Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Why Do We Care? Census 2020


The framers of the United States Constitution made a full count of the population a part of the document. Every 10 years since 1790 the Census Bureau has conducted a count of every resident in the United States. It’s the law.

“Why do We Care? Census 2020” will be the topic of discussion Thursday, March 7, 6:00 pm, at the Northwoods Bank Community Room, 12001st St. East, Park Rapids. The program will be free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

League of Women Voters of the Park Rapids Area has invited Tim Flathers, Headwaters Regional Development Commission executive director, to speak about why a complete Census count is so vital to fair and equitable funding for all government supported activities. He will be joined by a panel of Andrew Mack, Park Rapids city planner; Diane Dennis, Coldwell Banker Clack and Dennis Real Estate; and Mary Thompson, Headwaters Regional Development Commission, who will be serving in an administrative role with the Hubbard County Regional Economic Development Commission. The panel will respond to the speaker’s presentation and share how the Census affects their activities. There will also be time for questions from the audience.

For the 2010 Census in Minnesota, 85 percent of people completed and returned the Census form mailed to them. Census workers reached out to the remaining 15 percent at their residence. In 2020 the Census Bureau is urging the creation of Complete Count Committees in every town, county and region to help everyone understand how important it is that their household members are counted. Full participation in the 2020 Census will provide communities with vital information about who we are and what we need.

League of Women Voters is a non-partisan volunteer organization committed to “Making Democracy Work for All.” Membership is open to everyone 16 and over. Celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year the group has been open to men since 1976. For more information email  www.lwvparkrapids@lwvmn.org, or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeagueOfWomenVotersParkRapidsStateUnit/.


You can also contact Carolynne White, president at 218-732-9819.