POMEROY–The upcoming Census issue is part of the agenda which will be fully discussed at The Pomeroy Community Forum held at the Pataha Flour Mill on Tuesday, February 25 at 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Reports and updates from Garfield County Hospital, Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) Juan Sanchez, SEWEDA and other local entities will also be presented. The agenda is as follows:

Garfield County Hospital will present information regarding the upcoming Special Levy. Cindy Wolf will be leading the discussion.

Blue Mountain Action Council–Juan Sanchez with information regarding the April 1 Census.

As SEWEDA has worked through the Census with BMAC and the US Census Bureau, there are several key points, receiving Census letters by mail, alternative Census reporting methods and plans for a Census Night.

The Census Bureau will be mailing letters to residences on March 12 which will contain unique Census identification numbers necessary to successfully complete the survey through the on-line portal. For Pomeroy, the issue is the Census Bureau will not use Post Office (PO) Boxes. This becomes a conundrum for City residents and PO Box users. There are some alternatives to this method, but we are currently working on options that will provide all residents with their Census ID.

To ease this troublesome problem, SEWEDA is tentatively planning a Census Night for March 18. The idea would be to select two or three sites in town to provide assistance and answer questions regarding the on-line portal. Computers will be available and staff will be on site to assist in completing the survey successfully. SEWEDA and BMAC would like to solicit input on this activity at the Forum meeting.

Entity Updates (as time allows)

a. SEWEDA Board

b. Pomeroy Chamber of Commerce

c. Grant Morgan/City of Pomeroy progress regarding the water booster station

d. Friends of the Gazebo

e. Electric Car Charging Station

f. Port of Garfield – Update on Broadband

Please contact Jack Peasley with SEWEDA at [email protected] with any questions or other issues you would like to see addressed.

Lunch will be available with individual donations to the Mill.