LOCKHART — The Town of Lockhart will form a “Complete Count Committee” to ensure everyone in the town is counted on the 2010 U.S. Census.

Mayor Ailene Ashe said the committee was recommended by Don Johnson, an official with the U.S. Census Bureau who addressed Lockhart Town Council on Tuesday night. Mrs. Ashe said Johnson spoke on the importance of communities and states getting an accurate census count. She said Johnson said the town should form the committee to ensure that everyone in Lockhart is counted.

“It’s important to the town because we do not have a tax base and we get our money from the State Local Government Fund,” Mrs. Ashe said. “The funding is based on the number of residents in the town and that’s why everyone needs to be counted in the census.”

The 2000 Census recorded 617 people living in Lockhart, but Mrs. Ashe said since then the town has annexed more residences, bringing its population to approximately 700. She said this could mean increased revenue for the town but only if the new numbers are recorded by the census.

Mrs. Ashe said the council will review the information Johnson presented about forming the committee and its operations and discuss the matter further with him with hopes of forming the committee in the near future.

Johnson also told council the census bureau is in the process of hiring persons to conduct the 2010 count. Anyone from the Lockhart area interested in working for the census bureau during the 2010 count should call 1-866-861-2010.

Gubernatorial visitor

Mrs. Ashe also briefed council members on a visit to the Lockhart Town Hall by Gov. Mark Sanford on Wednesday afternoon.

Sanford, who was in Union to announce the appointment of Freddie Gault as Union County Clerk of Court, stopped in on his way back to Columbia. Mrs. Ashe said she and the governor spoke for about 15 minutes during which Sanford said he found Lockhart to be a very lovely town.

Christmas

The Christmas season was also on the agenda at Tuesday’s meeting with Mrs. Ashe annoucing the town’s Christmas Parade will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. The Christmas Parade Committee is being chaired by Barry Canupp.

The town is also seeking volunteers to help prepare its Christmas decorations. Anyone interested in assisting with the parade should call 545-2346. Those interested in helping with the deocations should 545-2103.

Yard Sale

Lockhart will hold its monthly community yard sale on Saturday, Nov. 14 beginning at 7 a.m.

Trash cans

Mrs. Ashe also announced Lockhart residents can now purchase a new 95-gallon trash can for $50 at the town hall. The town had previously gotten used trash cans from the City of Chester, but Mrs. Ashe said that supply had run out.

She looked into getting new trash cans and purchased a half-dozen from a company in Charlotte, N.C. for $50 each, including delivery. If more cans are needed, Mrs. Ashe said they will be purchased and made available to the public.