Residents who live most of their time in Ocean County, but who may be elsewhere in March, are reminded NOT to return the Census form they receive at their winter location. Instead, they should wait until they return home to be counted. “This is a critical Census issue for us,” said Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari. “People who live here most of the time should be counted here or else we will be under represented and under funded for many of the programs that we provide to our residents.” “We had folks tell us they were given incorrect information and representatives tried to get them to return the forms incorrectly from where they were vacationing. When someone actually returned with an article, it was proof positive of the influence at least one state exerted last Census,” Vicari said.

Freeholder Vicari said he is concerned because an article that was published in the Florida Sun-Sentinel at the time related to “snowbirds,” or people who are in one area elsewhere but spend their winters in another region. The newspaper reported that a state-funded committee, Sunshine 2000, was formed that “spent $80,000 on a last-minute cable television campaign targeting the birds.”

“The Census is very clear on where people should be counted. There is only one issue to be considered. It is where the person lives and sleeps most of time, which actually could be less than six months if they live in three or more places during the year. It has nothing to do with citizenship, homestead rebates, where the car is insured or the town in which one votes,” he said.

“We have never tried to encourage our thousands of summer residents and vacation homeowners to be counted here in the Census,” Vicari said. “We should be spending our effort ensuring every person is counted, not trying to hi-jack them from one state to another.”

“For people living elsewhere in March, we want to remind them that if you live here most of the year, remember to wait until you return to be counted. They also should know that all Census information is confidential and has withstood court challenges, even by other government agencies,” he said.

For those who want to be counted in Ocean County, forms will be available at Questionnaire Assistance Centers, including one which will be housed at the County Connection in the Ocean County Mall in Toms River or they can call 732-678-5050 upon their return to locate a site closer to their home. The original Census form sent to their home will not be forwarded to their winter address. Jacksononline.