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U.S. Census wants to recruit 1,200 to conduct interviews next spring MEDFORD -- The U.S. Census office wants to hire 1,200 people to do face-to-face interviews this spring with Jackson County residents who don't mail in their census forms. Mike Steenhout, local census office manager in Eugene, stressed that the counting of the nation's population is not for the federal government's benefit, but so that local governments and agencies may receive federal grants totaling $200 billion in such areas as schools, transportation, social services and employment. It is also used to apportion seats for the House of Representatives. The U.S. Constitution requires a census every 10 years. All information about individuals is held in strict confidence, even from other government agencies, for 72 years, Steenhout added. At that time it is released for genealogical purposes. "The census is critical to the quality of life in our community," Steenhout said. "It's for your benefit, not the government's, and it's important that we hire neighbors to count neighbors." The City of Medford is serving as lead agency for a census oversight committee to make sure the county's population is not undercounted, said Glenda Owens, assistant to the city manager. The committee will be made up of local community leaders and people from service agencies, businesses and municipalities, she said. The government runs background checks on applicants. Bilingual persons are encouraged to apply, he said. Many of the nonresponders are people in remote rural locations and those with post office boxes. In late March, census workers will devote three days to counting the homeless by visiting soup kitchens, shelters and "non-shelter outdoor locations" along riverbanks and under bridges, Steenhout said. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA