Hispanics urged to be counted in upcoming census

By Tiffany Gibson

Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Hispanic residents gathered Wednesday to learn about the 2010 Census and how minorities’ participation can help improve Southern Nevada communities.

The event in front of Cardenas Market, 4421 East Bonanza Road, was part of the 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour, which is scheduled to make more than 800 stops nationwide.

The tour provides residents with informational pamphlets and access to U.S. Census Bureau employees who can answer questions about the upcoming count.

Resident Marcela Urbina, 37, said she was shopping at Cardenas and noticed the event outside. She said she moved from Mexico to Las Vegas eight years ago and found the information provided helpful.

Aldo Aguirre, regional director of the 2010 Census in Nevada, said one in four people in Southern Nevada is Hispanic. He said if more Hispanics would participate in the census, Nevada would receive more federal funds for community centers and education.

“Over $4 billion a year in federal dollars will come to benefit neighborhoods,” Aguirre said. “It will not just benefit the Latino community. It will help families falling below the poverty line.”

He said a complete count could also help Nevada build on its political representation by adding a fourth Congressional seat.

Resident Sanuel Meza, 50, said he’s been living in Nevada since 1986 and will be participating in the population count for the first time this year. He said he was misinformed for years and is glad the Census Road Tour is clearing up some questions for other residents, too.

“We should count ourselves,” Meza said. “If there is no money coming in, then there’s no education.”

Aguirre said the 2010 Census will create more than 5,000 jobs in Nevada helping with the count’s collection and promotion process.

Artie Blanco, Nevada director for The Hispanic Institute, spoke at the event and said a recent survey found 75 percent of Hispanics know what the census is. She said some people are just hesitant to participate.

“This is the first time there’s a short form with 10 questions, and it takes 10 minutes, Blanco said. “It will determine services for the next 10 years.”

Aguirre said one of the reasons people might not participate is they’re afraid their information will be viewed by government officials. He said the tour lets people know their information is safe, confidential and cannot be shared with any government agency.

For residents who couldn’t attend the event on Wednesday, Cardenas Market spokesman Marcos Robles said, the store will be providing information to customers throughout the month. He said the store has installed screens at checkout lines and various places around the market to remind people to participate.

Census Bureau employees will begin hand-delivering surveys to residents in rural areas in Nevada in early March. The majority of residents will receive census forms in the mail by mid-March. All of the paperwork should be filled out and returned by May 1.