A community assessment was conducted on Colton, New York. Various interviews from community leaders, members and professional were utilized in order to provide a personal analysis of the community. Meanwhile, literature and various written materials were analyzed to provide an account supported by historical and statistical analysis. This survey will now present the information collected, concentrating on the place, people and community systems.
Place
The town of Colton was established in 1843, after first being surveyed in 1776. Located at the foothills of the Adirondack mountain range and the Raquette River runs through the western part of town. Since it’s early foundation, mercantile businesses have been prominent in Colton (Curtis). Developments dot the landscape, although a majority of the land is undeveloped. There is an air of intentionality with these areas, as if the land is being preserved along with its rich history. The diverse foliage also highlights the culture surrounding outdoor recreation. The streets are well kept. Several plaques dot the streets, offering more information about buildings, landmarks and general tradition.
The rurality of the town continues throughout its neighborhoods. Homeowners appear to own larger plots of land compared to more commercialized neighborhoods. Still, the home prices are warranted as affordable in comparison to the annual household income. They are deemed so affordable that approximately 59.5% of the population own a home (HomeArea). Even so, the town established Hill Top Manor. This housing project provides subsidized housing to seniors and the disabled through United Helpers.
Moreover, expansions and developments continue to increase over the years. The variety of homes seen range from those that are newly built, to the historical or those of the trailer community. Those along the waters’ edge are newly developed, possessing private water accesses and docks. These are constructed by privately owned businesses. Moving closer to the center of town lies the historical homes. These are marked by plagues sponsored by the Historical Society of Colton, and preserved in order to maintain the historical integrity of the town. On the far southern side of the town lies the Eastern Estates trailer community with various amenities including water hookups and septic tanks. Colton lacks a centralized sewage system, so septic tanks are a commonly seen in the rural areas. In terms of energy, homes are commonly heated with fuel oil, wood or gas. Per interview, many homes pump well water into their homes. In the northern part of town, the river has a fall that generates enough power to become a source of power for the town (Curtis). Interestingly, back up generators are a common sight on the outside or in store sheds near the homes, indicating the need in case of dropped power lines during the winter.
Many of the grocery stores within town are small convenience stores, family owned shops or privately owned businesses (Town of Colton). The charm of the town is enhanced through antique stores, jewelry and art workshops, gun shops and services passed down through multiple generations. Although family owned shops continue to dominate Colton’s market, the popular attitude of the population is to travel at least fifteen miles to a corporate shopping center. In regards to the shopping situation, one citizen stated, “If you need something, we go to Boyce’s [General Store]. But everything’s cheaper at Walmart.”
Roads
Overall, the roads are well maintained. Due to the close proximity, the villages of upstate New York are connected by single lane traffic or two-way roads. Traffic within Colton is directed only by stop and yield signs. As seen in figure 2, 94% of workers 16 years and older, transport to work in their own vehicles, 6% of individuals work from home and 1% bicycle or walk to work. Public transportation is only available through the public education system. A majority of the services are condensed onto one street, while the rest of the privately owned businesses are operated from the individual’s home. This eliminates the need for public transportation within the town. Even so, a majority of the population travels less than twenty minutes outside of Colton for work. See figure 3 for more details.
In reality, one side street maintains proper sidewalk while the other side of the street has the shoulder of the road. A crossing guard is present during the academic school year at the crosswalk nearest to the school. However, children are still walking on the shoulder of the road to reach their residences. While improvements need to be made, and advocates are necessary in order to protect the community.
People
The third point of interest of a community is the people. According to the 2010 Census, the total population of the area is 1,868 persons with 52% of the population being male and 48% female (SuburbanStats). People are generally open, engaging in eye contact and light conversation while idle. Stereotypical of a small town, it is evident that newcomers are easily spotted. The community’s quick observation only lends itself to openness, curiosity and conversation with visitors. Figure 4 below provides a visual representation of the diversity in Colton. A significant majority of the population is white. This majority lends itself to a lack of diversity within the culture of the area and its surrounding environment.
The prominence of education is discussed later in the report. But it is important to keep in mind how public education impacts the population attracted to settle within the area. There is one public institution for pre-school to high school students. Nuclear families make up the highest percentage of the population as illustrated in figure 5. However, more than half the births in this area are of mothers between the ages of 25 years and 29 years. None of these women receive public assistance. See figure 6. This seems to attest to the change of the definition of family and societal message to have children regardless of marital status.
