EAST PALESTINE Census recheck to start with calls

Losing city status would mean a loss in funds the city receives.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
EAST PALESTINE -- When telephones ring in East Palestine homes tonight, residents might find a city council member, the mayor or a neighborhood patrolman on the other end.
City council, the mayor, city manager and members of the Fraternal Order of Police are among the volunteers collecting data for a citywide census. City officials are out to prove East Palestine has the numbers to retain city status.
The U.S. Census numbers for 2000 showed a 4.9-percent population decline in the city from the 1990 census. If the latest census numbers stand, the population would be 4,917 and East Palestine would lose its city status.
City Manager Patricia Quigley said the census will continue through much of April and could include door-to-door canvassing.
Information needed: Residents will be asked to verify their address and the number of people living in the home, she said.
The process could result in some overlapping of data, she said. Some residents who return a census form might still receive a phone call or find someone at their door, she said.
State law allows the city to conduct its own census to refute U.S. Census numbers, city Law Director Bradley Allison explained.
"The census bureau had more bodies and months to complete the population survey," Allison said. "We are only allowed five individuals and 10 days to complete the process, and we will be doing a valiant attempt to count all residents."
Quigley said the bright-orange census forms are available at city hall, Sparkle Market, Sky Bank, National City Bank and Home Savings and Loan. They must be returned no later than April 18, she said.
Door-to-door canvassing will take place Tuesday through April 20 if needed, she said. If residents fill out and return census forms to city hall, the need for door-to-door canvassing will be reduced, Quigley said.
A loss of funds: If city status is lost, East Palestine would lose the $25,000 to $35,000 it receives annually in a distribution of Community Development Block Grants to cities. East Palestine's share of local government funds -- based on population -- would be reduced.
Quigley noted city employees will also lose their option of union representation, as a village government does not have to recognize employee unions.
The city has had a population of more than 5,000 since at least 1940, according to historical society records.