Dexter officials want accurate census count

Friday, November 6, 2009
By Mike McCoy Statesman Staff Writer

City governments are busy making preparations for the 2010 US Census. In March of 2010, census forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States and Puerto Rico. The Census Bureau asks that you fill out the form, which includes 10 questions, and mail it back. Census Bureau workers will follow-up with visits to those homes that do not return the forms.

"An accurate count of the US population forms the basis for many important but often overlooked political, economic and social decisions that are made that end up affecting our daily lives," says C.N. Le, professor at the University of Massachusetts.

Dexter City Administrator Mark Stidham says it is very important that Dexter and all other cities in Stoddard County get an accurate count as federal turnback funds are based on population. Stidham says statistics provided by the Census Bureau show that over $400 billion in federal funds are returned to local government entities for such things as hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, infrastructure and emergency services.

The data collected by the census also helps determine the number of seats each state has in the US House of Representatives.

Stidham explains that this year the Census Bureau wants the communities to help educate the population on the importance of an accurate census count.

"That's what I'm trying to do," Stidham adds.

Stidham believes that Dexter's population should be up from the 2000 census count, and that would mean more funding for important projects such as bridges, roads and other public works. He notes that several subdivisions have been added to the city limits since the 2000 census., Among them are the Northwest Oaks, Plaza Heights, Timber Creek, Bent Creek and Anna Drive sub-divisions. Those areas were taken into the city limits by petition from landowners or developers.

The Census Bureau shows Dexter (people living in the 63841 zip code area) with a population of 12,887 with 6,074 males and 6,813 females. The median age is 39.8 years and the median household income (1999) is $27,712. There are 5,369 owner-occupied housing units, 1,673 renter-occupied units and 435 vacant houses. The data shows 1,458 civilian veterans. It also shows 3,036 who are disabled. The per capita income (1999) is listed as $16,151.

The ten questions appearing on the 2010 census form are to establish the following: 1) the number of people living or staying in the residence as of April 1, 2010; 2) any additional people staying there not included on question one; 3) who owns the house, apartment or mobile home; 4) residence telephone number, 5) the names of each of the individuals living there; 6) that person's sex, 7) that person's age; 8) establishes if the members are Hispanic; 9) establishes the person's race; 10) establishes whether a person in the household sometimes lives somewhere else.

Stidham stresses that all information provided to the Census Bureau is confidential and is not available to any other entity.

"Any personal data you provide is protected by federal law," Stidham explains.

"When you have an accurate count of residents you have a better infrastructure, more services," says Stidham, "better roads, bridges, schools, senior centers and more because the federal government will allocate money based on our larger population."

"I know that the average citizen of Dexter thinks the money comes just from local funds and local taxes, but not all of it does," Stidham continues. "The federal taxes you pay to the government is allocated back to the communities based on population."

Stidham hopes the 2010 census count shows the growth that has taken place in Dexter.

"All we want is an accurate count."

Comments

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Why not combine 8 and 9 and then ask if you still like to ROCK & ROLL?

-- Posted by layne staley on Sat, Nov 7, 2009, at 10:43 AM

Yeah, I want to know why the question on #8? Apparently Hispanic is not a race but a national origin. My mom's from Canada and is still not a citizen after 52 years; does that make me part Canadian?

#2 is also redundant! If you answered # 1, why would you need #2?

#10 is nobody's business.

I have heard that in some areas, the census folks (who are usually dumb liberals) are asking people how many guns are in the house, etc that are certainly nobody's business. Just answer #1. That's all that's necessary for an accurate count. Well, an additional # may be added. Are they all citizens or legal immigrants? Illegals shouldn't be counted and should be sent back to where they came from.

-- Posted by swift on Sat, Nov 7, 2009, at 11:05 AM

Provide ONLY what is mandated by federal law. All the rest of the "bean counter" stuff is exactly what you have said...none of the government's bee's wax. If the liberals had their way you would be telling if anyone has any illness in the home..so the future government health care program can turn them down. Just saying...the federal government is being infiltrated by liberal socialists who want the money that YOU worked hard for to be given, in part, to those who REFUSE to work. It's not about those who are too old or too disabled to work...it's about those poeple who have been eating at the public trough for 2 generations now...or longer.

Sorry for the tangent. Pelosi and Reid and their ILK are enemies of this country and of the Constitution of the United States. They actually believe that just because THEY declare that THEY know what is best for you and for me that they can treat the entire country like subordinates.

Come on 2010 elections....throw the Obama-ites out in the street. Of course, it won't hurt most of them because EVERY senator is a multi-millionaire and the majority of congressmen and women are millionaires.

Our government is a huge embarrassment. They can't get ANYTHING right.

-- Posted by Bearcat72 on Sat, Nov 7, 2009, at 1:35 PM