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.

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.

**************

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.

**********************************

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.