Small Town News

Returning your census form very important

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PUBLISHER'S NOTEBOOK

The City of Conway has pulled out all the stops this year to get folks to participate in the 2010 census. However, despite its best efforts, Conway remains unsatisfied with the return rate of census forms.

I've been know to procrastinate when it comes to filling out government forms. Like a lot of people, I don't relish the thought of sharing personal information with government.

That's probably a silly notion Since the government could access tons of information about me with the push of a computer button. Now, with national health care a done deal, government bureaucrats will even have access to my medical records when they decide whether or not I will be eligible for medical treatment.

Nevertheless, I did fill out the 2010 U.S. Census survey promptly and put it in the mail. The biggest reason being that I don't want to see

my federal tax dollars going somewhere else because I didn't take the time to participate ip the census.

Actually, Conwayites are doing a bit better in responding to the census than the nation as a whole. The return rate in Conway is about 55 percent, compared to a national return rate of

only 50 percent. Not bad, but the

response isn't what Conway

wants...and needs.

Conway City Planner Steve

Tanner, who heads the census committee for the city, puts it this way:

"If Conway's population increased by 4,536 over the 2000 census total, that would amount to an additional $1,360,800 for the city over the next 10 years until the census 2020."

Frankly, I think Tanner's estimate is a bit conservative, because census data is used in many ways to determine the level of services available to a community.

Consider that census figures are used to plan for hospitals, fire and police stations, schools, senior centers, streets, water and sewer lines and it becomes obvious much more than $1.3 million is at stake over the next 10 years.

Population totals determine how and where billions of federal dollars are spent each year for education, public transportation, programs for the elderly, emergency food and shelters and much more.

Lest we forget, population also plays a key role in determining how

much representation an area has in the U.S. House of Representatives. There's a good chance South Carolina could pick up another seat in Congress.

Ever the optimist, Horry Independent Editor Kathy Ropp reminded me that the census asks folks to report household residency as of April 1. Those of us who turned in our census forms early may have actually jumped the gun.

Hopefully by this time next month the reporting statistics for the census will be much higher. Field workers for the government won't begin knocking on doors until May 1.

The easiest way to be a good citizen and participate in this 2010 census is to take a few moments to fill out the census survey mailed to you. It took me about three minutes to finish my report.

Providing the information is safe and easy and it is protected by law. Do it today!



Copyright 2010 The Horry Independent, Conway, South Carolina. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 The Horry Independent Conway, South Carolina. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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