Employment
Care should be taken to clearly define employment and unemployment. Within the constructs of this academic presentation, people must actively be looking for work in order to be classified as unemployed. These individuals contribute to the overall unemployment rate of 13%. On the other hand, the labor force will strictly include those presently employed at the time of data collection for these sources. 73% of the population actively participates in the labor force rate. It should be noted that the labor force does not include students, homemakers, retired workers, seasonal workers not currently looking for work. The remaining 27% are documented as neither employed or looking for work. Even so, the poverty line is defined by the family’s total income less than a certain threshold depending on family size, composition and age (CityData).
The general understanding of employment in Colton is then gathered with the stated definitions in mind. Several industries have declined since the foundation of the town,, namely saw mills, mines, factories and tanneries. Over the years, many have since been abandoned. “The lumbering business finally decreased largely on account of the long distance which the manufactured lumber had to be hauled” (Curtis). The top three leading occupations are construction, educational services and public administration. For further inquiries regarding the specific occupations, figure 8 is cited below. Keep in mind the small businesses mentioned earlier in this presentation. 48.1% work for private company and/or are self-employed (Town of Colton). This statistic takes into account the family owned business lining the main street.
The average income is $39,792. The Household Income Inequality value is 41.9. HomeArea calculates this value using the “Gini coefficient. Lower values indicate that household income is spread evenly across the income groups. Higher values indicate that one income group is much more common than others” (HomeArea). Private conclusions can be drawn from these calculations, but will not be discussed further in this particular windshield survey that intends to provide a general assessment of this community.
The current state of the country has concentrated on the gender pay gap. This paper will take into account this focus, and will briefly discuss findings under this topic. Women who work in Colton generally make around 41.08% of what men do. To be clear, much of that different may be due to the hours worked, chosen occupations, education and job experience. The calculation is meant to portray the different related to discrimination, difference in ability or willingness to negotiate pay. Proper calculation to compare men and women with similar qualifications is difficult. “For these reasons, differences in the gender pay shown here may be more likely to show the gender ideals in an area than the discriminatory practices” (HomeArea).
Economy
A snapshot of the economy in Colton has been analyzed. The overall cost of living in Colton is lower than that of the state. Nevertheless, these rates are higher than that of the United States average. The sales tax rate is The sales tax rate is 8.0%; US average 6.0%. The income tax rate for Colton is 6.5%; US average 4.6% (BestPlaces).
Recreation
Colton’s culture is visibly centered around outdoor recreation and largely supported by the natural environment. A large portion of the largest part of town is sandy, hilly and rocky. Still, much of it is covered in forest and sparsely settled. Cranberry Lake lies in the southern part of the town, with Oswegatchie River flowing out of the area (Curtis). Recent renovations and improvements have appeared to have made in the surrounding area as recreation can be found year around as many parks offer full amenities for boating at the lake or camping on island beaches. Heavily wooded areas in the spring and fall, sandy beaches of the Raquette River (Town of Colton) in the summer, and snowshoeing and XC skiing in the winters. Many trails of varying levels of difficulty, and are advertised to range from family-friendly to advanced (Town of Colton). From neighborhood centers to lodges for quick getaways, social programs are available for all ages to encourage education and activity. A variety of organizations and associations contribute to the maintenance of these areas.
It should be noted that while Colton thrives in terms of exercise and education in all aspects, a prevalent problem arises in the adolescent population: underage drinking without parental consent. Per resident and adolescent interviews, the problem has been present for a number of years. A young resident mentioned, “People have been drinking since they were in eighth grade… you’ve got parties in woods, or ones where a whole bunch of kids drink near the back country roads and burn tires and whatever else… Kids don’t have much to do on the weekend outside of school and sports.”
Religion
Another important aspect to take into account regarding Colton’s population is religion. Historically, the first “religious meetings held in town [are] said to be by the ‘Christian’ sect” and a missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints also baptized several converts. The first church was Universalist, organizing in 1851. The building itself has since been sold and services have been discontinued. A few other protestant denominations establishes churches over the years that have since closed, including the Methodists and Baptists (Curtis). 64% of the population does not identify with a religion (HomeArea). There are three churches established in the area: Colon Wesleyan Church, Zion Episcopal Church and St. Patrick Catholic Church (Curtis). There is one funeral home that offers post-mortem services for the community (Town of Colton).
