Pockets of Flagler County have yet to receive census forms in the mail. A second mailing should come soon.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
Employees strolled around in white T-shirts on Thursday, April 1, at the Government Services Building, in Bunnell. But it wasn't an April Fools' joke.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
Employees strolled around in white T-shirts on Thursday, April 1, at the Government Services Building, in Bunnell. But it wasn't an April Fools' joke.
The shirts read "March to the Mailbox," urging residents to fill out their U.S. Census forms, all part of the Flagler Counts! campaign the county has been broadcasting for the past few months.
But there's a slight glitch in the fluidity of the census efforts: There are still large pockets of homes that have yet to receive a census form. Palm Coast was 29th in the nation in return rate last week, and now, the city has dropped off the top-50 list.
Flagler County is still among the best in the state, however; as of April 6, the county was at a 71% return rate, just two percentage points behind Sumter County for the highest in Florida. Could the results be even higher if not for the mailing glitch?
County Commissioner Milissa Holland has spearheaded the census efforts on behalf of the commission. She said the county wants to thank its residents for their efforts so far, and urged those who have not received their forms not to give up yet.
"It's something we've recognized and are trying to correct immediately, and we're asking people to be patient and remain motivated to accomplish our goals," she said.
Holland is among those who have yet to receive their forms in the mail.
"We're frustrated, just like you," she said. "I've been out there informing and educating the public on the importance of the census, and I haven't even received on yet."
While the U.S. Census Bureau looks to rectify the situation, residents can take action. Forms are available at the Flagler County Public Library, Palm Coast City Hall and the Emergency Operations Center, where census workers are available Monday, Wednesday and Friday to assist with any questions.
Holland also stated that some people may not be able to pick up a form on their own, and suggested neighbors could offer to help obtain forms for neighbors who don't have them yet.
"This is going to be a true community effort," Holland said.
According to Holland, the problem was initially noticed toward the end of March when the county was told that all the forms were mailed out and received by residents. However, as more and more phone calls and e-mails came in, questions mounted.
Residents in gated communities in particular appear to be missing forms. The county has since been told that a second mailing will take place.
Meanwhile, Holland is trying to keep residents dedicated to the task at hand, which is having the most accurate return rate in the state and reaching the 100,000 population mark.
Reaching the mark would increase the county's share of state and federal allocations with transportation, education, roadway and infrastructure dollars. It will also bring the county to a threshold it has never seen in regard to retail opportunities and the ability to be more competitive with commercial and industrial jobs, which could ameliorate the unemployment rate.
"This will give us the opportunity to show that we (as a county) have an available and ready workforce to support those endeavors," Holland said.
Reaching 100,000 could also mean more representation in Tallahassee. That is especially important this year, because the redistricting will take place in 2012.
Holland said when the second mailing goes out, it can definitely put Flagler County in the state lead in returns and closer to the 100,000 mark.
"I've been told we're very close," Holland said.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
But there's a slight glitch in the fluidity of the census efforts: There are still large pockets of homes that have yet to receive a census form. Palm Coast was 29th in the nation in return rate last week, and now, the city has dropped off the top-50 list.
Flagler County is still among the best in the state, however; as of April 6, the county was at a 71% return rate, just two percentage points behind Sumter County for the highest in Florida. Could the results be even higher if not for the mailing glitch?
County Commissioner Milissa Holland has spearheaded the census efforts on behalf of the commission. She said the county wants to thank its residents for their efforts so far, and urged those who have not received their forms not to give up yet.
"It's something we've recognized and are trying to correct immediately, and we're asking people to be patient and remain motivated to accomplish our goals," she said.
Holland is among those who have yet to receive their forms in the mail.
"We're frustrated, just like you," she said. "I've been out there informing and educating the public on the importance of the census, and I haven't even received on yet."
While the U.S. Census Bureau looks to rectify the situation, residents can take action. Forms are available at the Flagler County Public Library, Palm Coast City Hall and the Emergency Operations Center, where census workers are available Monday, Wednesday and Friday to assist with any questions.
Holland also stated that some people may not be able to pick up a form on their own, and suggested neighbors could offer to help obtain forms for neighbors who don't have them yet.
"This is going to be a true community effort," Holland said.
According to Holland, the problem was initially noticed toward the end of March when the county was told that all the forms were mailed out and received by residents. However, as more and more phone calls and e-mails came in, questions mounted.
Residents in gated communities in particular appear to be missing forms. The county has since been told that a second mailing will take place.
Meanwhile, Holland is trying to keep residents dedicated to the task at hand, which is having the most accurate return rate in the state and reaching the 100,000 population mark.
Reaching the mark would increase the county's share of state and federal allocations with transportation, education, roadway and infrastructure dollars. It will also bring the county to a threshold it has never seen in regard to retail opportunities and the ability to be more competitive with commercial and industrial jobs, which could ameliorate the unemployment rate.
"This will give us the opportunity to show that we (as a county) have an available and ready workforce to support those endeavors," Holland said.
Reaching 100,000 could also mean more representation in Tallahassee. That is especially important this year, because the redistricting will take place in 2012.
Holland said when the second mailing goes out, it can definitely put Flagler County in the state lead in returns and closer to the 100,000 mark.
"I've been told we're very close," Holland said.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
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