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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2001)
NOTICES Census Bureau Facts In marking the observance of American Indian Heritage Month in November, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Public Information Office culled the following data from previously released reports on the American Indian and Alaska Native population: Income and Poverty American Indians and Alaska Natives had a median household income of $30,784, based on a three-year average (1997-1999). This is higher than for African Americans ($26,608) and not statistically different from Hispanics ($29,110), but lower than for non-Hispanic whites ($43,287) and Asians/Pacific Islanders ($48,614). Based on a three-year average (1997-1999), the poverty rate for American Indians and Alaska Natives was 25.9 percent. This is higher than the poverty rates for non-Hispanic whites (8.2 percent) and Asians/Pacific Islanders (12.4 percent), but not statistically different from the rates for African Americans (25.4 percent) and Hispanics (25.1 percent). Health Insurance Based on a three-year average (1997-1999), 27.1 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives lack health insurance coverage. Their rate is significantly higher than that of African Americans (21.6 percent), Asians/ Pacific Islanders (20.9 percent), and non-Hispanic whites (11.6 percent), but lower than that of Hispanics (34.3 percent). Voting Nationwide, it was expected that 1.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives were of voting age on Election Day on Nov. 7. California (240,000), Oklahoma (170,000), Arizona (159,000), and 16 New Mexico (103,000) had the highest numbers. Households and Families Between July 1, 2000, and July I, 2010, the Census Bureau projects that the number of American Indian and Alaska Native households in the United States will climb from 754,180 to 906,036. On July 1, 2000, according to projections made in 1995, 74 percent of the nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native households were family households. Of these families, 65 percent were maintained by married couples, 26 percent by women with no husband present, and 9 percent by men with no wife present. The typical American Indian and Alaska Native family was made up of 3.57 people, larger than the average 3.12 people for families of all races. Tribal Council member Rosemary Landis presents a check to the Siletz men’s softball team from the Siletz Tribal Charitable Ad Hoc Committee. Save on your Electric Bill The most electricity in your home is used by electric heat, air conditioners, electric hot water, and your electric dryer. Get an automatic thermostat. Those long showers are nice, but cost you extra money. Do you really need to run the dryer that often? Make sure you don’t have bad breakers or loose connections at the breaker. Depending where you live, heating and cooling are the largest contributors to most household energy bills and are the best places to save money. Make sure your home is well insulated and then make sure your heating and cooling systems are running efficiently. Get your central systems checked annually. To keep equipment running efficiently, keep heating and cooling air ducts clean and outdoor equipment free from dirt and other debris. Education In the fall of 1996, 134,(XX) non-Hispanic American Indians were enrolled in the nation’s colleges and universities, up from 84,000 in the fall of 1980. Of these individuals, about half attended two-year schools, nearly 6 in 10 were women, more than 8 in 10 went to public schools, and more than 9 in 10 were undergraduates. During the 1995-96 school year, about 15,(XX) of the nation’s American Indians and Alaska Natives received college degrees, either an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctor’s, or other professional. Population Distribution The nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native resident (See Census on page 17) Where to Install Smoke Detectors Here is some information on where to install smoke detectors. Local codes may vary, so check first. Place wall-mounted units so the top of the detector 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling. Place ceiling-mounted detectors at least 4 inches from the nearest wall. In a room with a pitched ceiling, mount the detector at or near the ceiling’s highest point. Place detectors near bedrooms, within 15 feet of sleeping areas. The National Fire Alarm Code, developed by NFPA, requires a smoke detector in each sleeping room for new construction. It’s a good idea to place one on each level of the house. Also, additional detectors can be installed near the furnace and washer and dryer. Because smoke rises, mount detectors high on a wall or on the ceiling. Place them in an area away from air vents. The basement ceiling near the steps to the first level is a good location. But don’t install the detector at the top of the basement stairs where there is a closed door. Dead air space near the door may prevent smoke from reaching the detector. There is more to checking a smoke detector than just pushing the test button. Dust and even small insects can sometimes block a photoeye type or ionization type of smoke detector. Clean them and change the batteries periodically. If they are hard-wired, make sure they have a battery backup. Smoke detectors should not be taken lightly. They could save your life.
