A promise worth money and more for your community

It is a new year, it is 2020. A time when many make resolutions and just as many do not keep them. I was never very good at resolutions so I have avoided them altogether. However, this year I have decided to make a “promise” instead. My promise is to work to increase the number of people in Mendocino County who respond to the 2020 Census.

Why am I doing this? The Census determines the number of people we have in the House of Representatives. Plus, it is the basis for funding more than 250 federal programs. Each person counted equates to about $2,000 per person for each of the next 10 years, or $20,000 distributed over the 10-year period. These monies come not to just the County coffers but fund roads, schools, healthcare, fire districts, housing programs for seniors and veterans to name a few.

When does this happen? The count begins on April 1, 2020, and should close before the end of May.

The U.S. Bureau of the Census must report a total number of people in the United States before Dec. 31.

This year reporting will be primarily through the internet. If your mail is delivered to your home address, you will receive a postcard with directions on how to go online and file. If your mail is delivered to a Post Office box, you will receive a postcard informing you how to go online and obtain an identification number. Follow those directions to access the questionnaire.

If you do not have broadband or a computer, there will be places in your area to go to log on. There will be an option to call an 800 number (in many languages) and respond to the 10 questions. You will report each member in your household and should take less than 10 minutes per person.

An accurate count from the 2020 Census is a fast and simple way to bring in money to Mendocino County. We can all agree our county can use more funding to provide necessary services for all our residents. It will benefit us all.

So my promise is to work to increase our count. Remember: April 1, 2020, is “Everyone Counts Day.” Will you promise to join me? To get more information, check out our website: www.mendocinocounts.org or call Paula Cohen 707-937-1914.