rap #36 03/01/10

VICARI RALLIES COUNTY RESIDENTS TO RETURN THOSE CENSUS FORMS AND BEAT THE NATIONAL AVERAGE

FREEHOLDER JOSEPH H. VICARI is rallying Ocean County residents to complete and return their 2010 Census forms.

“In 2000, 72 percent of residents across the United States returned their forms on time,” Vicari said. “I know we can top that in Ocean County.”

To remind residents of the importance of the Census, the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders has proclaimed March “Census Month.”

Vicari, the county’s liaison to the Census, said the 2010 count is especially important.

“There’s a real danger that New Jersey could lose a Congressional seat because of the population that has left the state,” he said. “Less representation in Washington harms all of our residents.”

Census data is also used by a myriad of government and third-party agencies to determine funding for many social services programs.

“If our residents are undercounted, we could lose millions of dollars over the next decade,” Vicari said.

Census forms will arrive in mailboxes this month and should be returned by April 1.

“Most residents will receive a simple 10-question form that can be filled out in less time than it takes to boil an egg,” said Freeholder Director James F. Lacey.

Completing the form and sending it back also avoids the inconvenience of having a Census worker visit your home, Lacey said.

The Freeholders also said that residents who may spend the winters elsewhere and are not here this month are the only ones who should wait to return their forms.

“It’s crucial that anyone who lives here most of the year but may be away when the Census forms arrive wait until they return home to be counted,” Vicari said.

The Census is very clear on where people should be counted. There is only one issue to be considered. It is where the person lives and sleeps most of time, which actually could be less than six months if they live in three or more places during the year. It has nothing to do with citizenship, homestead rebates, where the car is insured or the town in which one votes, he said.

Vicari had disparaging words for efforts in some other states that have begun campaigns to have part-time residents counted at their seasonal addresses.

“In Ocean County we have never tried to encourage our thousands of summer residents and vacation homeowners to be counted here," Vicari said. "We should be spending our effort ensuring every person is counted, not trying to hi-jack them from one state to another."

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