Mayor Bob Foster speaks during the 2010 Census rally Monday at Centennial Plaza at Long Beach City Hall.
Mayor Bob Foster, community leaders and dozens of Census employees gathered for a multilingual rally Monday morning at Long Beach City Hall to mark the beginning of field operations for the 2010 decennial.
“It’s important to make sure that we get everyone counted,” said Mayor Foster. “For the next ten years, many of the formulas to distribute federal funds are based on population. I’m counting on you, Long Beach residents, to turn in your Census forms. It’s important to your city, to your neighborhood, it’s important for the kinds of services you think this city needs to provide.”
Also speaking at the press event was Sara Pol-Lim, executive director for United Cambodian Community, and Amelia Nieto, executive director of Centro Shalom. Carmen Taylor Jones spoke on behalf of the Census.
Every ten years, the United States Census Bureau conducts a census of the population. For the first time since 2000, decennial Census workers will venture out into neighborhood sidewalks, driveways, parking garages and alleys. The workers will use GPS handheld devices to update the Census address list in anticipation of mailing 2010 Census forms to everyone. The Census Bureau does not share its address database information with any other federal or local governmental agencies, including immigration, the IRS or law enforcement. The results of this Census will help determine representation in government, as well as how federal and local funds are spent on roads, parks, housing, schools, and public safety in your community.
The Long Beach City Hall rally was one of many rallies held nationwide signaling the beginning of a massive operation to ensure a complete and accurate count of the Long Beach population in 2010.
