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2 Hurt Trying To Avoid Dead Deer On Road

By STEVEN DU BOIS; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Saturday, December 19, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





WILKES-BARRE- The city has found evidence that the U.S. Census Bureau
missed 1,950 homes when it compiled its list for the 2000 count. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 City officials said the bureau's oversights are extensive enough that they
missed every household in Sheridan Manor, a low- to moderate-income apartment
complex, and on Spruce Street. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Population is a key factor when federal and state agencies decide how much
money to give cities and towns. Mayor Thomas McGroarty projected the city
could lose at least $400,000 during the next ten years if the people living in
unaccounted-for homes are not tallied. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The city discovered the omissions after comparing the bureau's data with
city sewer, property tax and emergency response records. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With the city's population projected to shrink to less than 41,000 by the
end of decade, McGroarty said it is vital to count every single person. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "None of this rocket science, it just takes time," McGroarty said while
announcing the results of the city's three-month review at a press conference
Friday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A Census Bureau official in Philadelphia said Wilkes-Barre was
participating in a program available to many cities and towns, and serves as
one of the bureau's many accuracy checkers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The list he received is not the list we're going to use in 2000," said
Phillip Lutz, an assistant regional manager. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty said the bureau, like the city, wants an accurate count, so he
foresees no problem in getting the homes added. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I don't think the Census Bureau is going to screw us on this," McGroarty
said. "If they do, we'll sue them." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The mayor said the city still smarts from 1990 Census, when the city
bitterly disagreed with the bureau's 47,523 figure. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 City Clerk/Administrator William Brace said the city appealed that number,
but it came too late and was denied. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The city's population has declined steadily during the past 60 years. The
city had 86,000 residents in 1940, 63,000 residents in 1

W-b Pushes For Full-count In 2000 Census