Valley has the most to lose in next year’s census count

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland could have been speaking directly to the people of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties when he recently stressed the importance of next year’s national population census.

“It is, I believe, a certainty that we will lose at least one congressional seat following this next census,” the governor said. “And we are in great danger of losing two congressional seats. That would diminish Ohio’s representation in Congress for the next 10 years, so it is hugely important that every person who is a resident of our state is reached and counted.”

Anyone around in 2000 when the last census was conducted, knows that Strickland isn’t exaggerating when he warns of the fallout from the loss in population. This region took a direct hit.

Prior to the 2000 census, the Mahoning Valley was basically an intact congressional district. The then 17th District encompassed all of Mahoning County, most of Trumbull County and a large part of Columbiana County. The argument that long held sway in the drawing of congressional district lines was that the three counties had a commonality of interest and, therefore, deserved to be treated as a single entity.

But then came the population numbers from the 2000 census, and the loss suffered in this region made it impossible to win the old argument in Columbus — congressional district lines are drawn by the Ohio General Assembly — that the tri-county area should be left untouched.

When the final map was approved, Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties lost their common bond.

Thus today, the 17th District is made up of most of Mahoning and parts of Trumbull, Portage and Summit counties. It is represented by Tim Ryan, D-Niles.

The 6th District takes in parts of Austintown, Boardman and parts of several communities in the southern part of Mahoning County, all of Columbiana County and all or parts of 10 other counties along the Ohio River. It is geographically unwieldy. But that was intentional.

Political goal

Republicans who controlled the General Assembly in 2001 made sure they created a district to give a Republican candidate a realistic chance of winning the seat.

But things haven’t worked out for the GOP. The first congressman to represent the new 6th District was Democrat Strickland, and when he became governor, Democrat Charlie Wilson took his place.

While the goal of keeping the Valley intact in one district was not realized, having Ryan and Wilson in Congress has worked out well for the tri-county area.

However, the outcome of the 2010 population count could once again put the Valley under the legislative microscope — which is why Gov. Strickland’s call to arms must be taken seriously.

The count isn’t just about congressional and Ohio House and Senate district boundaries. Population is a factor in the formulas used by the state and federal governments in delivering money for a whole array of projects.

In addition, for cities like Youngstown and Warren, the number of low- and moderate-income residents directly impacts grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — the Community Development Block Grant program is a prime example — and other agencies.

There is lot at stake for this region, and it falls on the shoulders of elected officials, quasi-government entities and community-based organizations to work together to ensure that every single person is counted. We can’t afford to have anyone fall through the cracks