JACKSON – April 1 is April Fool’s Day, but for Hinds County, local, and state and district Census officials, it is 2010 Census Day.
The county observed the day with a short celebration and program where individuals received information and advice pertaining to the U.S. Census reporting process. The 11 a.m. event was held on the patio directly behind the County Courthouse.
“This is a beautiful day to be alive, but it’s also a beautiful day to be counted,” said Hinds County Board of Supervisors President Robert Graham during welcoming remarks. “The worst thing that could happen is to not be counted today or any time during the Census. Stand up and be counted. Be counted for the Census 2010.”
Early media reports indicated that the county Census form returns were low. Some residents have reported that they have not received their Census questionnaire. Partnership Coordinator for the Dallas Regional Census Center Willie H. DeBerry assured those citizens that they would receive their forms. “Please rest assured that we will make an effort to get you your questionnaire – not only in Hinds County but the entire State of Mississippi and the nation,” DeBerry said.
Hinds County Census Coordinator Sharon Sims encouraged residents not to worry about the low rate of returned forms right now. “A lot of our citizens in Hinds County have not received their forms. The other situation is that individuals don’t or did not think they needed to return them until April 1. So, we’re looking for our numbers to go up, especially after our last two mailings go through,” said Sims.
Sims told the crowd that the Census Bureau does not want anyone counted twice. “So, wait. It’s in the mail. Around April 12, you should have received it by then. We appreciate your concerns, but we want to stress that when you get the form, fill it out the day you receive it, and mail it back the same day,” she said. She said around April 20 the bureau will begin accessing which residents will need to get a home visit in May.
Local Census Office Manager Donald E. Watson said, “We don’t want to lose anything this time.” The last time the Census was done [10 years ago], Mississippi lost a congressional seat.
Attendees of Census Day celebration were entertained with ‘crowd-pleasing’ performances by Murrah High School Jazz Esemble, “Sound of Perfection.” In addition to Census paraphernalia, they were treated to hotdogs, hamburgers, barbecue, chips and soft drinks served by staff members of Hinds County.
Residents who have not mailed their questionnaire may still do so according to Sims. For more information, call Sims office at (601) 968-1900.
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