Northeast Texas Farmer’s CO-OP Must Delay Annual Meeting
In a press release received from Northeast Texas Farmer’s CO-OP, operating locations in Sulphur Springs, Greenville, Canton, and Clarksville.
Your Ag Cooperative’s Feed Mills, Farm & Ranch Centers, and Fertilizer Plants remain open for business under our Homeland Security Essential Critical Infrastructure designation. As all of us experience the incredible uncertainty surrounding our World since March, I want to recognize our “Front Line” folks that serve you on a daily basis. They/we have practiced sanitizing and cleanliness to a degree we never thought obtainable. But…what risks were/are they taking engaging in daily face-to-face interaction? Our folks have done it and done it well.
The business and governance structure of your Co-op continue despite the Pandemic. Our Year-end was March 31, 2020. With that comes our Year-end Audit. Your Board of Directors and our Management Staff are working closely with the Auditors to assure that the year-end inventories and financial results are verified accurate. The Audit process will take approximately another month to complete. It has been both virtual and physical in scope.
Now, let us talk about our Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op Annual Meeting scheduled for the first Thursday in June. We will NOT have our Annual Meeting on June 4 th. Your Board and management are working with our Auditor, Co-op Attorney Gary McLaren, and other folks to determine our By-Law obligations and legal obligations to our NETFC Members. It is our obligation to have the Annual Meeting, but the timing of it very likely could be pushed out as far as late next Fall. Some of these questions are tough to answer because there is no precedence. We are actively practicing the “Do The Right Thing Doctrine”. I and our Board wish we had more definitive answers for you on this May 11th date of writing, but we don’t. What can we assure you of? Your Cooperative is in good Board Governance and Management Staff hands.
What I can be definitive about is the fact that 100% of our employees are showing up to work on your behalf. Agriculture is Essential Critical Infrastructure to Our Counties, Our State, and our Country. You are in need Essential Critical support in your agricultural operation, and our Cooperative was formed to do just that.
Stay safe and may we all continue knowing that we walk daily in His Grace and in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Tackling Fairy Ring Disease Before It Gets Out Of Hand
With our lawn care season in full swings, is important to take a closer look to our lawns BEFORE conditions get out of hand.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension:
fairy ring disease causes brown or dark green arcs or circles that appear in lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and other turf areas. The symptoms are most likely to develop between spring and fall. They are caused by fungi that feed on decaying plant tissue.
Brown-colored drought symptoms from fairy rings develop when the fungus forms an almost impervious (hydrophobic) layer in the soil that prevents water from reaching the grass roots.
Dark green and lush growth of turfgrass near infested areas by fairy ring is caused by the nitrogen that is released when the fungi decompose organic matter. The circular symptoms of fairy ring can range from a few inches wide and 5 to 10 yards in diameter.
Fairy rings are classified by their symptoms:
- Type I: Ring of brown, wilted, dead grass
- Type II: Ring of dark green grass
- Type III: Ring of mushrooms or puffballs
Fairy rings produce varying degrees of symptoms, making classification difficult. The symptoms may occur simultaneously. It is important to note that drought symptoms in turfgrass are associated with Types I and II, and scalping (mowing leaf blades too low) can be associated with Type II symptoms.
Fairy ring fungi are spread by wind or introduced into new areas when contaminated soil and organic matter are added to a site.
Take these steps to prevent and control fairy ring:
Reduce thatch by mowing the grass with a vertical mower and by aerating — removing small soil plugs or cores from the lawn. Remove tree stumps and roots to reduce the amount of organic matter on which the fungus feeds. Topdress — add a fine layer of high-quality sand on top of the lawn. This dilutes the amount of organic matter and provides a substrate for turfgrass root growth.
For dark green fairy ring symptoms (Type II), fertilize the grass with nitrogen to mask the rings by stimulating growth in the rest of the turfgrass. For brown-colored drought symptoms (Type I), aerate the soil and drench it with a wetting agent (a chemical that helps water penetrate and spread) to enable water to reach the grass roots. Apply extra water on the hydrophobic root zone.
Usually, fungicide application is not recommended for home lawns, but it may be necessary for golf courses and other commercial turf.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-884-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Trustees Approved 30 Personnel Changes For SSISD
Top Students Recognized, Board Reorganized, Budget Calendar Presented At May Board Meeting
During the regular May board meeting, Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees approved 30 personnel changes and recognized top seniors. The 2020 budget calendar was also presented and unopposed incumbents were sworn in for another term, then, the board reorganized during the meeting as well.
