Monday, March 27, 2000

Telling the federal government if three or four people live in your home might not seem like it would make a lot of difference. After all, so what if you’re off by one or two people. But take that one or two people and multiply it by 1,000 homes and all of a sudden it looks like a lot less people live in a community.

Fewer people means less money, less money means fewer services and fewer services mean fewer people. It’s cyclical.

To get the money needed for a new school, or a senior services center or emergency relief money, the government needs to know who you are, where you live and how many people live with you.

It’s important to take the census forms mailed out this month and fill them out. It’s even more important to mail them back in.

If there’s a question, help is available. A Questionnaire Assistance Center is located in three areas in Lawrence County.

Area residents may visit with someone who will answer all their questions from 3-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Collins Career Center, from 1-3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Chesapeake Branch of the Briggs Lawrence County Public Library or from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Southern Branch of the Briggs Lawrence County Public Library.

With easy access available, there really should be no excuse for not completing the forms.

The census only comes around once every 10 years. Let’s make this one count.