Politics
According to census data, Colton has fluctuated in terms of party association. The voting majority changed from voting in favor of the democratic candidate to the republican candidate. The difference in 20 years is significant.
Public Health and Morbidity
For the purposes of this review, Colton’s health and morbidity will be analyzed. The adult diabetes rate and the adult obesity rate in Colton is higher than the state statistic. The adult obesity rate in Colton is 8.5%, New York 8.2%. The obesity rate is 29.6%, whereas New York is 23.8%. School programs at the central school are reportedly in place, such as after school programs educating about the importance of proper nutrition and exercise. In terms of the low-income preschool population, the obesity rate is below the state rate (15.6%) at 13.3% (CityData).
The health services in the immediate area are relatively diverse in their expertise, but there are few options near Colton. A vast majority of services and the hospital are all north of Colton in a neighboring town, Potsdam. One doctor is present, associated with the Canton-Potsdam Medical Center. For emergent care, individuals travel ten miles north to the town for the Canton-Potsdam Hospital. For alternative methods of treatment, there is a massage therapist and an acupuncture center within 20 miles. A majority of the individuals visit the Health Serves of Northern New York, Inc. CHHA or the Canton-Potsdam Acute Care Hospital. There is also Potsdam Nursing Home. Other services related to health include social services, including privately owned childcare services (Town of Colton).
Education
As previously stated, education holds weight in terms of attracting a certain population to an area. 86.5% of the population have received a high school diploma (United States Zipcodes). The sole public school, Colton-Pierrepont Central School (CPCS), accepts pre-school through senior high school students (CityData). The student to teacher ratio varies around 8:1 (BestPlaces). According to 2017 census data, 82% of children between three to seventeen years of age are enrolled at the public school. A school representative gave the following statement: “Our teachers, faculty and staff are passionate about promoting social and emotional learning practices. Our curriculum goes beyond the necessary standards of education, and aims to equip students with the necessary tools for success beyond our school walls. For instance, one of our teachers recently incorporated a new program. She taught students how to use movement and mindfulness activities to prepare the mind and body for learning, and to strengthen skills relating to focus and self-regulation.”
In terms of primary health promotion, students are actively involved in extracurricular activities including sports. “Everyone plays a sport, even if you’re not good. The school’s so small that if we didn’t, we wouldn’t have teams. So getting people to play is easy since there’s positive peer pressure and you want to be with your friends,” one student stated. Facilities in the school are utilized, and posters can be seen for fundraisers raising money for updates. Swift Field in South Colton underwent recent renovations, including updating public restrooms, an outdoor court, new goals donated on behalf of the community for the soccer fields and new park for families with young children.
In regards to higher education, many options are available within the surrounding area. There are seven universities within a 100 mile radius of Colton, varying from community colleges, SUNY (State University of New York) colleges and private universities. United States Zipcodes reports the progressive decline of individuals who have received higher education in the population.
The public school also encourages higher education in a variety of ways. Students can attend a trade school twice a week to acquire certifications while in high school. In addition, all high school students attend “Colts’ Day” hosted at a university in the area. Through a series of talks and tours, students can hear about opportunities available on each campus. Different seminars are also available to prepare and guide individuals through the planning process, whether that be in university or in future careers.
Tradition
As previously stated, historical preservation is a primary focus. The Colton Museum, several information centers and social associations are dedicated to the effort (Town of Colton). Plaques dotting the streets offer information about landmarks, culture and tradition. Public institutions, such as the Hepburn Library, also engage the public through a variety of social programs for all ages (CityData). Programs geared toward public health education are run from the the Public Health Department for St. Lawrence County. Their work stresses individual and community well-being, utilizing the culture’s interest in outdoor recreation (St. Lawrence County Public Health Department).
Media travels mostly through word of mouth, but individuals of all ages can be seen on front porches or in diners reading newspapers of the highlights of the town. The use of social media and the internet is rapidly increasing. Minutes from the town meetings are even uploaded through the town website (Town of Colton). There is also one radio station and local broadcasting station that services the county (CityData).