Personnel Items
The trustees approved 30 personnel changes, during the May 11 Zoom meeting, including 12 resignations, eight new personnel recommendations and 10 changes either in job position or location among current SSISD employees across the district. The recommendations approved include the following:
Top Students
The trustees recognized Sydney Washburn as the SSHS Class of 2020 valedictorian and Andrew Westlund as the salutatorian.
SSHS Principal Derek Driver last month officially announced the pair as this year’s top students during a small gathering of media, a few school officials, Washburn and her family members — social distancing was enforced. Westlund did not attend the announcement.
“You guys are great shining example of what SSISD can do,” SSISD Superintendent Michael Lamb told them when offering congratulation to the pair.
The daughter of Troy and Kris Lopez and Scott and Ashley Washburn, Sydney Washburn finished her career at SSHS with a 4.0 grade point average.
She plans to attend Baylor, where she will major in medical humanities and religion. She sees becoming a pediatrician as “an opportunity to provide a more general care in areas that need it.”
Westlund, who was unable to attend the honors announcement Monday, graduates with a 3.96 GPA. He is the son of Daniel Westlund and Misty Westlund.
Westlund plans to attend Oral Roberts University, where he will study to become a quantum computer programmer.
Washburn offered thanks to the trustees and SSISD staff for all of their “wisdom and hard work” that went into making Sulphur Springs High School “such a special place.”
The SSHS class of 2020 valedictorian noted her experience at SSISD to be a great one, providing what will always be “some of my best memories.”
Salutatorian Westlund too expressed thanks to the school board for the honor as well as a fewer other occasions in which he earned other recognition for his academic achievements. He said he too has had a “really great school career; thank you for that.”
SSISD Board of Trustees President Robbin Vaughn extended congratulations to both for their hard work. She noted typically, the board would present each with a plaque at their board meeting. However, because the meeting was held on Zoom, so the district will get that out to them.
Oath, Reorganization of the Board
SSISD Board of Trustees May 2 trustees election was cancelled at the March board meeting, ahead of the COVID-19 changes to planned elections. The incumbents were the only candidates to file for the May 2020 election. Because they were unopposed for the two seats, the election was not necessary.
Robbin Vaughn, who serves as president of the board for two years, and Robert Cody, who has served as vice president of the board, Monday night were sworn for another 3-year term on the school board, with Marci Owens administering the oath.
Afterward, the trustees selected the three members to serve as top officers on the board. Robert Cody will now serve as president, Craig Roberts as vice president and Jason Dietze as secretary of the school board.
Budget Calendar
SSISD Business Manager Sherry McGraw presented to the trustees with a planned calendar for development of the 2020-2021 fiscal budget for the district.
Officials anticipate presenting a preliminary budget to the school board on June 8. This will feature revenue based on a new template, and estimated tax values and estimated student counts. Expenditures will include campus requests and estimated payroll increases. Employee turnover will not be entered in budget at this point. Any new expenditures will be added, however.
On July 13, the board should receive another preliminary budget with will include revenue based on new template, estimated tax values and 2019-20 student counts. Expenditure will include campus budget requests, payroll increases, employee turnover and any new expenditures.
The district should have certified values on July 25, which will give school officials a more firm idea regarding revenues. That will allow a proposed 2020-2021 budget and tax rate to be drafted and presented for the board to consider adopting on August 10. This final proposed draft of the budget will include certified values and final student counts used for revenue. Expenditures will include all changes to payroll, all campus budgets, and any new expenses that have been identified that need included.
To finish out the 2019-2020 budget, McGraw anticipates presenting to trustees at a special noon board meeting August 28 for trustees approve the amended 2019-20 to reflect any changes made to the original budget due to unexpected expenses or revenues.
Chamber Connection — May 14, 2020
Texas is opening back up as we speak! I sure would like to encourage everyone to be safe and smart as we re-open our daily lives, and I will admit that it sure feels good to be getting back to normal.
Next week, Governor Abbott will be having another press conference to release the details of the next round of businesses openings. I know everyone will be watching on the 18 to hear the outline of this.
It’s hard to plan events approaching for the summer and fall. Truth is … it’s hard to plan things one month away! 2020 is going by in a blur, and I’m just not sure we’ll remember the details of it when it is all said and done. Just hang in there, everyone! Hopkins County is doing well and trying extremely hard get moving again.
