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Residents encouraged to be counted
Federal dollars on the line as 2010 Census gets under way

<br>Ryan Williams/WGCN<br>
Pictured from left to right are census committee members Guy Mikkelson, Kath James, Patricia Helgeson, Deb Fuller, Pimi Bennett and Karen Peters.

<br>Ryan Williams/WGCN<br> Pictured from left to right are census committee members Guy Mikkelson, Kath James, Patricia Helgeson, Deb Fuller, Pimi Bennett and Karen Peters.

WILLIAMS - With the 2010 U.S. Census just around the corner, some Williams residents have organized to promote and explain the event in the hope that all in the community are counted.

The Williams Census Committee Counts was formed in June of last year after some members met with census officials at city hall to discuss the importance of the census for rural communities such as Williams.

According to the 2010 Census Web site, census forms will begin arriving in the mail sometime in March. This year's form is much shorter than in past years with only 10 questions. All U.S citizens are encouraged to complete the form and mail it back in the provided postage paid envelope.

Collected data will reflect population and other changes in communities such as Williams and help decide how more than $400 billion per year in federal funds is allocated on a local level for projects like new hospitals, schools and infrastructure improvements. The data will also be used to re-apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Pimi Bennett, a member of the local committee, said it is crucial that all Williams residents take part in the Census.

"Everyone needs to be counted because of those federal dollars, the money," she said. "That's for the next 10 years, so we want to make sure we're counted and we get the money that we should get. That's very important."

The committee includes individuals from various organizations in the community who, on a grass roots level, plan to spread the word about the importance of completing a Census form. Organizations include the Williams Food Bank, Williams Senior Center, Williams Unified School District and Williams Housing Authority.

Bookmarks with Census information in English and Spanish will be included in upcoming city of Williams water bills and a flyer explaining the Census will be distributed in Williams and surrounding regions.

Patricia Helgeson, another member of the committee, said the committee's goal is to identify ways to make it easier for those in the community to complete and send in their Census forms.

"It's about helping people understand that it needs to be done and if they need assistance there are ways to support that effort," Helgeson said. "The part that is starting to happen now, is getting the message out to the community. Raising awareness."

Helgeson went on to say that information collected during the Census comes into play in the grant writing process.

"The city is talking about hiring grant writers to help support some of the efforts that are needed in our community like the aquatic center and the rec center," she said. "And, of course, the Williams Alliance, we are funded by grants and so we could not do the work that we do if it weren't for the data. Every single grant that we write, the numbers are what is important. How many residents are there? That's where you start."

Committee members stress that completing the census form is safe and all information gathered is kept confidential including citizenship status.

Any personal data provided is protected under federal law, according to the 2010 Census Web site. Title 13 of the U.S. Code protects the confidentiality of all personal information along with the Confidential Statistical Efficiency Act and the Privacy Act.

For more information on the 2010 Census visit www.2010.census.gov/2010census.


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