Tuesday, April 17, 2001
Workers must complete the local census Wednesday.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
EAST PALESTINE -- City officials continue to tally results of a citywide census today in the hopes of maintaining East Palestine's status as a city.
City Manager Patricia Quigley said officials are cross-checking records for duplicate information and missed households. She had no conclusive totals this morning.
The local census began April 9 and by state law, city officials have 10 days to complete it. They must then report the results to the secretary of state's office.
Volunteers finished door-to-door canvassing Monday, with much of the task completed over the weekend. Before the door-to-door efforts, about 4,000 residents had been accounted for.
Looking for 5,000: City officials are out to prove there are at least 5,000 people in East Palestine, contrary to the U.S. Census 2000 report that showed the population about 70 shy of that figure.
Volunteers, including Mayor Raymond Hull, city council and members of the Fraternal Order of Police, distributed census forms and contacted residents by phone in advance of the door-to-door effort.
If the U.S. Census 2000 figures stand, East Palestine will be declared a village and lose some state Community Development Block Grant funding. Its share of local government funds, based on population, will be reduced.
East Palestine also would lose its city-run health department, and officials could choose to no longer recognize representation of some city employees by the Fraternal Order of Police and Teamsters union.