Census response is civic duty

The Census Bureau has begun its once-in-a-decade job of counting the American population, but it can’t do the job right without you.

The bureau has the task of fulfilling the constitutional mandate of finding out how many people live in the United States to ensure accurate representation. And whether or not you agree with everything the Census Bureau does, it is every citizen’s duty to participate.

Fortunately, Montanans are known for their high level of civic participation. Our state ranks in the top four, along with North and South Dakota and Wyoming, for turning in the forms so far.

If you are worried about your privacy, don’t be. The form only asks 10 questions, much less than you would fill out on a normal job application, and less than was found on a lot of earlier census forms.

Plus, if you don’t fill out your form, you will just have to deal with a census-taker coming to your home later this year. Do yourself and your country a favor, and return the form that was delivered to your home earlier this month.

WE (AND NO DOUBT many devoted customers) hope for a swift return of Famous Dave’s to the local restaurant landscape.

The barbecue restaurant in north Kalispell has been shut down since a fire struck a few weeks ago. Direct fire damage was confined to the west end of the building, but there was smoke and water damage throughout the restaurant.

Restaurant owners hope to get the damage cleaned up and the eatery reopened by summer. For Famous Dave’s customers as well as the employees of the restaurant, the reopening can’t come soon enough.

It has been heartening to see the help from neighboring businesses who have assisted Famous Dave’s workers during their cleanup efforts.