BYRON — Charles Oliver does not understand why it is such a big deal that he had not returned census forms sent to his home this year. But when a worker from the U.S. Census Bureau turned up about 10 a.m. Tuesday to get the information, Oliver said, he obliged.
First name: Charles.
Last name: Oliver.
Date of birth: May 7, 1957.
As he answered questions, his eyes turned toward the long driveway leading up to his home. In it lay his 2-year-old Chihuahua, Sofie, surrounded by blood.
His census omission had cost him more than he had ever imagined.
“They know I’m here,” he said, wiping his eyes, then pointing toward Sofie, still in the driveway two hours later. “Why do they even need a census? Let me not pay my taxes. They’ll be here.
“They’ll find me.”
Oliver said the census worker, whom he described as an older, heavyset white male with medium length gray hair driving a newer model sport utility vehicle with a Vietnam Veteran tag, didn’t apologize after both men spotted Sofie. He simply left after being told to, incomplete census forms in tow.
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