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Pictured:
Canada geese lined up and soaked in the sun at the Beardstown Park
District last week. Geese live year round in a band that spans across
the northern half of the United States. Several flocks call this area
home, as long as food is plentiful and conditions are right. National
Geographic states that the Canada (not Canadian) goose is one of the
best known birds in North America. Julie Bergschneider/Star-Gazette
photo
Conference addresses rural development
The economic recession is causing community leaders, especially
in rural areas, to take new approaches in trying to stimulate local
economic development and job creation because some of the old ways no
longer work in the current environment. The Illinois Institute for
Rural Affairs (IIRA), located at Western Illinois University, hosted
its 21st annual conference in Peoria on March 3-4, to explore new
development opportunities and to learn from leaders in other regions
who have succeeded with innovative approaches.
Eric Mattson, the Economic Development Program Coordinator from
Cass County, participated in the conference along with more than 300
elected officials and community leaders from around Illinois and
neighboring states. The conference, keynoted by Governor Pat Quinn,
provided an opportunity for participants to learn new strategies to
attract businesses and create jobs. It also provided an opportunity
for rural Illinois community leaders to discuss difficulties
encountered in promoting local development and stemming the
outmigration of youth from rural communities.
“The Economic Development conference in Peoria highlighted many
positive development examples and was filled with ideas that could be
used within our community,” said Mattson. “I returned from the
conference excited about the possibility of new projects and
opportunities. It was a very valuable experience.”
Highlighting the conference were presentations by Will Lamb,
University of North Carolina, who described successful new and
innovative approaches taken by communities in southern states to
revitalize local economies. These small communities, many in rural
areas, have adopted entrepreneurial approaches to stimulate business
creation, expand local markets, and otherwise help the local economies.
Kim Huston from Bardstown, Kentucky, author of Small Town Sexy,
told the group that small towns have assets that cannot be duplicated
in larger communities, and these strengths are highly-sought after by
younger generations. She worked with community leaders to find and
identify these assets as well as market them to potential business
investors.
The conference provided opportunities for participants to attend
formal presentations but also to work on local issues in small
groups. In some instances, this participation will lead to continued
collaboration, and ultimately to joint projects or strategies.
“This rural development conference offers an opportunity for
elected officials and leaders in small Illinois communities to hear
new ideas and approaches. The large turnout shows that community
leaders are committed to improving the quality of life in their
areas. The IIRA is proud to provide this opportunity for local
leaders to learn from their peers on this important issue.” said
Christopher D. Merrett, IIRA director.
County board approves bridge replacements
By Marla Blair / Star-Gazette editor ....
The Cass County board approved two highway department projects
at its March 8 meeting, to replace bridges on County Highway 12
(Oakford-Chandlerville blacktop). A project schedule has not been
set, but the public will be notified of future road closures related
to bridge replacement.
The bridge over Miller Creek received a low bid of $369,212.91,
almost $95,000 under the estimated cost. County engineer Tim Icenogle
informed the board that local match would be around $81,800, but if
the capitol bill would be realized, the county would receive almost
$50,000 to be applied to the Miller Creek bridge project. The funds
would reduce the local match to approximately $30,000.
Low bid on the Middle Creek bridge replacement was $386,712.69.
Stimulus money is available for that project, in the amount of
$212,157. Local match would be approximately $43,000.
The board also authorized the Highway Department to advertise
for bids on its salt purchase options for 2010-2011.
Bill Merriman reported that the major leak plaguing Cass Rural
Water District’s supply line for several weeks has been found. The
leak was located near the Allendale House, north of Route 125.
Animal Control: picked up 22 dogs in February; 11 were returned
to their owners, and 11 were adopted out to new homes.
The Supervisor of Assessments office mailed tax notices last
week. The board discussed the fact the state is responsible for the
multiplier and tells the county what that number will be for each
township. A higher multiplier in certain townships is to equalize the
tax evaluations across the county. The Board of Review is available
on Tuesdays and Thursdays until March 26 for residents who wish to
appeal their statement. The Assessor’s office can be reached at
452-2277, ext. 329.
The public defender had 71 cases open as of Feb. 28. $161
collected for GIS recordings in February.
County clerk Mike Kirchner thanked Sheriff Bob Fair for calling
the courthouse immediately with VIN and other details after the
department’s recent new vehicle purchase. The information contributed
to a timely coverage update with the insurance carrier. Kirchner
stated the highway department was also efficient in similar
situations and it made his job easier.
The next county board meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 12,
at 7 p.m.
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Census forms are in the mail
This month census forms will be delivered to every residence in
the United States and Puerto Rico. When received, just answer the 10
short questions and mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope
which is provided. If the form is not mailed back, the household may
receive a visit from a census taker, who will ask the questions from
the form.
The majority of the country will receive English–only materials.
Households in areas with high concentrations of Spanish-speaking
residents may receive a bilingual (English/Spanish) form. Any
personal data you provide is protected under federal law.
The United States Census has been announced, advertised and
explained for months, but the following information—gleaned from the
Website—offers facts about the history of the census, and helpful
information that, hopefully, answers questions causing concern or
that may seem unnecessary.
Without a head count and basic information about the people
living in this country, the government cannot distribute funding
($400 billion) that supports the roads and bridges, hospitals,
schools, and other public use facilities and projects.
