Amherst Fact Check: Has Our City Really Tripled in Population?
October 31, 2011
As an elected official, I feel it’s my duty to make sure that Amherst residents are given access to factual information about our city. Since a lot of misinformation gets tossed around by campaigns during election season, I think it helps to look at actual data and numbers so we can get an unbiased, objective look at the facts.
There are several exaggerations and falsehoods that have been circulating via Facebook and political campaign fliers lately, and I’d like to focus on each of them individually in separate blog posts this week.
Today, I want to take a look at one “urban legend” that has been making the rounds this week via some conversations between Amherst residents on Facebook: that the population of Amherst has tripled in the last 20 years, and our city government hasn’t beefed up police forces to keep up with this increase.
So, has the population of Amherst really risen by 300% in the last 20 years, as some political campaigners have claimed?
The answer is easy to find with some simple research: no, our population has NOT tripled in the last 20 years.
According to the US Census Bureau, the Amherst population in the 1990 census was 10,332. In the most recent census of 2010, the population was 12,021. This is a 16.3% increase in population in the past 20 years. Click here to see the official US Census Bureau information: http://quickfacts.census.gov/
A 16.3% increase in population is a far cry from the 300% increase that some people are quoting as fact. Claims that the City of Amherst’s population has exploded without an adequate build-up of police forces is simply not true. I hope that you’ll keep that in mind when you’re reviewing some of the “facts and figures” that are being shared with voters this election season.
Please share this information with your friends and neighbors in Amherst . . . more fact-checking to come tomorrow!
Lorain County Sheriff Prescription Drug Turn-In Program
October 25, 2011
The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force along with the Amherst Police Department (911 North Lake Street) will be holding a prescription turn-in program on Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 9:00am – 3:00pm. You may safely dispose of your no longer needed medication. No personal information will be asked. Please remove all prescription labels from your medication bottles before arriving. All medications will be held by law enforcement officers until they can safely be disposed.
Lorain County Flu Shots: Health District Flu Shot Clinics
October 25, 2011
Lorain County Health Commissioner, Kenneth G. Pearce has announced that the final flu shot clinics of the 2011 Lorain County General Health District will be held Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at:
- Lorain County JVS: 15181 State Route 58, Oberlin, OH 44074
- Avon High School: 37545 Detroit Rd., Avon, OH 44011
There is a $15 charge for the seasonal flu vaccine for residents within the Lorain County General Health District and a $20 charge for those who live outside of the Health District. Medicare and Medicaid will be accepted, and no one is refused due to an inability to pay. Additional information is below.
Lorain County Ohio Flu Shots
Message from Health Commissioner Pearce
Anyone can catch the flu. It is hard to predict when people will begin to get sick and how long the illness will last. To best protect both you and your family this flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. This year, the seasonal flu vaccine will guard against all types of influenza. You protect yourself and defend against the spread of the virus by receiving a flu shot.
According to the CDC, the following people should get the 2011 Seasonal Flu Vaccine:
- All people 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccine.
- People who are at a higher risk of severe flu and their close contacts including: healthcare personnel and close contacts of children younger than 6 months of age.
- People who got the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine, or had the flu in 2009 should still get the 2010-2011 seasonal flu vaccine.
Visit www.loraincountyflu.com or the call the Lorain County General Health District flu hotline (440) 329-7926 for the most up-to-date flu clinic and prevention information.