03/10/10

The 2010 Census bus rolled into Magic Valley today; snow in the Rupert City Square drove residents into the nearby community gym behind city hall.

Rupert Superintendent Dennis Andrew says, “Relatively short, I believe there are 10 questions they want from each household. But it's important for people to stand up and be counted.”

That's because the number of people counted in each community, directly affects the amount of federal money and grants that cities and towns can qualify for to pay for needed services like roads and sewer lines, as well as helping them plan for the future.

The population numbers collected also directly help with economic development. This 'Portrait of America' road tour is stopping in many rural and hard to count areas.

Local businessman and Pastor DaGoberto Martinez says, a lot of people don't want to be counted because they're afraid; but Martinez says it's necessary to ‘not’ be afraid.

The census tour also stopped at the Magic Valley Mall; where a local mayor says rest assured that the U.S. Government won't be broadcasting the information you include on your census form.

Twin Falls Mayor Don Hall says, “The information that you provide the census is kept secret or out of public view for 72 years. And most of us, myself included, aren't going to be here in 72 years. So they hold it very confidential, they understand the fears of the citizens in that respect, so they do hold it very, very confidential.”