Census education planned

With the 2010 census approaching, an education program will be kicking off to inform people about the importance of getting counted.

Jay County community developer Ami Huffman and Michael Clements, United States Census Bureau, spoke with the Jay County Commissioners about how to best connect with county residents.

Since census information is used to figure grant money and congressional seats for the next ten years, Huffman wants to make sure everyone gets counted. She said the county could lose an estimated $15,000 per uncounted person in government funding over the 10-year period covered by the census.

Huffman is planning to get the help of local officials such as the commissioners, city mayors and others to help raise awareness.

"I think that the ongoing education process (can help)," she said. "People that everybody knows like (commissioner Milo Miller Jr.) or (Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier) ... I think that will go a long way.

"It comes from local (officials) and not from 'government,'" she added.

Huffman said reservations people have about the census, including releasing sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers or annual income, shouldn't be an issue since the government will only be asking people to complete "short" forms.

"This one will just ask very basic things - name, birthday, phone number in case more than three people with the same name are in the same area," she said. "It's very basic and very generic."

Huffman said the education campaign should run during December and January. The census forms will be distributed during the beginning of the year and will be due back by April.

In other business Monday, the commissioners:

•Were informed by Jay/Portland Building and Planning director Bill Milligan that the zoning ordinance would require amending to allow a proposed wind farm in southern Jay County. The commissioners voted to send a recommendation to the Jay County Planning Commission to make the changes.

•Were asked by Dunkirk fire chief Farrell Wells if they would pay for half of a generator for the combined fire and emergency medical station in Dunkirk. The county's half would be approximately $3,800 and the commissioners agreed to cover that amount.

•Agreed to enter into a contract with Benefit Advantage to monitor the county's Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) claims. COBRA allows workers to continue receive group health coverage for a limited time under certain circumstances of voluntary or involuntary changes in employment.

•Approved an emergency claim of $975 for the sheriff's department to pay for work done in securing a 911 grant.[[In-content Ad]]