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Effort begins to make census count

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY ­- Everybody counts.

That's the message the U.S. Census Bureau is trying to get across in communities across the nation about the 2010 census.

Unfortunately, not everybody was counted in 2000, the last year a nationwide census was taken.

In Michigan City, the Census Bureau pinpointed "hot track" areas by indicating general locations where fewer than half the population completed and sent in a census form. Michigan City's predominately black neighborhoods formed hot tracks in the 2000 census, and La Porte County African-American Democratic Organization members want to make sure that doesn't happen again in 2010,

"That's a loss to Michigan City," said Willie Milsap, D-5th Ward, who called a meeting in the Fifth Ward office Thursday night to form a Complete Count Committee. The committee was assisted by Cynthia Crump, a government partnership specialist based in Chicago.

Crump serves as a resource with government entities in an eight-county region.

"I want to be sure you get a complete count by making sure everybody understands the census," she said.

She handed out sample census forms and pamphlets that explain the basics of the census process. Crump said it's important to count as many people in an area as possible because the federal government uses the information to figure out funding for: Head Start programs; Women, Infants and Children food grants; public transportation; and facilities for children, seniors and people with disabilities, among other things.

"On average, for each person not counted, the community can lose about $400 per year in potential funding," Crump said. "The census lasts for 10 years, so that's $4,000 for one person."

Milsap said he wants to mobilize volunteers in the black community to work with churches, schools and other groups to get the message out about the importance of completing the census form and help people get it done. He knows how important it is to use volunteers who are known and trusted. They will be able to put fears to rest, such as whether the information will be used to arrest people in the household.

Crump assured the group the numbers are kept confidential and only used for statistical purposes.

"It's held confidential within the census (bureau) and is not shared with other agencies," she said.

The Census Bureau will hire some local people to do the job of enumerators who go door-to-door to make sure households have received the census forms and completed them.

Milsap said Michigan City Public Library is offering tests from 1 to 4 p.m. every Monday for people who want to be put on a waiting list for census enumerators. The enumerators will work mostly in the evenings and on weekends to catch people at home, Crump said, and will work a variable number of hours, at an hourly rate of $15 per hour. She didn't know how many might be hired for this area.

The 2010 census form has 10 questions that can be answered in 10 minutes, according to Crump. Census forms will be sent out across the country in March 2010. Households that haven't completed a census form will be sent another one in April. From May to July, those who still haven't filled out forms will be contacted by census workers about completing a personal interview.

The U.S. Congress determines the questions on the census forms, Crump said. All population counts must be delivered to President Barack Obama by Dec. 31, 2010.

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Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.

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Getting ready for Census

Deborah Sederberg/The News-Dispatch Carole Goodwin (wearing hat) and her granddaughter Ryan Goodwin both took the Census Employment Test at the Michigan City Public Library on Monday.
By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 4:17 AM CST
It’s time to count you — and you and you and you.

That’s what the country does every 10 years.

The Constitution directs, “[An] Enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of 10 years, in such manner as they shall by law direct.”

According to the U.S. Constitution Online, the first Census was completed in 1790.

Now, in 2010, it’s time again for a counting and the U.S. Census Bureau is hiring hundreds of thousands of temporary workers for a variety of jobs all over the country.

“Area residents can apply to earn good weekly pay, enjoy flexible hours and be part of a historic opportunity to serve their communities,” the Census Bureau’s online recruiting material proclaims.

The pay rate in northern Indiana is $14 per hour.

Nine people met with two recruiter assistants, Phyllis Bouden, La Porte, and Judy Phillips, Michigan City, to learn about census jobs and to take a 30-minute, 28-question multiple-choice Census Employment Test on Monday afternoon at the Michigan City Public Library. Designed to assess clerical skills, reading skills, number skills, organizational skills and skill sets needed to effectively interpret information and evaluate alternatives, the test will be given several more times in La Porte County. Those times and places are listed in a sidebar to this story.

Ryan Goodwin and her grandmother Carole Goodwin both took the test.

“I did this 10 years ago and I enjoyed it,” Carole Goodwin said.

Ryan, who is married and works at the Big R store, said the family could use a little extra cash.

That’s what brought Bouden, who worked for the U.S. Postal Service in California for 20 years, to the Census. “I have some dental bills to pay,” she said.

A former waitress at M&M Restaurant, Phillips said she has worked at a variety of jobs since that restaurant closed.

J.R. Klein and Earl Henderson didn’t know each other before they sat at the same table for the Census test, but they are in related business. Klein is a marine surveyor. He inspects boats before they are sold. Henderson represents boat manufacturers to those who sell boats.

Neither man has much work during Michigan City winters. Klein often spends winters working in Florida, but for personal reasons this year cannot make the trip.

“I belong to the Michigan City Exchange Club,” Henderson said, “and the club encourages us to get involved in our communities. I’m thinking of (working the Census) as part of my contribution to the community.”

Phillips said the tests will be graded and based on test scores and other qualifications, census officials will decide which applicants to hire.

“We want people to work in their own neighborhoods,” Bouden said.

Census takers, who also are called enumerators, visit households where they explain the purpose of the Census. They then conduct personal interviews with those who failed to return their 2010 Census questionnaire. They record responses on paper forms.

Because Census figures help are used to re-draw Congressional boundaries, only those who are counted are represented, the Census Bureau notes. In addition, the distribution of hundreds of millions of federal dollars is based on Census numbers.

