In March 2010, every household across the nation will receive a census form. Many households in Whitefish have already received their census form. Required once every 10 years by the U.S. Constitution, the 2010 Census will attempt to count every man, woman and child living in the United States.

Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to tribal, state and local governments based on census data. But a lack of participation can result in our community and state receiving less federal funding and less access to important services and resources than we might otherwise have received.

We estimate that Whitefish receives approximately $690,801 in funds distributed on a population basis or approximately $83.42 for every person counted. Many of those funds are used to maintain our streets and roads.

Census data also are used to reapportion seats in Congress and assure proper district representation in state government. An accurate count will help ensure the people in Whitefish are fairly represented in all levels of government.

During Census 2000, only 54 percent of households in Whitefish returned their census forms by mail. Nationally, 72 percent did so as of the April 2000 cut-off, and in Montana 67 percent of the forms were returned by mail.

I believe Whitefish can and must do better in 2010. Returning the forms by mail also saves the federal government time, effort, and money and helps to ensure an accurate count.

That's why today, we are issuing a challenge to everyone in Whitefish to take 10 minutes to participate in the census by answering the 10-question census form and returning it by mail in the postage-paid envelope. Together, we can create a better tomorrow for our community and each of its citizens, their families, and our visitors.

Chuck Stearns is the city manager of Whitefish.