Census Bureau spokesman Efren Salinas. (File photo: RGG/Steve Taylor)

LA JOYA, April 13 - The U.S. Census Bureau is to hold about Road Tour in the Rio Grande Valley with its “Take 10” bus.

The tour coincides with the start of “Update/Enumerate,” a key operation that sees Census workers go door-to-door in the region’s colonias. Controversially, the Census Bureau decided not to send Census questionnaires to colonia residents, relying instead on iits workers reaching them in person.

Here is the schedule:

Thursday, April 15

Event #1

Cameron Park Centro Cultural
Address: 2100 Gregory Ave., Brownsville, Texas 78526
Time: 10 a.m. - Noon

Event #2

La Joya school district offices
Address: ISD Offices, 201 East Expressway 83, La Joya, TX
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday, April 16

Event #1

ARISE Center
Address: 1417 S. Tower Rd Alamo, Texas 78516
Time: 10 a.m. - Noon

Event #2

La Grulla Middle School
Address: 143 S FM 2360, La Grulla, TX 78548
Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday, April 17

Event #1

Colonias Unidas
Address: 8019 Embassy St • Rio Grande City
Time: 10 a.m. - Noon

Event #2

Our Lady Lord’s Catholic Church
Address:1609 Glen St Zapata, TX 78076
Time: setup 3:30pm, event 4:30-6:30pm

Monday, April 19

Event #1

Santa Teresita Community Center
Address: 1514 US Hwy 59 Laredo, TX
Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Event #2

International Bank of Commerce
Address: 9710 Mines Rd Laredo, TX 78045
Time: setup 2-3pm, event 3-5pm

Tuesday, April 20

Laredo event. To Be Arranged.

In a news release, Census Bureau spokesman Efren Salinas said tour staff and local officials will be on hand at each stop to answer questions and to promote participation in the 2010 Census. He said the aim is to raise awareness that Census workers and “local facilitators” will be visiting every household in the colonias to get answers to the Census questions in person.

“It is the most labor-intensive operation that the Census conducts, but it is also the most comprehensive and accurate in getting a complete and statistically valid count,” Salinas said.

“The stops are part of the 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour to raise awareness of the once-every-10-years count and the details it collects to paint a statistical portrait of our country.”

Salinas said the “Take 10” bus will also showcase its “rolling civics lesson” at the La Joya school district offices and at stops in Laredo. The public is invited to see the “Take 10” van, view the 2010 Census questionnaire and learn the importance of the census through the vehicle’s numerous displays and interactive features, he said.

A lot of people are watching how well the Census Bureau does in counting the residents of La Joya. As of Monday, only 33 percent of La Joya residents had participated in the Census. Most La Joya residents did not receive Census questionnaires in the mail and are having to rely on visits from “Update/Enumerate” workers.

“The Texas Border area is a growing and dynamic region with many recent immigrants who may not understand the importance of the Census and who may also be wary of government initiatives,” Salinas said.

Salinas pointed out that Census population results are used for the apportionment of U.S. Congressional seats and for distribution of more than $400 billion in federal funds to states and communities annually.

“In 2008 alone, Hidalgo County received almost $1.3 billion in grants and programmed funding from the federal government for streets, health services, public facilities and educational programs. Webb County received more than $538 million that year, the most recent for which figures are available,” he said.

Write Steve Taylor

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