Those who would rather not be visited by a census taker can avoid that event by completing their Census forms and returning them, the Census Bureau advises.

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How to get involved with Census

Published: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 4:17 AM CST
The Census Employment Test will be administered in several places in La Porte County:

• The La Porte County Public Library, 3 and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23.

• Long Beach Community Center, 6 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 18 and 25.

• Wanatah Town Hall, 11 a.m., Fridays, Feb. 19 and 26.

• Westville, New Durham Library, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Feb. 20 and 27.

• Michigan City Public Library, 2 and 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 22.

• Moose Lodge 280, Michigan City, 12:30 and 3:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Feb. 17 and 24.

The test in Spanish also will be given at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Moose Lodge 280.

IDENTIFICATION

Every applicant must bring two forms of identification to the testing site. Some acceptable forms of identification are U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card, a Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card; driver’s license or ID card issued by the state or outlying possession of the U.S., provided it contains a photograph, or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color and address; school ID with photograph, voter’s registration card, Social Security card, U.S. Military card or draft record. Military dependent’s ID card; driver’s license issued by a Canadian government authority and other documents. All documents must be unexpired.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Apart from passing the test, a successful applicant must be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident or non-citizen with an appropriate work visa and possess a bilingual skill for which there are not available U.S. citizens.

Applicants also must be at least 18 years of age; must have a Social Security number; must have a valid driver’s license; must pass a background check; and must commit to four days of training for which the worker will be paid.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Census jobs, acceptable identification or the test, call the local Census office toll-free at (866) 861-2010 or go to the Web site at www.2010censusjobs.gov.

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Mayor: Fill out 2010 census

Published: Thursday, March 11, 2010 4:18 AM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — Mayor Chuck Oberlie urges all Michigan City residents to participate in the 2010 census.

“The U.S. Constitution requires a census to be taken every 10 years, and the 2010 census form is due to arrive in everyone’s mailbox on or around March 15-17,” Oberlie said in a press release. “Census data is used for many critical activities that directly impact our lives, including the distribution of federal funding to the state of Indiana and to reapportion the U.S. House of Representatives.

“More importantly, census data is critical in day-to-day planning activities for both local governments and private entities in determining, for example, locations for new hospitals, improving schools, building new roads, expanding public transportation options and creating new maps for emergency responders.

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Census form return update

Published: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:20 AM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — As part of Michigan City’s continuing efforts to maximize the return of local U.S. Census forms, Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie again emphasized Monday the need for all citizens to return their completed 2010 census forms.

“The U.S. Census Bureau has begun providing real time census form return updates through an interactive map on their Web site,” Mayor Oberlie said.

“And as of noon on Monday, the 2010 Census Form Mail Participation Rate for Michigan City was reported as 34 percent, which matches the national participation rate,” he said. “For the state of Indiana as a whole, the participation rate is a few percentage points higher at 40 percent. Thus, I continue to urge all citizens to return your 2010 census forms and check with your family, friends and neighbors to help us catch up to the rest of the state as a whole and, more importantly, to be fully counted as this will impact the amount of funding we receive in future federal budget cycles.”

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Census follow-up soon

From Staff Reports
Published: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 4:17 AM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Procrastinators beware.

Thursday is Census Day, and government workers soon will begin following up with residents who have not completed census forms.

During a visit to Michigan City on Monday, Mark Everson, Indiana Department of Administration commissioner, said the government asks all Hoosiers to fill out the forms soon, according to a press release. Everson is in charge of Indiana’s census outreach efforts.

“The 2010 census will have a real impact on counties, cities and towns across Indiana for years to come,” Everson said.

The constitutionally mandated count will determine the funding levels of a variety of local programs. According to the release, Mayor Chuck Oberlie said the census is critical to maintaining local services.

“Our streets and transit systems are examples of direct beneficiaries,” he said. “It is important that everyone is counted to assure our city that these funds will continue to be available.”

The 2010 survey asks 10 basic questions for each member of a household. The survey asks, among other questions, a person’s name, date of birth, age, gender and race. All answers are kept confidential, Everson said.

“The information is not shared with any federal, state or local government agencies — including law enforcement,” he said. “Every census worker takes an oath to meet this obligation.”

[eric.hanke]

Are we the only family who has not received our census form?

[Southsider2k12]

Are we the only family who has not received our census form?

We received ours weeks ago.

[eric.hanke]

We received ours weeks ago.

Really? We have not received ours...

[Ang]

You're not the Lone Ranger, Eric. I haven't got mine, either.

[Dolores]

Are we the only family who has not received our census form?

I know of others who have not received one in the mail. You may pick one up at City Hall, they are located in the main floor lobby on the circular information desk.

[Michelle]

There are some at the front of the Michigan City Library too.

[NDReporter]

Are we the only family who has not received our census form?

I just received my SECOND form yesterday. I sent the first I got in the mail a week ago...what a cluster.

[CaddyRich]

I just received my SECOND form yesterday. I sent the first I got in the mail a week ago...what a cluster.

I received my second one yesterday...it must be like voting in Chicago - "Vote early and often."

[Ang]

And I still haven't got mine.

[mc46360]

I received my second one yesterday...it must be like voting in Chicago - "Vote early and often."

Received my second one also. Geesh!!!!!

[Ang]

I guess they forgot about some people, then forgot who they forgot about and remembered the people they already remembered.

[eric.hanke]

Got my form in the mail today!

[JHeath]

And I still haven't got mine.

still nothing at our house.