Embattled University of New England Releases Bizarre Self-Serving ‘Poll’ Amid Pier Battle

A Maine college that recently sued its host city to force judicial approval of a new research pier now suddenly wants the public to know how loved it is.

University of New England went out and hired a pollster to try to prove how popular it is with the average Mainer.

Apparently school officials decided a self-serving poll would be a good way to persuade regulators to approve their plans to build a controversial pier in the Saco River.

After all, it may be all they have at this point to get their pier built, what with Biddeford city officials challenging them at every turn.

The “poll” by no coincidence comes just days before a regional regulatory board considers the school’s appeal for a building permit.

The survey makes no mention of the pier battle but its timing is clearly suspect.

The school has been claiming the city unlawfully reversed permits previously issued for the pier due to a massive lobbying campaign by angry boaters afraid they will lose their river moorings.

The boaters argue the proposed pier will effectively prevent them from using their vessels.

They have gone so far as insisting they will not pull their moorings for the sake of a “research pier,” setting up a real donnybrook.

The Biddeford Buzz published on Monday a piece by a school flack touting what was being called an Emerson College Polling survey that allegedly reflects widespread public support for the university.

“Residents in Biddeford and Portland report the University’s highest ratings for reputation, integrity, and community impact,” school spokesman Alan Bennett wrote.

Poll “questions” included “how familiar are you with” and “what is your opinion of” the school.

The “poll” also asked respondents to rate the school’s “integrity and honesty”and whether it is a “positive force” in the city.

But missing from the so-called questionnaire were any straight-up inquiries about whether the school should be allowed to expand.

A question the “poll” could have asked is “do you think the University of New England should be allowed to build a pier if it results in preventing your neighbors from using their boats?”

See how this works?

A poll paid for by a partisan client typically includes skewed softball questions – such as those the University of New England paid for – designed to elicit self-serving responses.

The “poll” done by the school is useless – unless university officials think regulators and judges are stupid enough to accept its non-existent application.