Census count is in your hands

BY TRACEY MELENDEZ

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 11:10 AM EDT

Census officials are working to ensure that individuals realize the safety and importance of filling out the Census form during the spring of next year.

During February and March 2010, Census questionnaires will be mailed to each home around the nation. The Census will determine the amount of benefits each community receives, including the percentage of more than $300 billion the government has to distribute.

In order to do so, the Census data is vital and every person must get counted.

That was the message Charles H Mohan, a Partnership Specialist for the Census, carried as he stressed the fact that there is still a large segment of the population that is not receiving benefits because they did not fill out the Census form.

“Our focus is to keep people counted,” said Mohan. “If you are not counted you lose benefits,” that include new hospitals, schools and better transportation.

We lose $80 to $90 million for every one percent of persons that do not get counted,” he added.

The Census also determines the number of congressional seats each state gets, a number that has been declining in New York State for years.

“If you look at the statistics, you see that, for example, in 1940, the number of congressional seats for New York was 45 and in 2000 that number went down to 29,” said Mohan. If the pattern continues, “we are at risk of losing two more seats next year.”

The 2010 Census is a 10-question form, which does not ask for personal information such as social security number or immigration status.

Officials say the information is secure and anyone who shares the information can face a five-year prison sentence or a $250,000 fine.

“We take an oath for life,” said Mohan. “We do not share any information.”

To get more information on the 2010 Census, visit their website at 2010census.gov.