The U.

Wednesday, February 02, 2000

The U.S. Census Bureau’s every-10-year campaign to count and record the data of every person living in the United States begins April 1, but it’s no April Fool’s Day joke. The census is one of America’s most important events.

Hundreds of communities in every state rely upon the census data to help guarantee grant funding for important projects and programs like hospitals, new daycare centers, new schools and federal housing subsidies.

Even grant dollars dedicated to upgrade or add water lines – a necessity of which our area is well aware because of recent drought conditions – is based upon income levels and other information provided by census records.

Public officials often talk about the Community Development Block Grant program. Grant dollars in that program dedicated to recreation, parks, streets and other necessities are tied to census numbers.

And if it weren’t for census records, our cities would not know how many representatives to elect to public office, or in some cases know if they are a city at all.

So, your response to the 2000 Census does matter.

When you receive your mailed census questionnaires in mid-March, it’s important to take time to fill them out. For those residents who will be visited by census employees, it’s also important to respond to their questions.

Information needs to be accurate, too, because so many important decisions are based upon the numbers.

The 2000 Census will be a benefit to Lawrence County and its communities.

Please, do your part and respond.