Fill out census
To the editor:
During the month of March, every household across the nation is receiving a census form.
Required once every 10 years by law, the Census 2010 will count every man, woman and child living in the United States. Results are used to reapportion seats in Congress and assure proper district representation in state and local governments.
Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to tribal, state and local governments based on census data. This federal funding is available and it will go to the communities with the highest return rates. This funding will help us ensure that we have enough schools, hospitals, child-care and senior citizen centers within our city.
We all now have the opportunity to improve even more our way of life in St. Cloud for the next 10 years. But a lack of participation can result in our community receiving less federal funding and less access to important services and resources than we might otherwise have received.  
During Census 2000, 72 percent of the nation returned completed census forms; only 59 percent of households in St. Cloud returned their census forms. I believe we can do better this time around. That’s why I am encouraging and issuing a challenge to everyone in St. Cloud (including our winter weather residents) to take 10 minutes to participate in the census by answering the 10-question census form.
The Census 2010 form is actually one of the shortest and simplest in U.S. history – it’s short, simple and safe. Together, we can create a better tomorrow for ourselves, our family and our community. Please complete your census form and return it today.
Donna Hart
Mayor, St. Cloud

Thanks for stories
To the editor:
I just wanted to thank you for all the articles that you put in your paper regarding the wall in Buenaventura Lakes.
I feel that we lost the battle but we won the war, meaning we went from getting no wall, to the wall that they (Osceola County commissioners) decided on. It’s not what we wanted but it’s better than what we have.
I’m only sorry that I didn’t get the backing from the people whom I represented. But I’m not going away. I’ll be here for a long time trying to get what’s best for the people of BVL.
Once again, I thank you.
Richard Appleton
Kissimmee