Starting May 1st, those homes that have not returned their census forms by mail can expect to hear a knock at their door. A census worker, maybe a friend or neighbor, will ask you a few simple questions and you will have joined the 300-plus millions of American Citizens to be recorded in this Census of 2010.

The U.S. Census is required to count people where they live and sleep most of the time.  After a couple of basic questions to establish the accuracy of the address, there are 7 questions to be answered for each member of the household, i.e., name, gender, age, birth date, race, ownership of housing unit.

Your answers are confidential and protected by law. Your answers will be used only for statistical purposes and for no other purpose and are seen only by people sworn to uphold confidentiality and with a work-related need to know. Census data becomes public after 72 years.

Accurate census data is used to apportion representation in the U.S. Congress as well as in your state legislatures and local school boards. Accurate census data is also critical in the federal and state formulas used to distribute funds in areas such as education and transportation. In addition, temporary jobs are created in your community.

It is unfortunate that this relatively simple survey has been so maligned over the Internet and by word of mouth. So please welcome our census takers with a smile and feel secure in answering the few simple questions they will ask of you.

If you have any questions, please send them to pjwcrafts@comline.com and I will direct them to the proper person.

Pat Wilkinson