Census 2010

Walton County Census Liaison Named

Walton County now has a liaison for the Census Bureau and the 2010 Census. Ken Little, director of Citizen Services, was appointed "liaison for the Census Bureau for a true count of residents and create a program of public awareness to submit the census forms that will be mailed March 2010." A12 Walton Sun 5-30-09. The article further states, "A true count allows counties to receive money from the more than $300 billion allocated in the federal budget for programs and grants," said Tina Joshua, partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau. "It is important to start an awareness campaign now." Ken has previously worked on census issues for Walton County. Glad to see his appointment.

I'm meeting with Tina on June 15th to start formulating a Complete Count committee and subcommittees for recommendation to the BCC. If anyone is interested in helping with this venture, please let me know. Best contact info is litken@co.walton.fl.us, phone 892-8530.

Thanks!

Ken

Is Acorn involved?

Doxiegirl

Is Acorn involved?

Doxiegirl

The Census is actually constitutionally mandated, voter registration is not.

Were you aware of this or just hijacking a thread?

Not hijacking. I understood that Acorn was going to be involved in the census.
Doxiegirl

The Census is actually constitutionally mandated, voter registration is not.

Were you aware of this or just hijacking a thread?

Has anyone ever lied on a census?

Not hijacking. I understood that Acorn was going to be involved in the census.
Doxiegirl

You better be careful or the next thing you know you will be accused of being me.


Since the census is so critical I wonder if the county is going to allocate funds toward insuring a complete count occurs.

As for the political maneuvering, could you give some examples instead of alluding to behind the scene conspiracies. We all know that there are a lot of conspiracies going on, especially with those darn post offices and their zip codes, but I do not consider that politics. Just another example of a failed monopoly.

And what is a doxie?

You better be careful or the next thing you know you will be accused of being me.


Since the census is so critical I wonder if the county is going to allocate funds toward insuring a complete count occurs.

As for the political maneuvering, could you give some examples instead of alluding to behind the scene conspiracies. We all know that there are a lot of conspiracies going on, especially with those darn post offices and their zip codes, but I do not consider that politics. Just another example of a failed monopoly.

And what is a doxie?

Robert,

Doubt any local funds, other than my time, will be expended on this. None were in the 2000 census Complete Count Committee. I expect the feds will be publicizing it fairly heavily as we go on. Given the new administration in Washington, I wouldn't be surprised to hear of Acorn being involved somewhere either...but haven't heard of their operating here in our area.

When Ms. Joshua got up before the Board at the last meeting, she mentioned Walton County having a 40-something percent undercount as a driver behind establishing a Complete Count Committee. This was no doubt based on the mail-out returns from every 911 address in the county. As you know, many of the rental units and second homes down here don't receive mail...but they're still 911 addresses.

A large part of the Complete Count effort is reaching out to the traditionally non-responsive segments of our community -- those who don't trust the government, don't want to be bothered with forms, etc. With the advent of the American Community Survey the Census Bureau started up about 5 years ago, the census form for the 2010 will only be, as I understand it, about 6 or so questions. The rest of the data that used to be requested in the long form that one out of six households received is now collected on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

There is a lot at stake in terms of federal allocations, including the state pass-throughs, and all sorts of other goodies based on population. Our SHIP funds are allocated on population, not by how much money was sent to Tallahassee in doc stamps. Same thing with school funds -- FTE count drives that distribution, not how much money was sent to Tallahassee in required local effort property taxes. Then there's the state constitution-mandated redistricting that will have to occur in 2011 based on the 2010 census numbers. Don't mean to preach to the choir, but we need to get the best turnout we can of the folks who are really here.

The zip codes are another matter altogether. We just have the misfortune, community identity wise, to lie between two regional post office territories -- the 325 in Pensacola and 324 in Panama City. The USPS doesn't see the need to regard the county boundary lines on the map...all they want to do is deliver the mail. We got some concessions from them on allowable alternate place names for certain zips, but don't hold your breath for new zip codes that are uniquely ours. You're right -- no politics there, other than some internal USPS politics dealing with maintaining carrier routes and numbers served by a given post office.

Robert,

Doubt any local funds, other than my time, will be expended on this. None were in the 2000 census Complete Count Committee. I expect the feds will be publicizing it fairly heavily as we go on. Given the new administration in Washington, I wouldn't be surprised to hear of Acorn being involved somewhere either...but haven't heard of their operating here in our area.

When Ms. Joshua got up before the Board at the last meeting, she mentioned Walton County having a 40-something percent undercount as a driver behind establishing a Complete Count Committee. This was no doubt based on the mail-out returns from every 911 address in the county. As you know, many of the rental units and second homes down here don't receive mail...but they're still 911 addresses.

I wonder if local government realize just how much an accurate count would help us with funding on a lot of projects. I would venture to say it would do more for the county than any number of personnel trips to DC to try to talk to Martinez and the crew.

A 40 percent undercount is pretty bad. I know the government conspiracy rumors have already started. Saw a piece the other day about someone complaining about GPS and geocoding addresses. Everyone was getting up in arms, and we did that in Walton County years ago, without a peep from anyone.

Technology has come a long way in the last 10 years. Maybe we can do better. I would hate for us to miss twenty thousand or so individuals.

