Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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April 17, 2010

Getting counted: With Census deadline passed, some haven’t yet received forms

By CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph

WELCH — While Friday was the deadline for residents to return their census forms, some in the region say they are still waiting to actually receive their questionnaire. “I haven’t gotten one in the mail,” Maggie Woolridge, who lives in the Skygusty community in McDowell County, said. “I’ve talked to a lot of people, and they aren’t getting them. They should leave it at my door. I’m usually here. I don’t understand why I haven’t been contacted.” Woolridge, a retired school teacher, said she wants to complete the Census 2010 form. “I would like the future (generations) to know where I was in 2010,” Woolridge said. “But that is just one of the reasons. I’m a retired teacher, and education (funding) is based on the census. So our county is losing if we don’t get it.” Lynne Reed of the Bluewell community said she too is still waiting on her census form. “We’ve lived here almost 41 years, and I’ve always (completed) it,” Reed said. “I do know people who have received them and I have not. I wonder why.” Reed said her son, and other family members, have already received, completed and returned their census forms. However, she is still waiting to receive her questionnaire. Delegate Clif Moore, D-McDowell, who also serves as the County Manager of McDowell, said he has received several phone calls from concerned citizens who have yet to receive their census forms. “I have gotten calls from several locations across the county,” Moore said. “I have in return made contact with the census people on the state and national levels. They have this thing called the geography division. They can go back and check these things. They’ve told me that if in fact they have to deliver it by hand, they will do it.” Moore said it is critical for all citizens of McDowell County to be counted in the 2010 Census. However, he said it is frustrating to hear reports of citizens who haven’t received a census form. — Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

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