers are through to the Western Conference finals, but who would they rather play?The New Orleans Hornets and San Antonio Spurs will square off on Monday in Game 7 of the series. The winner will go on to play the Lakers in the conference finals.Both teams are worthy of being in the finals, but there can only be one.Personally, I don’t mind who the Lakers play, because either way it’s going to be a tough match up.The Spurs have, in my opinion, the best power forward to ever play the game in Tim Duncan.

His numbers have been down this season compared to last, but regular-season numbers mean nothing when its playoff time.Defensively, he has been outstanding during the playoffs, averaging 13.3 rebounds and 2.27 blocks per game. Even with his increased effort on the defensive end, he has still played his part on offense, scoring 19.5 points per game.The Spurs also have one of the top point guards in the league, last year’s finals MVP. Tony Parker has increased his points per game by six to 24.3 points per game.During the playoffs, Parker has been shooting an amazing 51 percent. Despite not being known for his three-point shooting, he has still managed to shoot at 46 percent from beyond the arc.Even though he’s taking more responsibility scoring, Parker still finds time to get his teammates involved, dishing 6.4 assists.Mr. Sixth Man of the year, Manu Ginobili, has taken up the starting role during the playoffs. This has not affected his numbers in the slightest.Scoring 19.5 points per game, Ginobili is one of the league’s most consistent scorers. He’s carried that on through the playoffs, and like Parker, he is getting his teammates involved as well as scoring.