Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27), Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi and Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards teamed up with the local Complete County Committee to remind residents throughout Chautauqua County to ‘Take 10’ for the Census. 

“The Census is one of the most simple, yet significant ways we can impact the community we live in,” said Congressman Higgins.   “It impacts our schools, roads, representation and so much more.  With the Census, as with other initiatives, when Western New Yorkers stand up for ourselves we provide the best opportunities for a better future.”

Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi stated, “We all think of the Census as a national effort.  While that is true on the surface, the implications of the Census are very local.  The single most important thing that a local resident can do to fight the impact of higher local property taxes, promote the improvement of our roads, infrastructure, neighborhoods, and encourage improvements to our public schools is to take 10 minutes to fill out and mail in the Census form.  It’s easy.  It’s non-invasive and private.  It’s the law.  And it’s the best way to insure that our community will have at its disposal the representation and resources to excel.  Everyone who is counted helps the City of Jamestown, surrounding communities and the County of Chautauqua receive their fair share.”

Mayor Teresi estimated that Jamestown was undercounted by between 3,000 and 5,000 people in 2000.  New York State Comptroller DiNapoli found that each undercounted resident costs their community up to $2,900.  Using those figures, undercounting in the last Census cost Jamestown alone up to $14.5 million in resources. 

Leaders reminded residents they still have a couple more weeks to submit their census forms by mail before Census takers begin in May making visits to households that didn’t return their forms by mail. The Census Bureau saves $60-70 per census form that is returned by mail.  In fact, if every household mailed back completed forms, taxpayers would save $1.5 billion.

"It is vitally important that everyone fill out their 2010 Census forms and return them by mail right away," Edwards said. "I am pleased to see that many residents have already mailed their questionnaire in, and I urge the rest of you to get the form completed and returned to the U.S. Census Bureau as soon as possible. It only takes 10 minutes to answer 10 questions, and doing so will help ensure that we get our fair share of federal funds."

As of April 6th Chautauqua County’s average census return rate was 65%, exceeding the current state average of 54% and the national average of 60%.  The City of Jamestown has reached 68% participation, Dunkirk is at 63% returned and Mayville is currently at 55% participation.  Chautauqua County’s total participation rate in the 2000 Census was 73%.

Dunkirk Mayor Richard Frey said, “The residents in Northern Chautauqua County also are being asked to be diligent in completing the Census forms.  With all local municipalities and school districts facing budget constraints the 2010 Census maybe more than any in history is vital to insure that the federal and state aid this region deserves is allocated for the benefits of our local taxpayers.”

Residents who haven’t received a Census form by April 12th can call the toll free help line at 1-866-872-6868 or visit one of the local Questionnaire Assistance Centers to request their Be Counted form.  Questionnaire Assistance Centers in Jamestown include the James Prendergast Library, St. Susan's Center, Joint Neighborhood Project, Eastside Family YMCA and the Chautauqua Opportunities Jamestown site.  Assistance Centers in Dunkirk include the Dunkirk Library, Chautauqua Opportunities Dunkirk Site and the Everywoman Opportunity Center.  To find the site closest to you enter your zip code on interactive map on the Census website: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map. 

As directed by the U.S. Constitution, a Census count has been taken every 10 years since 1790.  Census data determines the distribution of more that $400 billion in federal funds to local governments and is used to apportion congressional seats The 2010 Census form is one of the shortest in U.S. history, consisting of 10 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete.  More information is available at www.2010census.gov.