Census hooey about Plainfield?

Thursday's Ledger ran a story on the updates to the 2000 population figures released by the Bureau of the Census, citing Plainfield as having a loss of 476 residents.

Mayor Robinson-Briggs doesn't think so. Neither do I.

She cites subdivision of older homes and the growth in school population.

These are certainly important indicators (more on the subdividing of homes -- much of it illegal -- at another time). To that we should add that the Census figures are an update, NOT an actual physical census.

The next ACTUAL count of people in Plainfield will be in April, 2010. City officials believe we were undercounted in 2000, despite an enormous public relations and community involvement program, but got no justice in appeals.

Will we fare better in 2010? Only time will tell, but I certainly hope the Mayor will plan ahead for a successful Census drive, whether or not she is elected to a second term.

On the other side of the question, I have noticed for years that many African-American residents -- not all of them older -- are selling and moving to the South. Among two I have spoken with recently who are planning such a move are a former Councilor and a former School Board member.

Reason? Lower home prices, lower taxes, lower cost of living, and less stressful living. What's not to like about that?

The struggle over an accurate count of residents is important for more than just reasons of pride of place, however.

Consider that if we can tip the scales at 50,001, we will be eligible to receive our Community Development Block Grant funds DIRECTLY and not through the County. That would be a nice difference, not having to give a cut of our portion to other communities!

We also want to know that more people are moving in than moving out -- and with ever higher incomes -- otherwise, how will we ever sell those hundreds and hundreds of condos on the horizon?

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More on the Census --

Ledger: "Drop recorded in Plainfield, though County grows"

-- Dan Damon

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