FDW held its November meeting on Saturday the 16th, 1:00-3:00 pm at the Heritage Bank at 440 N Jeff Davis Ave. in Fayetteville. The topic for the meeting was “Why the “Count” Matters: The 2020 Census and how it Impacts Us”. Mr. Antonio Valadez, a Partnership Specialist with the US Census Bureau addressed the membership and guests on why census is important. He explained that the census determines representation in Congress, so it’s very important for county residents to respond. Mr. Valadez gave FDW members a charge to please cooperate by completing the census questionnaires once received electronically or via mail and then return the forms promptly, and to encourage others to do so as well. Mr. Valadez also encouraged FDW members to identify people to apply to become Census workers.
The second speaker, FDW member, Ms. Tish Naghise, Lead Coordinator for Fair Count GA in Region 2 emphasized how the population count will affect the congressional districts, funding and gerrymandering for the next 10 years.
“These federal funds support programs in our communities that impact housing, education, transportation, employment, healthcare and public policy,” she said.”
