Help wanted: census enumerators

    MERCED — People count — but first, there needs to be people to make the count.
    The lack of Mountain Area residents interested in working for the Census Bureau in the decennial population count is frustrating to a Coarsegold resident in charge of the effort.
    David Hess, who emerged from retirement to serve as manager for the Census Bureau’s Merced District people-count, is worried. “It’s kind of an emergency,” Mr. Hess declared this week.
    Despite extensive recruitment efforts, people-counters (“enumerators”) are not applying for the jobs that pay more than $9 an hour.
    Although the census is conducted partially with forms that are mailed to all households, there is still considerable effort required to knock on doors and find persons who weren’t reached via mail, or who overlooked the mailed form.
    “It is important that every person be counted,” Mr. Hess says. “That’s why it is important that we also have a good crew out there completing this effort by reaching those people who were missed.”
    Still, the fact remains that there aren’t many takers. Workshops scheduled to attract potential helpers have largely been ignored by Mountain Area residents.
    “Times are good, fewer people are unemployed,” Mr. Hess suspects as part of the reason for lack of interest.

Monday last day to register to vote

    MADERA — Monday [February 7] is the last day to register for the March 7 primary election.
    Eastern Madera County residents can register in Oakhurst until 7 p.m. Monday.
    County Clerk - Recorder Rebecca Martinez says a representative of her office will be at Yosemite Bank between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and then will be set up in front of Raley’s until 7 p.m.
    The clerk’s office at the Madera County Government Center in Madera will also be open Monday until 7 p.m.
    Registration cards are available during regular business hours at branch libraries in North Fork and Oakhurst; at post offices in Ahwahnee, Bass Lake, Coarsegold, North Fork, O’Neals, Oakhurst and Raymond.
    Also, Eastern Madera Coun-ty Chamber of Commerce and the Sierra Yosemite Visitors Bureau offices in Oakhurst.
    Cards may be completed and handed to the clerk’s representatives; or cards are available from the representatives.
    Voters are reminded that it is necessary to re-register if they are new residents of Madera County, have moved since the last election, or have changed their name or party affiliation.
    Information: 675-7720.