From Deseret News archives:
Bureau gearing up for '10 Census
The task won't be an easy one, say state officials who point to groups that are traditionally difficult to track from immigrants and refugees to college students.
The U.S. Census Bureau is already starting targeted outreach to various demographic groups, says Philip Gbur, mathematical statistician for the U.S. Census Bureau.
"The goal is to count everyone," says Gbur. "It's feasible. We just need to try and convince people for their cooperation."
That outreach will come in the form of advertising and working with community leaders, Gbur says.
The Census Bureau doesn't share its information with other government agencies. And an accurate count is critical, officials say, for purposes of apportionment and doling out government funding for infrastructure and public services.
However, in a climate in which immigration is a hotly charged subject, it may be difficult to get immigrants facing language barriers, particularly the undocumented, to participate, says Jesse Soriano, director of the Utah Office of Ethnic Affairs.
It's an issue that also faces a diverse community of refugees, says Gerald Brown, director of the state Office of Refugee Services.
"There are going to be community outreach jobs, and it's important to hire people from the immigrant and refugee communities," he said. "It's important with refugee groups to walk door to door."
Concerns have also been raised about the logistics of the census, says Pamela Perlich, senior research economist at the University of Utah. The bureau recently pulled new electronic units and is going back to paper methods for door-to-door counts, done when people don't respond to mailers, she said. And the bureau has a new director.
"My question would be, who are the key players in the community who have been tapped for this?" says Perlich.
Juliette Tennert, the state's top demographer, says her office will be working with state agencies and community groups to help achieve an accurate census count.
"It really is an awareness issue," Tennert says. "Helping people to understand why it's so important to fill out the census form, and identifying people in the community ... to get that message out."
The 2000 Census was touted as the most accurate population count in history. Yet, some groups were over- or under-counted.
Recent comments
I hope they do better than last time. My family was of 8 were never...
Lost | Aug. 4, 2008 at 7:26 p.m.
that's why dems encourage illegal immigration, so they can expand...
lost in DC | Aug. 4, 2008 at 5:12 p.m.
You might want to ask your State representative energy conservation?...
Brittanicus | Aug. 4, 2008 at 4:49 p.m.
- Eagles rally for another late win 2:52 p.m.
- 4 police officers shot dead in Wash. 2:47 p.m.
- Bengals run over Browns 2:43 p.m.
- Seattle makes it 10 in row over Rams 2:37 p.m.
- Colts remain perfect with win 2:31 p.m.
- The joy of a baby's love 2:26 p.m.
- Holiday shopping mildly encouraging 2:17 p.m.
- Woods cancels meeting with police 2:09 p.m.
- Venezuelan banks to be nationalized? 2:02 p.m.
- USA Today Top 25 Poll 1:48 p.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
616 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
458 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - BYU is champion of the state
119 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
115 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
89 - Hall's legacy measured today
77 - Y. focused on 10-win season
73
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Utah fans- both BYU and Utah- in general are way too thin skinned. We cry...
I am another fan supporting Max.
Thank goodness you have Callee. He is sure making a great contribution in...
would have loved to have heard Unga's rant during the game. Anybody in the...
Utah fans are the Junior High School Bullies. They egg you on and cry when...
BYU, TCU and Utah all have a chance to finish in the Top 25, which would be...
We are to be ashamed of ourselves.
I hate losing to BYU but with Max's comments over shadowing the victory. It...
I love my University of Utah but I can do without many of our fans.
Great. Thanks, Max. Now Ute fans are going to hit us over the head with...