It is a huge driver for federal funds also, especially with stimulus and grant funding. In stimulus funding, it's not just the need of a project from an engineering standpoint but also with the population impact. Good luck on getting a better count!

A large part of the Complete Count effort is reaching out to the traditionally non-responsive segments of our community -- those who don't trust the government, don't want to be bothered with forms, etc.

I worked on the 2000 census, both in Walton and Okaloosa Counties. I found this to be the least difficult part of the work. Far more problematic were the second and vacation properties, for a variety of reasons too long to go into here. But there is no doubt in my mind that many people were missed that way. Also problematic, but maybe better this time around because of technology, were the out of date maps. Many of us spent hours hand-drawing in streets and whole subdivisions, identifying the addresses of built properties in those neighborhoods and then chasing down the occupants.

There was certainly no conspiracy that I could see, just a lot of bumbling and fumbling around and confusion over part-time residents, zip codes, etc.
And no Acorn either :roll:

I worked on the 2000 census, both in Walton and Okaloosa Counties. I found this to be the least difficult part of the work. Far more problematic were the second and vacation properties, for a variety of reasons too long to go into here. But there is no doubt in my mind that many people were missed that way. Also problematic, but maybe better this time around because of technology, were the out of date maps. Many of us spent hours hand-drawing in streets and whole subdivisions, identifying the addresses of built properties in those neighborhoods and then chasing down the occupants.

There was certainly no conspiracy that I could see, just a lot of bumbling and fumbling around and confusion over part-time residents, zip codes, etc.
And no Acorn either :roll:

The map thing should be a whole lot easier this time around. The county can plot maps of the areas, showing addresses. Since most everything should be geocoded they should be able to overlay sat imagery and make sure that each house is found. Now the problem becomes one of assigning people to houses as either residents or not. Some will want to claim residency for homestead exemption.

Does the 2010 Census have an income question? Seems I remember that on the 2000 and refused (politely) to answer.

Not hijacking. I understood that Acorn was going to be involved in the census.
Doxiegirl

You've stated it twice now without any kind of source. Could you provide a link to a news article concerning this?

You better be careful or the next thing you know you will be accused of being me.


Since the census is so critical I wonder if the county is going to allocate funds toward insuring a complete count occurs.

As for the political maneuvering, could you give some examples instead of alluding to behind the scene conspiracies. We all know that there are a lot of conspiracies going on, especially with those darn post offices and their zip codes, but I do not consider that politics. Just another example of a failed monopoly.

And what is a doxie?

He/she seems to have the whisper campaign down as well as you.

ACORN to Play Role in 2010 Census

The U.S. Census Bureau is working with several national organizations to help recruit 1.4 million workers to produce the country's 2010 census, including one with a history of voter fraud charges: ACORN.

Cristina Corbin
FOXNews.com
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

I guess Fox News is in on the conspiracy too.

Doxie is a nickname for a dog.

Well I'm going to guess that since the google search found only foxnews and then various right wing blogs, that it's not entirely true or a way to get people to not participate in the census. What's really sad is that the Republicans don't want this since the Democrats are in power and therefore will redraw more lines for voting. Once again power is the only goal and any benefits from the census be damned. Truly truly sad.

Well I'm going to guess that since the google search found only foxnews and then various right wing blogs, that it's not entirely true or a way to get people to not participate in the census. What's really sad is that the Republicans don't want this since the Democrats are in power and therefore will redraw more lines for voting. Once again power is the only goal and any benefits from the census be damned. Truly truly sad.

Your logic on this is flawed. Truly truly sad.
Posted via Mobile Device

Your logic on this is flawed. Truly truly sad.
Posted via Mobile Device

Please explain.

Well I'm going to guess that since the google search found only foxnews and then various right wing blogs, that it's not entirely true or a way to get people to not participate in the census. What's really sad is that the Republicans don't want this since the Democrats are in power and therefore will redraw more lines for voting. Once again power is the only goal and any benefits from the census be damned. Truly truly sad.

You might try googling yourself and you will find numerous sites that report it.

My point is that it is really important and it should not be compromised in any way by using an organization that clearly has questionable business practices.

You might try googling yourself and you will find numerous sites that report it.

My point is that it is really important and it should not be compromised in any way by using an organization that clearly has questionable business practices.

I did, here's the link to the search results:

Google

Couldn't find a single other "news" organization that is running this story in that search. Looks like it already hit snopes.com though.

ACORN and the 2010 census - snopes.com

I'm still waiting on wrobert/Interested Girl's response, but Interested Girl was up pretty late last night.

It seems that you have an outlook that any simple questions asked is driven by some vast right wing conspiracy. That is a tactic used by those who seems ghosts and goblins around every statement and position.

Do you even know doxie ? What was the basis within her post that tipped you off to a desire to keep people from being counted. Where is the tip off that the poster is a "red neck republican".

The google search has several links within the querry that have a 6.9 meg pdf file with documentation to show the connection of Acorn to the census. That file is to large to post here.

Your psychic powers amaze me.

The only point made in you post is that you drink democratic cool aid.

I'm not telling them my income...........what party am I?

I'm not telling them my income...........what party am I?

I guess the criminal party as I thought it was illegal to refuse to answer census questions.

Could it be that ACORN might actually be a useful tool in the effort to get accurate urban census counts?

Could it be that ACORN might actually be a useful tool in the effort to get accurate urban census counts?

Could be. I say use them.