Summer interns working for Legislator Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury), minority leader of the Legislature, were driven out of the office this year and into the fresh air for a special project in Plainview.

The college- and high school-age interns conducted a survey of the residents in the 16th legislative district to determine what issues were top priorities.

"As a representative of my constituents, I'm always anxious to learn what is on their minds," said Jacobs. "Having these wonderful, ambitious and energetic interns on staff during the summer months gives me the opportunity to survey a large number of people."

The interns include Catherine Chrysler from Syosset, a senior at College of the Holy Cross, where she majors in political science and Spanish; Adam Moss of Plainview, a senior at Plainview Old-Bethpage High School; and Letal Algazy of Plainview, a senior at SUNY Albany, where she majors in political science.

Questions included the following:

Most important issue facing the county?

Fiscal deficit	31 percent
Taxes	29 percent
Traffic	7 percent
Monitoring majority in power	5 percent
Bond rating	5 percent

Other issues named by less than 2 percent included senior housing, overcrowded schools, crime, cancer rate, water quality and guns.

Most important concern in your neighborhood?

Taxes	15 percent
Traffic safety	15 percent
Safety	11 percent
Crime	11 percent
House burglaries	11 percent
Property values	7 percent

Other issues named by less than 4 percent included traffic lights, quieter shopping centers, schools and gangs.