Council won't challenge Census data

EAST PALESTINE -- City council has decided not to challenge the U.S. Census 2000 figures that leave the city below 5,000 in population and in state-recognized city status.
City Manager Gary Clark said council chose not to hire a consultant to handle the paperwork involved in the challenge of federal figures because the state accepted the city's recount and recognizes East Palestine as a city.
Councilwoman Becky Burns said council believes the money spent to hire a consultant could be better spent elsewhere, and council will concentrate on achieving better U.S. Census results in 2010 by urging people to move into the city.
The U.S. Census reported East Palestine's population at 4,917, but the state certified a recount by city officials and volunteers that set the city population at 5,058.