Safety
The basic safety institutions have been established in Colton. The infrastructure of the town is managed by the fire departments, water & sewer plants, town transfer station and AmbitEnergy. In a communal sense, a resident offers private insight about community systems. “The whole town is very close. We don’t get a whole lot of new people; families have been around for years. While they continue to spread [to other parts of upstate New York], they stay within the area and [the community] hear[s] from them every now and again. People always say that it takes a village to raise a children, and our community truly reflects that.”
Trust is evident in the body language and demeanor of those speaking the population. Beginning between neighbors, camaraderie spreads into the hamlet’s government system. The town’s court meets in the town hall. All minutes from each meeting are available to the public (openness and transparency within the micro-government). “Good or bad, we all know about it. If anything bad were to happen, the person wouldn’t get away with me. We know everyone too well! Each person [in Colton] could tell you exactly who did it if you described [the perpetrator]. By that time, everything’s out… whose family [her or she] is from, where [he or she] lives… damn, they’d catch ‘em just like that. And you bet that all these kids know it.”
Conclusions
Colton possesses many qualities that positively and negatively impact the the population Both effects will be discussed in this section. To its credit, there are neutral aspects that pertaining to the town in general will now be reiterated. The complete lack of public transportation is not concerning considering the majority of the services are condensed onto one street, while the rest of the privately owned businesses are operated from the individual’s home.
Colton possesses many positive qualities. For one, the length of day since moving in is significantly above state average (CityData). It is a testament to the town’s ability to foster togetherness within the community. Camaraderie is stressed in the sense that everyone knows everyone; news travels quickly amongst families. This apparent openness, from personal relationships to public record of town hall meetings, speaks to how much the population values trust between neighbors.
In regards to the economy, the unemployment percentage is below the state average. Small businesses and family owned stores thrive in this particular small town market. Home prices are warranted as affordable, although accommodations for the elderly and disabled populations are taken care of in other housing facilities.
Another positive aspect of the town is its unique culture centered around outdoor recreation. Year around recreation attracts many people and encourages an active lifestyle within the community. In terms of primary health promotion, students are actively involved in extracurricular activities including sports. Early prevention of communicable diseases by schools is highlighted through school programs concerning nutrition and exercise. The overall atmosphere effortlessly fosters active habits.
Although Colton thrives in terms of exercise and education in many different aspects, there are several conditions that were called to attention. The safety of the population is in question when specifically regarding cross walks and waste removal. It is dangerous that school aged children walk on the shoulder of the highway road. To address the second issue, Colton lacks a centralized sewage system. This increases the risk of disease within the population if there were an instance of improper waste removal. Thirdly, the individual’s willingness to travel for goods is clear. This attitude puts the economy of the small businesses in jeopardy due to the construction of commercial stores selling goods for a lower price.
Furthermore, the population is negatively impacted in a few instances. The lack of diversity may negatively impact the population in this case. Without exposure to different cultures, perspectives and ideals, the culture growth can be hindered. Then there’s prevalent problem of underage drinking with the adolescent population. While it is a seemingly common occurrence with this population nationwide, the prominence is not be taken lightly.
After considerable analysis, the following nursing diagnoses are taken into consideration.
Risk for infection r/t lack of centralized sewage system.
Deficient knowledge r/t inattention to follow through with high risk populations as manifested by increased adult diabetes rate and the adult obesity rate in Colton.
Exposure to hazardous waste can effect the overall well-being of the population. Through direct exposure or the increased incidence of vectors that carry disease, improper removal greatly impacts vulnerable populations, such as children, elderly and the immunocompromised. The intervention model can be utilized to address these issues on the community, general systems, and the individual level. The priority goal is to protect the population, reduce susceptibility and reduce the incidence of long-term effects from these hazards. The public health nurse may find it helpful to initiate a committee of community members to increase interest in the health of the population and advocate for policy development. He or she will then collaborate and empower the association to identify populations at risk, take action and provide services for the community as a whole.
Summary
The student nurse has met the community, exploring the culture and analyzing the drawbacks. Both the strength and the weaknesses have been presented as objectively as possible. Priorities of improvement are taken into account within this survey, and constructive suggestions have been provided. Emotional context has been established with different residents to capture the heart of the community and see it realistically (Rippke, 9). Colton’s quality of life has shown to be appropriate to the environment, and can be improved with changes to safety and health education.