Business Highlight
During the year 2020, The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a business each week.
Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for May 7 th , Century 21 Firstgroup.
SNAP Online Grocery Purchasing Pilot Program Launches Wednesday
AUSTIN – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission today announced the planned launch of a statewide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Or SNAP Online Grocery Purchasing Pilot Program. SNAP recipients will be able to purchase groceries online at participating retailers for curbside pickup or delivery starting Wednesday.
“As we respond to this pandemic, the state of Texas is committed to helping SNAP recipients throughout the state access nutritious food for their families,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “I thank HHSC for launching this new program and for its continued work to help Texans in need while containing the spread of COVID-19.”
Starting Wednesday, May 13, SNAP recipients can visit participating retailer websites and use their Lone Star Card to purchase groceries for curbside pickup or delivery. Currently, participating retailers in Texas are Walmart and Amazon.
“This innovative initiative helps provide healthy food to Texas families who need it the most during this challenging time,” said HHS Access and Eligibility Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter. “We’re committed to reducing food insecurity for at-risk Texans.”
SNAP funds may only be used for grocery purchases. Other associated charges such as delivery or convenience fees may not be paid for with SNAP benefits. SNAP recipients do not need to make any changes or updates to their account to use this new benefit and only need their PIN to complete transactions.
This expedited launch is the latest in the COVID-19 response for SNAP recipients in Texas, which includes recipients having their renewal requirements temporarily waived and receiving the maximum eligible allotment by household. SNAP recipients will see the maximum allotment amount on their Lone Star Card by May 15 and do not need to take any further action to receive additional benefits.
About SNAP
This program provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of families in need, so they can purchase healthy food and move toward self-sufficiency. In Texas, SNAP benefits are put onto the Lone Star Card (EBT card), which can be used just like a credit card at any store that accepts SNAP. Texas Health and Human Services administers the federal program throughout the state. More information about SNAP benefits is available here.
Two Wildcats Football Assistant Coaches Submit Resignations
Two New SSHS Coaches Hired
At the Monday night meeting, the Sulphur Springs school board accepted the resignations of two Wildcats football assistant coaches. The Sulphur Springs ISD trustees also approved two new coaches, as Athletic Director Greg Owens is shuffling his coaching staff.
Wildcats Football Assistant Coach and Assistant Softball Coach Chris Valdovinos is leaving to become the Defensive Coordinator at Mexia for former Wildcat player, coach and coordinator Triston Abron, now the Black Cats Head Coach in Mexia.
Wildcats Football Assistant Cameron Warren has resigned to take the Defensive Coordinator job at Commerce High School for the Tigers new Head Football Coach and former Wildcat Johnny McSheffery.
Coach Owens said he has promoted Jason Meskimen from freshman football team coach to varsity assistant to replace Valdovinos. Coach Owens also promoted freshman football coach Kevin Hatcher to varsity football assistant to place Warren.
The board Monday approved the hiring of Kendall Mathis to replace Meskimen as a freshman football coach and Ira Franklin to replace Hatcher as a freshman football coach. Mathis is also a World Geography teacher and Franklin is a PE teacher.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
13 Lady Cats Players Selected To All District Soccer Team
The Lady Cats Soccer Team earned two superlatives and had 11 other team members chosen on the District 15-5A All District Soccer Team.
Ashley Noe 
Rebekah Stanley
Senior Ashley Noe was selected as the All District Midfielder of the Year.
Freshman Rebekah Stanley was named the District Newcomer of the Year.
Three Lady Cats made the All District First Team: senior Jasmine Olvera, senior Haley Robinson and senior Shelby McCormick.
Three more Lady Cats were on the All-District Second Team: senior goalkeepers Lily Worth and McKenna Gammill and Janine Yamaguchi.
Earning Honorable Mention All-District honors were Alexis Franks, senior Lois Rocha, Vanessa Lara, senior Lisseth Carmona and Isabelle Thesing.
When the Lady Cats season was suspected on March 16 by the UIL due to the threat of coronavirus, the Lady Cats were 10-9-1 for the season and were 6-3 in district play. A final match for the season at Royse City and the playoffs were canceled by the UIL.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Hopkins County COVID-19 Stats: 321 Negative, 17 Pending Tests; 4 Active Cases
Civic Center Will Again Serve As ‘Mobile Test Collection’ Site
Of the 346 COVID-19 screenings of Hopkins County residents, only eight have been confirmed positive, 301 were negative and 17 test results are still pending, according to the COVID-19 testing update reported by Hopkins County Hospital District COO and EMS Director Brent Smith at 11 a.m. May 12. The number of screenings will likely increase significantly within the week, as test results from another free mobile test collection planned in Sulphur Springs this Friday begin coming back, according to the Hopkins County Emergency Management Team.
