March 23, 2011: Our readers write

Questions of census
It was reported in The News-Enterprise on March 20, source being the U.S. Census Bureau, that the population of Radcliff had a significant decrease during the 2010 census (1.2 percent). Although we are not privileged to all the methods/details utilized by the U.S. Census Bureau in developing its statistical data, we do know that accurate accounting of same is extremely important.

Federal and state money, political representation both federal and state, and other very vital factors become involved that weigh in on the future posture of a city such as Radcliff. A prime concern I have with the reported statistic of the Radcliff population is whether the U.S. Census Bureau properly analyzed and interpreted the data gathered on Radcliff residents.

An example of my concerns is the housing development on South Wilson Road known  as Brightside. This property has been in Radcliff several years and the residents pay taxes to, and have the city services of, Radcliff. Yet, for U.S. mail delivery, they are required to have a ZIP code of 42701, city of Elizabethtown.

So, is it not possible that the U.S. Census Bureau’s official analysts, upon review of the census form data, and noting the Elizabthtown address/ZIP code, perhaps assumed those residents should be counted in the Elizabethtown figures?

Brightside is by no means the only land development officially in the city of Radcliff that has a ZIP Code of another city. The Vine Grove ZIP code of 40175 is another to where Radcliff residents pay taxes and receive their city services, but their mailing address is Vine Grove. It just appears conceiveable that the noted Radcliff residents who did not have a Radcliff ZIP code, may have been counted in the population of another city.

For these reasons, I feel the U.S. Census Bureau should recalculate its figures insofar as the city of Radcliff is concerned. This challenge to the U.S. Census Bureau should be of paramount concern to all Radcliff residents falling in the categories specified herein.

I would also point out that residents in the above categories should be properly identified and credited to the city of Radcliff for another reason. Insurance premium taxes, which residents pay, are a vital part of the revenue stream of the city’s budget where they live. If those insurance premium taxes are not being paid to the proper city, then that city’s general revenue suffers. In essence, it may be that insurance premium taxes of some residents of Radcliff are being paid to another city in error.

Don Shaw
Radcliff City Councilman