NOVEMBER 19, 2009 ???????

THE OBSERVER 7

LHP mayor hopes to capture millions in

federal funding with a correct Census count
By Andrea Freygang
The population of Light-
house Point (LHP) may have
doubled in the past 10 years,
but the only way to know for
sure is if all residents partici-
pate in the 2010 U.S. Census.
“Lighthouse Point is grow-
ing — in 2000, we estimated
around 10,000+, but if 2008
numbers are correct, for 2010
there are 24,801 operating in
LHP population may have doubled
and around Lighthouse
Point,” said Gloria Battle,
Partnership Specialist, U.S.
Census Bureau.
Other stats brought up by
Battle include the fact that
LHP is 12 percent African
American, 13 percent His-
panic, and 18 percent of
households in LHP don’t
speak English as their first
language. Another figure that
may surprise people is that
12 percent of its population
is under the poverty level,
but LHP also has one of the
largest snowbird populations
in the area.
Battle recently spoke to a
large crowd at LHP’s first
Census committee meeting
to ensure every resident gets
counted.
“Thirty-two percent of resi-
dents did not get counted in
gas tax is also divided by
Census.”
Both Schorr and Battle ad-
dressed the two main rea-
sons residents in LHP (or any
city for that matter) did not
participate: apathy and trust.
Apathy is the easier of the
two to manage — once the
Census forms are released
April 1, people across the
U.S. (this is a national count)
have only a few weeks to fill
and where and to determine
how many representatives we
have in Congress.”
Schorr said the Census is
10 questions and that is it.
The form is available in five
languages.
“We want to count every-
one, documented or undocu-
mented — we don’t care,”
said Battle. “The mere fact
that you are on American soil,
walk on our sidewalks, drive
on our roads, use our hospi-
tals — you impact our ser-
vices by the mere fact you
breathe on American soil.”
Anyone with questions re-
garding the upcoming Cen-
sus can reach Gloria Battle at
954-263-4174 or at
Gloria.j.battle@census.gov.

Keechl named mayor

the 2000 Census. That means
the city lost at least $4 mil-
lion in federal funding,” said
of Broward County LHP Mayor Fred Schorr,
though he added later that
By Andrea Freygang the number could be much
Broward County has a new higher if the population
mayor. During its Tuesday, Nov. growth is accurate. “There
out the form before Census
workers will knock on doors
asking people to fill out.
“These records are sealed
for 72 years and no one can and
see them, not even the presi-
dent,” said Schorr, asking the Mens & Womens Alterations
committee for help in reach-

DRYCLEANING
17 commission meeting, Broward are 159 grant programs based ing all residents of LHP. We
County Commission unanimously on Census numbers, and with “They are not used for regis- Now
voted to appoint Dist. 4 Commis- the stimulus package, we tration, taxes, immigration— Accept
sioner Ken Keechl as mayor. applied but did not get money the only purpose is to see

HOLIDAY SALE
Keechl represents a large swath of because of low numbers. The how many residents live here
Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, Commissioner Ken
Hillsboro Beach and Pompano Keechl is now mayor
among other areas. of Broward. Youth Violence continued from pg 1
“Ken is a credit to our community and it is (his) turn for decrease in forcible rapes and aggravated assaults.
leadership,” said outgoing mayor Stacy Ritter. “The role Nationally, youth crime numbers fell in 2008, while Name Brand Ladies Apparel
of mayor is more involved, more demanding on time … Broward County’s youth crime numbers rose. & Accessories Petite to Plus
good luck. I wish you well.” Where does the blame belong? Many people are di-
Commissioner Sue Gunzburger, who represents south- vided on the cause of such violence. See more discussion 954-481-9111
ern Broward County, was appointed vice-mayor. on possible areas to look at in next week’s Observer. 1600 SE 3rd Court • Deerfield Beach
Cove Shopping Center

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