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Philadelphians, In New Survey, On A Bit Of A Downer About Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - How do Philadelphians feel about their city?

One survey that keeps its finger on the pulse of Philadelphia's attitude, the Philadelphia Research Initiative, sees a "downward drift" in the way residents view the city.

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(Larry Eichel. File photo)

Project director Larry Eichel (right) says most Philadelphians still rate their neighborhoods as "good" or "excellent," and those surveyed still approve of Mayor Nutter by 15 points, but those pluralities have shrunk by a couple of percentage points.

"What you see is a fairly uniform shift almost across the board.  That sort of makes you think that maybe there's something underlying all this, and that something might well be the economy," Eichel told KYW Newsradio.

What makes him think it's the economy, even though we're supposed to be in a recovery?  The question: "Have you or someone in your household been unemployed in the last 12 months?"  Last year, 49 percent said yes. This year, the number is 52 percent.

For other interesting studies about Philadelphia, click here.

One question that ran counter to the downward trend:  more Philadelphians feel positively about casinos, now that the city has its first one. But most think the city doesn't need a second one.

Reported by Pat Loeb, KYW Newsradio 1060.

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