By Jennifer Tangeman
Logansport Mayor Mike Fincher says when the federal government conducts the 2010 Census, it will be important for every person in Logansport, particularly the immigrant population from Central and South America, to be counted.
“It is imperative to get the Hispanic population of Logansport involved in the census,” Fincher said. “In general, the higher our numbers, the better it is for the community.”
The mayor said the city would be eligible for more funding opportunities if the count accurately reflects the city’s population.
Communicating with the Spanish-speaking residents of Logansport can present a challenge, Fincher said.
“The language barrier will be a very difficult situation to overcome,” he said. “And there is still a lot of mistrust with the government and as to what this is all about and what they are answering questions for.”
In working with churches, Diversity Dynamics and Tyson Foods, Fincher said the city is trying to stress that all information is confidential.
Information gathered from the 10-question census form cannot be shared with any other government agency, including immigration and welfare officials, assistant plan director Arin Shaver explained.
Census data collectors swear an oath that, if broken, subjects them to hefty fines and up to 10 years in prison.
Counting the Latino population is definitely a priority, Shaver said.
“We know that’s where we need to focus, and we want to hit the lower counted areas hard,” she said. “We have a lot of individuals from the Hispanic population calling us and telling us they want to help get the word out.”
Geographically speaking, Shaver said, the most difficult area in town to count in the 2000 census was between the Eel and Wabash rivers from Sixth Street to 18th Street.
“There are a lot of rentals in that area and a lot of turnaround,” Shaver said.
The city, under the leadership of Shaver, formed a committee last month to start spreading the word about the census.
Shaver said the census committee is working to inform the public of the 2010 census by posting information on Web sites and through various media outlets. The group is also distributing flyers and plans to advertise with banners throughout the city.
Census surveys will be mailed to residents starting in February, and are due back by April 1, Census Day. The data collected will determine the number of seats Indiana will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and can also help determine the allocation of federal funds for community services, such as school lunch programs and new construction.
• Jennifer Tangeman is a reporter for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5148 or jennifer.tangeman@pharostribune.com.
