By Rowe Ray
Managing Editor
—
If the concerns expressed below in yesterday’s news release from the city sound very real ... well, they are.
Despite some concerted and in-your-face efforts by local officials to motivate San Marcos residents to fill out and send in 2010 Census forms, many in this community have yet to follow through.
That’s really too bad.
This lack of written
response will bring Census workers to the doors of all those who don’t reply by mail.
Solid Census figures are crucial to the vitality of educational, infrastructure and social service segments of all communities.
Cities which aren’t represented accurately will wind up holding the short stick when federal and state dollars are distributed in the coming years.
The city’s last ditch efforts to boost participation in the Census are for a good cause ... the welfare of San Marcos, its citizens and its future.
It’s time to step up and be counted. RHR
Last chance to mail in Census forms; San Marcos lagging behind
With just a couple of days to send in their questionnaires, only 57 percent of San Marcos residents have mailed back their Census forms – meaning that 43 percent will receive personal visits from the U.S. Census Bureau in the coming weeks.
As of Wednesday, most Census tracks in the city lagged behind Hays County (67 percent), Texas (63 percent) and national (67 percent) rates of returns.
The Willow Creek neighborhood is doing the best with a 72 percent return, while others range from 51 to 71 percent.
Participation rates can be tracked online at 2010.census.gov.
Texas State University students living in apartments are counted in San Marcos and are urged to mail back their questionnaires.
People who don’t mail back their forms before April 17 will receive a knock on the door in the coming weeks from the U.S. Census Bureau. Home visits will start May 1.
“We urge our residents to mail back their Census forms,” Daniel Guerrero, chair of the San Marcos Complete Count Committee, said. “It costs $54 per household for Census workers to make personal visits. The 2010 questionnaire is easy, safe and confidential and important to the future of our city.”
Population counts determine Congressional representation and the allocation of some $4 billion a year in federal, state and local funds for roads, schools, student financial aid, hospitals, community planning and more.
The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States, as required by the U.S. Constitution, regardless of whether they are citizens or non-citizens.
The Census Bureau is prohibited from sharing any personal information with other governmental agencies.
People who have questions about the Census form or need a replacement form may visit an area Questionnaire Assistance Center until April 19. San Marcos centers are:
• San Marcos Public Library, 625 East Hopkins
• Southside Community Center, 518 Guadalupe Street
• Community Action Agency, 191 Uhland Road
• Allen Woods Homes, Housing Authority, 1201 Thorpe Lane
• Hays County Personal Health Department, 401-A Broadway
• Springtown Villa Housing Authority, 503 Springtown Way
• C.M. Allen Homes, Housing Authority, 795 River Road
People may also call toll-free from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. any day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays: English: (866) 872-6868; Spanish/en español: (866) 928-2010; or TDD (Telephone Display Device for the hearing impaired): (866) 783-2010.
