By AMY DAVIS
The Progress
The grill was fired up with hot dogs and hamburgers for a BBQ hosted by the Mesquite Senior Center on behalf of the U.S. Census. Free food, t-shirts and prizes were offered up to the public on Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mesquite has been in fierce census competition with the city of Fernley, NV to see which community can complete the most Census questionaires. Saturday’s BBQ event made the census simpler than ever for residents. Computers were provided as well as assistance in completing the US Census in both English and Spanish.
Mesquite now has an 80 percent completion rate for the US Census. On July 4, Mesquite and Fernley will compare which city has the highest number of census questionaires filled out. If Mesquite wins, Fernley officials will be required to wear a City of Mesquite shirt to their next public city hall meeting. If Fernley wins, Mesquite will have to wear Fernley shirts. City pride is on the line!
“The census is so valuable to our economic recovery; now more than ever!” said Janice Ridondo, Community Resource manager for Mesquite. “We need the money that the census will bring to us. We have got to do this. Filling out the US Census is a way that every single household can aid in our city’s financial recovery.”
Next weekend the US Census will be set up outside the Mexican Market on Riverside road.
“Look for the blue table!” Ridondo urged. Go see them. We will have bilingual speakers who can assist you. Your voice is so important!”
Ridondo acknowledged that there can be some fear involved for some people in completing the census. That is not necessary, she said.
“Some people are worried about identifying themselves to the government,” Ridondo said. “They are worried about giving out personal information that could put them in danger. I want to let them know that the census is completely confidential.”
Ridondo explained that all of the information collected by the Census is, by law, secure and cannot be turned over to any law enforcement agencies. The Census is strictly a count of how many people live in Mesquite, she said.
“We will be awarded funding for each one of those people to improve schools, health care, city infrastructure and community programs,” Ridondo explained. “The census cannot be used against you in any way. I can’t stress enough how important your voice is.”
Krissy Thornton, Programs Assistant for the Senior Center, said there were around 25 to 30 participants who showed up at the BBQ. That seems like a low turnout, but it actually was quite productive, she said.
“Remember, 80 percent of Mesquite people have already completed the census,” Thornton said. “It is trying to get that last 20 percent that is the difficult part.”
The Census can be filled out via telephone, mail or online. Depending on how many people are in a family it can take anywhere from five to 15 minutes.
