Staff Writer
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA — The Lowndes County Complete Count Committee will host activities to promote the upcoming 2010 Census at the Census Awareness Rural Strategy event, called ‘CARS,’ from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 25, at Scott Park on Old Statenville Road.
Area residents of all ages are invited to come out and enjoy games, free food, popular local DJs, and contests featuring the coolest WHIPs (cars with big rims, hydraulics, etc.) while hearing some important information about the census.
Residents who have already received their census forms can use the census assistance center that will be set up at the event to complete their surveys or ask questions.
The CARS theme was selected because it emphasized the rural highways and roads that connect everyone.
Local residents who have collectible cars or WHIPs are invited to bring them to Scott Park to participate in the festivities. A contest will be held to select the best of the best. Winners will receive cash prizes totaling $175.
Lowndes County was undercounted in the 2000 Census, costing the community millions in lost revenue, said LCCC Co-Chair Sam Allen.
“For every person who completes the census form and mails it back, this means the community receives $1,700 per person, per year in federal money,” Allen explained.
Annually, more than $400 billion in federal funds are allocated according to the population. A high census count means money in the bank for schools, roads, child-care centers, job-training centers, Medicare, and more.
Participating in the census count is completely confidential and safe. In past censuses, some members of the community did not participate in the census due to lack of awareness, misinformation, immigration concerns or concerns about confidentiality.
It’s important to know that, by law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone.
All Census Bureau employees take the oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
