Some residents receive duplicate Census forms

Local residents in recent days may have received a second Census form delivered by the postman. This is not a mistake, according to Census officials.
Jennifer Edwards, a partnership specialist for southwest Georgia, told The Messenger Tuesday that Grady County was identified as a “hard to count” area during the 2000 Census so the Census Bureau had mailed out duplicate forms to some addresses in hopes of increasing participation.
Ms. Edwards says if you received a second Census form and you have already mailed back the original form simply mark duplicated on the second form and mail it back to the Census Bureau.
In the 2000 Census, only 64 percent of forms mailed were returned by Grady County residents.
As of Tuesday, Grady County was already rated at 61 percent participation, which is just under the national average of 62 percent, but above the state average of 59 percent.
Both Grady County and the City of Cairo have put added emphasis on the Census this year as opposed to previous years.
Local officials believe the additional publicity and promotion in hopes of getting every resident counted is paying off.
In southwest Georgia the Census participating varies greatly. Other county participation levels, as of Tuesday, are: Early – 48%; Miller – 60%; Seminole – 44%; Decatur – 61%; Thomas – 61%; Mitchell – 64%; Colquitt – 57% and Brooks – 50%.
Local officials also remind residents who have post office boxes to drop by one of several locations throughout the county to pick up a copy of a Census form since forms were not mailed to post office box addresses.
Forms are available now through April 19th at Roddenbery Memorial Library, Grady County Department of Family and Children Services, Bethlehem AME Church and the Grady County Senior Center.
To speak with a Questionnaire Assistance Center volunteer call 229-377-1722, ext. 3002 and ask for Judith Pinon, who is heading up the city of Cairo’s Census initiative.