Vice Mayor Michael Johnson's
Arizona Informant Column
Sept. 7, 2005

The 2005 Census is safe and confidential: Please participate and be counted!

The Census surveys have finally arrived and many of you have done your duty by filling them out and returning the surveys by mail with the pre-paid postage envelope.

As I’ve mentioned before, one in 13 households in Maricopa County are receiving this survey so that cities and towns can have an accurate count of their respective populations.

Cities and towns use this information to acquire their share of state-shared revenues – revenues that help pay for basic services such as public transportation, youth programs, senior services, parks, libraries and police and fire protection.

Some residents are hesitant to fill out the survey for various reasons, among them privacy concerns, legal status issues or plain old fear of how the information will be used.

Please be assured that the Census information you provide is only for population figures and totally and 100 percent confidential.

The federal government has been conducting Census counts since 1790 and not once has there been a breach of confidentiality.

In fact, by federal law it is illegal for anyone to share Census information. The courts, F.B.I., immigration authorities, police or any other governmental entity does not and cannot have access to the information you provide.

Not even the president of the United States has access to your personal information.

Remember by filling out your survey, you are representing 12 other households in your community, which means more funds for your city to provide the services you rely on and deserve.

So on behalf of yourself and your family, please fill out the Census survey and mail it back immediately, and I thank you in advance for your participation.

Michael Johnson is Phoenix Vice Mayor and represents District 8. His office can be reached at 602-262-7493 or at michael.johnson@phoenix.gov via e-mail.