Berkeley mayor carmen amato says "get counted"

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ – Berkeley Township Mayor Carmen Amato this week reminded residents in his town, which supported him 75-25 in last November’s election says make sure you get counted in this year’s census. The census is used to calculated federal funding for the township.

A Census 2020 billboard truck is traveling through areas of Ocean County and Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, (right) and Berkeley Township Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. took advantage of the backdrop to urge all Ocean County residents to fill out the 2020 Census questionnaire.

Census workers are also traveling with the billboard and can help people fill out the Census form on the spot eliminating the need for Census workers to visit the homes of residents who have not submitted their forms.

“An accurate Census count is incredibly important to Ocean County and will help determine the amount of federal and state aid that we receive for the next decade,” Vicari said. “We ask that anyone who has not yet completed their Census forms to please do so as soon as possible.”

“Filing your census form will be extremely beneficial to Berkeley Township. If you haven’t yet, PLEASE fill out your Census 2020 form ASAP! I also want our residents to be aware, that those who haven’t filed their census forms, you will be visited by a census enumerator. The census enumerators will be knocking on doors in Berkeley Township in an effort to assist residents in filing your forms. The census enumerators will have proper identification,” Mayor Amato said.

The census counts are critical in how the Federal Government allocates funding. The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for our community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data.

The 2020 Census can be submitted online at 2020CENSUS.GOV, by phone (844-330-2020), or by mail. If you do not have internet access or need assistance, Ocean County Library branches have laptops dedicated to the public for use in completing the Census. Trained staff is also available for assistance and can be reached by contacting a local county library branch.

“Let’s be COUNTED and get our fair share of funding from the Federal Government. To date, Berkeley Township has had one of the highest response rate in Ocean County. We have had a 72.9% response rate thus far. In 2010, our FINAL response rate was 74.1%. We need to do better, file your census form today,” said Mayor Amato.

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