2/8/2010 6:00:00 AM
Official: Census count pays off
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KINGMAN - For every one person not counted in the census, their home county loses $1,000 in funding each year, said Sonia Cunningham with the Denver Regional Census Center.
And since the census is done only once every 10 years, that one uncounted person translates into $10,000 in lost funding - a number that Cunningham said quickly adds up.
"It takes 10 minutes to answer 10 questions that will affect services for the next 10 years," she said.
The numbers aren't just used for funding purposes, either. At the last census in 2000, Mohave County's population tallied at 155,000, and recent estimates put the population now at around 196,000. Reaching the 200,000 population-mark would mean two more county supervisors, Cunningham said, and another judge for the county superior court, according to Judge John Taylor.
Cunningham and Taylor offered their comments at the Kingman Republican Women meeting Feb. 1 at the Elks Lodge.
Arizona as a whole is also in line to add two more state representatives due to projected population increases, Cunningham said.
The U.S. government will officially start its census count April 1. The forms will be distributed to residents beginning in March.
There is still a question as to whether those in Mohave County will receive their census forms by mail or whether they will be hand-delivered. The forms can be used to list up to 12 people in a household and request information such as race, gender, age and birth date.
Cunningham said that by law, the information submitted by residents cannot be held or used against them.
Mohave County had a 60-percent return rate on the forms in the last census. The city of Kingman had a 68-percent return rate.
Around a dozen "Question Assistance Centers" will begin operating for six weeks beginning in March to answer questions from residents about the census process. The locations of those centers have not yet been determined.
Cunningham urged residents to return their forms, but she also cautioned against scam artists who may be using the process as a means to gain personal information.
Census workers take an oath of confidentiality with a penalty of $250,000 and five years in prison for disclosing information gathered in the census.
Census workers who visit homes must display an identification badge, Cunningham said. She also said that no census worker would ever ask for a person's Social Security number and would not ask for donations.
The official census form is not the same as the American Community survey mailed to 25,000 homes each month, she added, nor is the one being distributed by the Republican Party that asks for a donation.
The government is still looking for people to assist in this year's count. Those interested in becoming a census worker can call 1 (866) 861-2010 for more information.
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Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Donna
Ummm, have you tried reading the constitution? That's how I learned about it....
Really, extremism on either side is getting out of hand. I know this sounds cheesy, but why can't we all just get along?
Posted: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Article comment by:
Woody
Don't bite Donna... I bruise easy. (yes you did)
S.T.E.P. was an organization of Citizens who assembled peaceably, to learn and understand the state and federal Constitutions... amoung other things. Which included the so-called energy crisis created by the government, the differences in all the taxes, laws made and NOT made in persuance to the Constitution and by contract, how we unknowingly give up Rights for privileges. Which can be TAKEN away by the master on a whim.
oh, and by the way, to whom it may concern... yes, we were a bunch of "looney tunes". A few of the other "tunes" there were Ty Hardin, Rev. Lindsey Williams, author of "The Energy Non-crisis." Plus a couple politicians. I'm sure there were a few govenment and public servants in the audience. But they did not identify themselves...
"LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC, DEATH TO THE NEW WORLD ORDER" (Mark from Michigan)
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Article comment by:
PIZZLE
@ "Census- what census???"
It does not start until March. Thats when you should get your packets. They're just trying to get the word out in advance
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Article comment by:
Donna
OK WOody, I'll bite. What is STEP?
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Article comment by:
Woody
NNP...
Let me put it THIS way...
SHOW me the "LAW" that determines which, if any, questions DEMAND answering.
I've heard of many threats of imprisonment. Myself included. If they want to arrest me for NOT answering ALL the questions... DO IT! But show me the "LAW" first and stop threatening me!!!
You see, as most people are discovering, ALL branches of government are saturated with prevaricators and thieves. They are also so egotistical, they actually believe they are better and so much more intelligent than the average Joe Sixpack. But, all that is rapidly coming to an abrupt end.
It is truly gratifying to see that since S.T.E.P., 27 years ago, so many good people are finally pulling their heads out of the sand. I think the irony of the whole thing is due in part by the government showing their own true lies, I mean colors...
LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC, DEATH TO THE NEW WORLD ORDER!!!
Anyone can easily threaten another. but does that make it lawful? If you don't answer that question, i'll have you arrested!
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Article comment by:
Kevin D.
