The census questionaire is quick but the effects are long lasting

It's anonymous and quick. You're filling in circles, answering a few questions, but what you do can make a huge impact on your community. Just ask Dearborn Mayor Jack O'Reilly.

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About $400 billion every year in federal funds is distributed based on the census count, said Ahmad Nassar, partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau Detroit office. Census figures are also used to determine House of Representative seats and other legislative districting.

"If the figures come out short for any community, they are going to stay short for 10 years," Nassar told about a dozen people during a forum Thursday night at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn. The League of Women Voters of Dearborn-Dearborn Heights organized the event.

Mayor Jack O'Reilly also attended and stressed the value of the census and asked residents to help spread the word.

"It really is important for how the funding is given," O'Reilly said.

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