It is time for each and every Azusan to be counted—both citizens and non citizens. March 2010 is gone and by now everyone should have received their 2010 U. S. Census forms. If for whatever reason you didn’t receive a questionnaire by now, you may pick one up at Azusa’s City Hall, Library, Senior Center, or Memorial Park.
Be Azusan…Be Counted! Each household should complete and mail back their questionnaires immediately. Households that do not respond may get a second questionnaire in Early April 2010. If by May you have not returned the completed questionnaire, Census takers will visit your homes to take a count in person.
The U. S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years to count the population and determine the number of seats each state will have in the U. S. House of Representatives. April 1, 2010 has been designated as Census day. By law, the Census Bureau must deliver population counts to the President by December 31, 2010. And by March 2011, the Census Bureau must complete delivery of redistricting data to each State.
A complete count of all persons who live in Azusa is important because every year the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to state and local communities based in part on census data. The data is also used to determine boundaries of state and local legislative and congressional districts. And last but not least, the data is also used to determine locations for retail stores, schools, hospitals, new housing developments and many other community facilities and services. It is estimated that in the 2000 Census, approximately 28% of Azusans didn’t return their questionnaires and as a result of that, Azusa didn’t get its fair share of funds.
The 2010 Census questionnaire is easy and safe to complete. With only 10 questions, it only should take about 10 minutes to complete. Each household is asked to provide key demographic information, including but not limited to, whether a housing unit is rented or owned; the address of the housing unit; and the names, genders, ages, races of all families or persons living in the household.
We are assured by law that the Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s or household responses with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement agencies or entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and swear for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalties for disclosure are fines of up to $250,000 or five years of imprisonment or both.
Once again I ask you to complete your 2010 Census questionnaire and to Be Azusan and Be Counted, and help us get our fair share of Federal funds.
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