Let's take a look at: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/ to see where our tax dollars are going. And, yes, Article I, Section 2, of the Constitution does require a decennial enumeration of the population to apportion members of the House of Representatives which in turn shifts the political power structure between states to the advantage of states with growing populations. So, if you live in a state that is not growing as quickly as others, or even losing population, it would be in your self interest to encourage citizens in Arizona and Nevada, for example, not to participate in order to retain the status quo.
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Article comment by:
Donna
A little history lesson: The constitution calls for a census every ten years so that each person can be fairly represented in the US House of Representatives.
Since then the census has been used to gather other related demographic data like family size and composition, race, gender, first language and income. This information is used by various branches of our government to plan how much and what kind of services to offer in different areas based on need. It is also used to figure out how much money to give away for roads and schools and other infrastructure projects. The census is a good thing, and no one is going to ask you questions like, how many guns do you own or what church do you go to? If they do, report them immediately to the Census Bureau.
If someone threatened to send you to jail for not answering questions, they were scamming you. If they ask for money they are scamming you. Call the Sheriff if you are not sure, a real census agent will have ID and the Sheriff will earn his paycheck.
Looney tunes or not, if you don't answer the questions we will not get the services we need for our current population. It would be great if you could bring yourself to answer the ten questions for your neighbor's sake if not your own!
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Article comment by:
realistic,
150 questions,hours to complete a 2006 questionare,fisrt the cesus is done every 10 years not six,and 10 minutes,not hours and 150 question,may be it was 10 questions from them and 140 from you,get real.
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Article comment by:
V Stokes
Uhhhh...nnp...its because you apparently can't read or understand things very well.
The US census is every 10 years...as in 2000, 2010, 2020..etc. You don't have to answer every question...you don't even have to answer at all..but there is no reason not to. This is what is used to determine things like the number of congressmen or state reps you have. Also..money for certain projects, companies may use these numbers to determine if they should open a store here, people use these stats to maybe determine if they should consider moving here.
Yes..it's 10 questions....but they are very simple. Things like how many people live here, what ages, what sexes, do you own your home, how long have you lived there, are you employed, what is your yearly income...etc etc..
If you look at Kingmans demographics on their Wiki page..the census is where all the info comes from.
IIRC there are the short questionnaires and then there is a longer form that some people may get. Can't be sure of that though.
And people..please...I can find out more current info about you (except for maybe employment and income) in probably 15 min than what the census asks.
You'll put more info on a job application at HD than you fill out for the census. How safe do you think that is???
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Article comment by:
No name provided
I was threatened by the census center that I would suffer prison time if I did not participate in the 2006 census. So what is this about once every ten years when it has only been four. I also know someone to which the center went to thier home and threatened prison time if he did not take the time to talk with them. Also the form I filled out took nearly an hour and a half with over 150 questions. I am a bit confused on all this and find it to be rather a government scam of some sort as well as overly intrusive.
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Article comment by:
Woody
Looks like you got there first...
"looney tunes"??? So it's "looney tunes" is it? So just call me "looney tunes too.
Why don't YOU get educated? We'll make you the mascot and call you "Foghorn Leghorn". After all, looney seems to be the most popular thing to be...
Which is better than being incredible and terminally stupid!
To prove my point... Can you tell, show or advise me as to where it says it is unAmerican NOT to participate? Other than from your brain washed, conditioned, liberal opinion?
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Article comment by:
Woody
"It takes 10 minutes to answer 10 questions that will affect services for the next 10 years,"...
10 QUESTIONS???
The last I heard, the census was a people count... "How many people live here?" THAT number and that number alone determines the amount and quality? of services. I have NEVER answered to more than that.
It now sounds like they want most of your life's history!
Cunningham said, "That by law, the information submitted by residents cannot be held or used against them."
And by the same token, what you don't tell them, other than the number of people in the household, can not be held or used against you.
Remember, these "people", have a very unique way of extracting information from you without your knowledge. Even if you aren't doing something wrong or hiding anything... It's called phycological profiling.
"Blind faith in your government can get you killed."
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Article comment by:
Census- what census???
We have not been contacted about the census- neither by mail nor in person.
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Article comment by:
No name provided
"Mohave County had a 60-percent return rate on the forms in the last census"
INCREDIBLE! What is the big deal about answering 10 simple questions? I`m sure the looney tunes will claim the government is trying to compile secret data to use against them. To not participate is un-American. Mine will be filled out and returned promptly.
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