By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
For what it's worth, Forrest City is preparing to challenge the 2000 Census count.
According to the census figures, Forrest City gained not quite 1,000 people in population over the last 10 years. Mayor Larry Bryant has objected since the figures came out, saying if the figures at the Federal Correctional Institution are included, it would mean that Forrest City itself actually lost population.
"You see, we gained 2,000 with the prison," said Bryant. "If you back up 2,000 from the 14,744, it says that we lost. Take that off there, and we've lost about 1,000 people. And I don't really think we've lost 1,000 folks."
He said people have been moving into Forrest City. For instance, about one-third of the employees at the federal prison live in Forrest City.
"We don't have as many old raggedy shanties any more all through town -- we've torn down a number of those," Bryant continued. "But people have moved into apartments and they're all over the place."
He said in his opinion, the population must be growing.
"Evidently, there is a need for housing. Why would they be building a new apartment complex over here across from the hospital (Chapel Ridge Apartments, on Holiday Drive) with 64 units? And they are building new apartments across from the Catholic Church. We're building.
"They wouldn't be building these things if there was not a need. And if we were losing population the way they say, there wouldn't be a need."
Bryant said he wasn't expecting a large gain in the city's population.
"I just thought we'd at least stay even, and then the 2,000 at the prison would boost us over that magic number, 15,000."
He said it came down to state turnback, based on population.
"Based on $63 to $64 per person, that would be $64,000 a year that we lose. With $64,000 I could hire a fireman and a policeman."
He said the census will also affect districting for House seats in both the U.S. Congress and the State Legislature.
"The more people in Forrest City, the more money Forrest City will get, which means more money to do city business," he said. "And that's just on the front end. We're not talking about federal money, we're just talking about state turnback. All the money we can miss in 10 years, it could go up into the millions, based on the fact that we are short 1,000 or so people."
According to a press release from the Institute for Economic Advancement at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, challenges may be issued by local governments, tribal governments or those representing them or acting on their behalf.
According to the release, any corrections made will not be incorporated into 2000 Census data. The corrections will be used for making annual estimates beginning with July 2003.
A six-hour defensive driving course which was to be offered by East Arkansas Community College on Monday, April 2 and Tuesday, April 3 from 6-9 p.m. has been cancelled due to lack of participation.
The National Association of Blacks in criminal Justice, Forrest City Chapter, is sponsoring a sale of smoked Boston Butts.
Orders should be placed before Wednesday, April 4. The butts may be picked up Thursday or Friday, April 12,or 13, between 3:45 and 4:45 p.m.
The cost is $20.
To place an order or for more information, contact A. Norman at 870-630-6000, extension 1160, 1014 or 1361.