Accurate census count critical for county funds

To The Eagle:

The census system doesn't make sense, or is at the least flawed!

After we did not receive a census form in the mail, upon inquiry to our County Auditor Diane Tischer, I was kindly informed that a census form could be obtained from the office of the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce located at the Scarborough Building on Main Street.

Later Bob Hendrickson volunteered that he and Margie had also been ignored by the census and he had seen an out-of-town news article that said people with post office boxes instead of home mail delivery were not given census forms and would not be contacted.

We have post offices in Rosburg, Skamokawa and Cathlamet whose mail box holders and their families may no be included in the census. I also was advise that if you had a post office mail box the census takers would not visit your residence because they don't know who you are or where you live.

Given that this flawed census system could substantially under count our town and county populations by hundreds or perhaps a thousand or more people and that many funds that come to our town and county are based upon those population numbers for the next 10 years, I urge our town mayor and council, and our county commissioners to have this problem corrected.

For your and all of our benefit, please make certain the census includes you.

George Hanigan

Cathlamet