History of the Census
The first census began more than a year after the inauguration
of President Washington and shortly before the second session of the
first Congress ended. Congress assigned responsibility for the 1790
Census to the marshals of the U.S. judicial districts. The pay
allowed for the 1790 "enumerators" was very small, and did not exceed
$1 for 50 people properly recorded on the rolls.
The First Federal Congress established a special committee to
prepare the questions to be included in the first census. The
suggestions were likely debated in the House, and according to a
report in a Boston newspaper, Virginia Representative James Madison
recommended at least five of the initial six questions.
The six inquiries in 1790 called for questions on gender, race,
relationship to the head of household, name of the head of household,
and the number of slaves, if any. Marshals in some states went beyond
these questions and collected data on occupation and the number of
dwellings in a city or town.
The 2010 questionnaire is one of the shortest in history, and
comes very close to the length and scope of inquiries asked in 1790.
Everyone in the household answers seven questions: name, gender,
race, ethnicity, and whether they sometimes live somewhere else. The
head of household answers how many people live in the residence,
whether it is a house, apartment, or mobile home, and provides a
telephone number for Census workers to follow up if any information
is incomplete or missing.
The first census in 1790 was managed under the direction of
Thomas Jefferson, the Secretary of State. Marshals took the census in
the original 13 states plus the districts of Kentucky, Maine, and
Vermont, and the Southwest Territory (Tennessee). Secretary of State
Thomas Jefferson was nominal supervisor of the census on Census Day,
August 2, 1790.
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Questions from the census form may seem unnecessary or cause
concern. The following responses will answer those questions and
explain their existence. The response may also include the first year
the question was included on the census. The information is taken
from the Census Bureau’s Website.
—How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or
mobile home on April 1, 2010? This helps get an accurate count of the
number of people in the household on Census Day, April 1, 2010. The
answer should be based on the guidelines in the 'Start here' section.
The information ensures response accuracy and completeness and to
contact respondents whose forms have incomplete or missing information.
—Were there any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you
did not include in Question 1? Asked since 1880. This question is
asked to help identify people who may have been excluded in the count
provided in Question 1. The information is used to ensure response
accuracy and completeness and to contact respondents whose forms have
incomplete or missing information.
—Is this house, apartment, or mobile home: owned with mortgage, owned
without mortgage, rented, occupied without rent? Asked since 1890.
Homeownership rates serve as an indicator of the nation's economy.
The data are also used to administer housing programs and to inform
planning decisions.
—What is your telephone number? The form asks for a phone number in
case the census bureau needs to contact a respondent when a form is
returned with incomplete or missing information.
—Please provide information for each person living here. Start with a
person here who owns or rents this house, apartment, or mobile home.
If the owner or renter lives somewhere else, start with any adult
living here. This will be Person 1. What is Person 1's name?
Listing the name of each person in the household helps the
respondent to include all members, particularly in large households
where a respondent may forget who was counted and who was not. Also,
names are needed if additional information about an individual must
be obtained to complete the census form. Federal law protects the
confidentiality of personal information, including names.
—What is Person 1's sex? Asked since 1790. Census data about sex are
important because many federal programs must differentiate between
males and females for funding, implementing and evaluating their
programs. For instance, laws promoting equal employment opportunity
for women require census data on sex. Also, sociologists, economists,
and other researchers who analyze social and economic trends use the
data.
—What is Person 1's age and Date of Birth? Asked since 1800.
Federal, state, and local governments need data about age to
interpret most social and economic characteristics, such as
forecasting the number of people eligible for Social Security or
Medicare benefits. The data are widely used in planning and
evaluating government programs and policies that provide funds or
services for children, working-age adults, women of childbearing age,
or the older population.
—Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin? Asked since
1970. The data collected in this question are needed by federal
agencies to monitor compliance with anti-discrimination provisions,
such as under the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. State
and local governments may use the data to help plan and administer
bilingual programs for people of Hispanic origin.
—What is Person 1's race? Asked since 1790. Race is key to
implementing many federal laws and is needed to monitor compliance
with the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. State
governments use the data to determine congressional, state and local
voting districts. Race data are also used to assess fairness of
employment practices, to monitor racial disparities in
characteristics such as health and education and to plan and obtain
funds for public services.
—Does Person 1 sometimes live or stay somewhere else? This is
another question asked in order to ensure response accuracy and
completeness and to contact respondents whose forms have incomplete
or missing information.
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There is concern that information from the 2010 Census may be
used for other purposes. The information is strictly protected and
cannot be used by other departments within the United States government.
Title 13 of the U.S. Code protects the confidentiality of all
your information and violating this law is a crime with severe
penalties. In addition, other federal laws, including the
Confidential Statistical Efficiency Act and the Privacy Act reinforce
these protections.
Private information is never published. It is against the law to
disclose or publish any of the following information:
—Names.
—Addresses, including GPS coordinates.
—Social Security numbers.
—Telephone numbers.
The Census Bureau uses the collected information to produce
statistics. The answers cannot be used against anyone by any
government agency or court.
Sworn for Life to Protect Your Confidentiality—All Census Bureau
employees take the oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to
protect the confidentiality of the data.
Violating the Oath Is a Serious Crime—The penalty for unlawful
disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to 5
years, or both.
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