Census jobs here

The U.S. Census Bureau needs more Mercer Island residents to apply for census jobs. It’s important to get a correct count for the 2010 Census. The pay is $17.50 an hour.

A testing date has now been set for Mercer Island City Hall. Please call (425) 749-5111 to sign up for an Application and Testing Session on Friday, Jan. 15, at noon in the City Hall Council Chambers, 9611 S.E. 36th St., Mercer Island.

Other training dates are also available.

For more information about working for the Census, application and practice test, please visit:

http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs or call the Bellevue 2010 Census office at (425) 749-5111. Census applicants can also call (866) 861-2010.

Turf replacement begins at South Mercer

The South Mercer Playfields turf project, which includes new base and synthetic turf infields for softball on three fields, is expected to start the week of Dec. 21.

Construction work hours are set for 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., with some work on the weekends. The majority of the project should be complete by the end of March 2010, allowing the fields to reopen by April.

In anticipation of possible conflicts with construction activities and the two schools near the project — Lakeridge Elementary and Islander Middle School — the city and school district have coordinated to ensure safe access to the area. Residents in the vicinity of the ballfields may notice a temporary increase in noise and traffic related to the project, the city warned, thanking residents in advance for their patience during construction.

Following the “phase one” turf replacement project, additional improvements may be installed in the summer and fall of 2010 as part of an anticipated “phase two” of the project. These additional improvements may include a batting cage, accommodations for limited food concessions, and electronic scoreboards.

Those with questions or comments can contact project manager Joan Weiser at 275-7880 or by e-mail at joan.weiser@mercergov.org.