Basil G. Zimmer

The Significance of Membership in Associations

In a medium-sized metropolitan area membership in voluntary associations is higher in the central city than in the fringe area. Frequency of membership in both areas varies with demographic characteristics. When standarized rates are computed, the lower fringe rate is found to be not due to demographic composition. Membership in associations is of some consequence in the affairs of the community, particularly in those having to do with the political unification of the area. In the fringe such organizations tend to be vehicles of opposition to that kind of cohesiveness in the community.

Suburbanization and Church Participation

confusions, gave an opportunity for the presentation of factual knowledge, drew attention to existing local problems, utilized the vast reservoir of experience and knowledge held by the participants, provided for the collection of some field data needed for training and research, and gave some help and support to the service personnel working with Spanish-speaking peoples. The outcomes have been favorable enough and the importance of the issues clearly enough seen to enlist the continued support of the leaders in Austin of both Englishand Spanish-speaking peoples, administrators and scholars, service professionals and lay representatives, as well as others, so that the project has been carried on into its fourth term.

Approaches to the Solution of Fringe Problems: Preferences of Residents in the Flint Metropolitan Area

T HE rapid growth of population in the areas immediately adjoining metropolitan central cities during the past thirtyfive years has created and progressively aggravated a host of problems of concern to central cities as well as to the residents of the so-called fringe areas. From the point of view of the latter, the problems may be summarily described as a general lack of adequate urban facilities. Despite the prevalence in the fringe of an urban type of settlement, sanitary sewerage and water facilities, sufficient police and fire protection, regular garbage and rubbish collections, recreation, public health, and other services are seldom available to more than a small fraction of the residents. While such deficiencies pose threats to the health and wellbeing of the central city population, the fringe problem from their point of view may also be that of inducing the residents of the fringe to accept some responsibility for maintenance of the municipal government of the core city. The inadequacy of urban services in the fringe is in part due to the seemingly inevitable lag of capital improvements behind rapid population growth. Of even greater importance, however, is the fact that jurisdiction

Metropolitan Area Schools: Resistance to District Reorganization:

of many of the political, social, and economic factors which influence educational policy decisions. The book deserves wide reading because of the present focus on the problems of public education and it contains important guidelines for both proponents and opponents of district reorganization. It may well become the ‘ntnnual’ for developing pro and con campaigns in communities across the nation.” --The Western Political Quarterly