By The North Chilton Advertiser staff

There are numerous ways to let your voice be heard. You could attend a city council meeting and speak your mind about an issue of public concern. You could cast a vote in a local election. Or, you could be sure that you will be counted in the upcoming 2010 U.S. Census.
The census brings us new population counts for every U.S. city and town every 10 years. The last census was taken in the year 2000.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 56 percent of Chilton County residents participated in the 2000 census.
This number is lower than the Alabama and national averages, of 61 and 67 percent, respectively.
Next March, you should receive an official census form through the mail. You should promptly answer the simple questions on the form and mail it back in the postage-paid envelope that is provided.
Anyone who doesn’t submit a completed form will likely be visited by a census worker. The worker will proceed to ask the questions that appear on the form.
It’s important to participate in the census. The information gathered is used to distribute more than $300 billion annually in federal funds. It is also a factor in determining loan eligibility.
We’re a county that prides ourselves on our independence, and we believe in small government. But not returning the census is like cutting off your nose to spite your face.
By not counting everyone, Chilton County potentially received less money for schools and roads, and less of a voice in Washington, D.C.
An accurate population count allows for needed improvement of many programs, such as education, healthcare, transportation, social services and emergency response.