Dennis Spiers
February 1, 2010
A-Bear’s Cafe’Down-home cooking at Houma’s best
February 3, 2010
Numbers are about to start rolling in for the U.S. Census Bureau, which will be conducting the 2010 Census starting in March.
The bureau opened an office at 7014 Park Ave. in Houma last Wednesday, which will field calls from area residents, process payrolls and collect data from census takers that are soon to be hired.
Residents are required to participate in the census.
There are currently 51 census offices throughout the Dallas region, which includes Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
Census forms will be delivered to houses beginning in March. “In April, census takers will begin visiting residents who have not turned in their form. This process could take up to four months to complete,” said a press release issued by the Lafourche Parish government.
For local residents, a chance at earning a few extra bucks is among the trivial impacts the census will have on the Tri-parish area.
Officials said the census is vital to sustaining the area’s growing infrastructure and ensuring political representation is proportional.
With an upcoming open seat election for the 3rd Congressional District, this holds especially true. Population losses throughout the state have jeopardized the 3rd District, which may be absorbed before the next election in 2012.
Terrebonne Parish Council President Michel Claudet said, “It’s critical that we get an accurate count. It’s essential, not only for the congressional delegation we have, but also for our state senators and representatives.”
Gabriel Sanchez, the regional director for the U.S. Census Bureau, said nearly 2,000 jobs will be available to residents of Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist and Terrebonne. About 1,950 of those new hires will work out of their homes.
While none of the jobs are intended as a career, they do offer several weeks of work, help build résumés and put a little extra money in local pockets.
“The jobs will be temporary, but they can help pay off some of those bills from Christmas,” said Sanchez. “We also find there’s a lot of underemployment. We get a lot of calls from people that already have jobs and just want to supplement their income because their hours have been cut. Many of these people are not confident their jobs will last.”
Officials in attendance also drove home the importance census numbers play in receiving federal funding. More than $400 billion in federal assistance funding is given to communities across the nation each year based on population. Accuracy is the key to inviting those funds to Louisiana.
For an area that has been heavily stricken by hurricanes and has relied heavily on federal funding, the census plays a lead role.
“An accurate count really says more about the daily lives of people than almost any other thing you can think of,” said Sanchez. “You can’t know where you’re going unless you know where you are.”
Heavy investments in Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping in Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary have made the census bureau’s job a little easier. Local GIS offices have helped paint a clear picture of where everything in the three parishes is – from buildings to roadways – cutting down on some of the footwork census takers are required to do.
And while most people return their census forms by mail, nationwide, almost 30 percent don’t, said Sanchez. A census taker is then required to visit the home, meaning more work for local jobseekers.
Sen. Norby Chabert touts the advantages the 2010 census will have on the Tri-parish area. Aside from the creation of two thousand temporary jobs, the census may also help ensure Louisiana gets federal funding. * Photo by MICHAEL DAVIS