Free Mobile Testing
Another free COVID-19 mobile test collection is scheduled from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, 1200 Houston St., in Sulphur Springs. Registration is required. Call 512-883-2400 starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 14 register for the screening. Callers will be asked some simple brief questions about any symptoms they may have.
Anyone working in the fields of healthcare, public safety or critical infrastructure will automatically be accepted for the testing even if the person has no symptoms.
Smith and HCEMT encourage individuals to take advantage of the opportunity to test if they feel that they may have come in contact with someone or feel they have symptoms. This is for anyone in those above listed fields, anyone who exhibit symptoms or feel they have been in contact with someone who has symptoms.
Testers don’t have to be Hopkins County residents either. In fact, tests may be scheduled at any of the state’s mobile test collection sites free. If testing at any other test location, those being tested should be sure to enquire about associated fees. For a daily list of available testing locations, free or otherwise, go online to covidtest.tedem.texas.gov, check the online map for the next nearest site, then click for additional information (including times, address and directions).
The City of Emory will also have the testing on Friday at the Rains Junior High School. Callers may request either location.
Those registered will simply stay in a vehicle, get in line and roll down their window when it’s time to be tested. The sample will be taken. When the results are in, the person tested will be notified of tje results. More than 80 people were tested at the mobile test collection site held two weeks ago at the CIvic Center.
Hopkins County Stats
Hopkins County received reports from the state of two new lab-confirmed cases over the last week, bringing for a total of 8 cases confirmed by healthcare providers and Texas Department of State Health Services during the 58 days Smith has been providing regular updates.
The first 4 COVID-19 patients had all recovered from the virus by April 22, giving Hopkins County 8 days without any active COVID-19 cases, according to officials. The first new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Hopkins County since April 4 were reported the afternoon of May 1. One additional case each was reported on May 7 and May 10; all four cases are still active as of the last report from emergency officials.
| COVID-19 TESTING TOTALS AS OF: | 3/21 | 3/27 | 3/30 | 4/02 | 4/06 | 4/10 | 4/15 | 4/20 | 4/22 | 4/28 | 5/5 | 5/12 | COVID-19 TESTING TOTALS AS OF: |
| Confirmed Positive Cases | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | Confirmed Positive |
| Active Cases | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | Active Cases |
| Confirmed Negative Tests | NA | NA | 16 | 41 | 65 | 97 | 115 | 130 | 137 | 174 | 279 | 321 | Confirmed Negative Tests |
| Pending Tests | NA | NA | 44 | 32 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 16 | 17 | Pending Tests |
| Screenings Sent for Testing | 31 | 53 | 62 | 76 | 89 | 114 | 126 | 141 | 149 | 181 | 301 | 346 | Screenings Sent for Testing |
Because Hopkins County continues to have 5 or fewer active cases, the businesses authorized by the Governor to reopen last Friday may continue to do so at 50 percent capacity.
Overall, 346 individuals with Hopkins County addresses have met the requirements put in place by Texas DSHS and the Centers for Disease Control for testing and have been screened for COVID-19. Seventeen tests were pending at the 11 a.m. May 12 HCHD/EMS reporting time, one more than the May 5 report.
In the last seven days, 32 additional tests have come back negative for COVID-19, for a total of 321 lab-confirmed negative tests as of the May 12 testing report.
Texas Stats
Overall, 219 of Texas’ 254 counties have reported positive cases of COVID-19, which is three more counties reporting cases than on May 5, according to Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Health and Human Services COVID-19 case counts data, which was last updated at 3:25 p.m. May 11.
Some areas of Northeast Texas are doing better than others as far as number of cases reported, with only four counties in the area reporting fewer overall confirmed cases than Hopkins County.
Delta Counties as of the 3:25 p.m. DSHS/HHS report on May 11 was the only Northeast Texas counties with only 1 case, and that individual has recovered. Rains County remained at 2 cases, both have recovered. Franklin Counties had 1 additional case over the last week, for a total of only 3 cases, including 1 patient who has recovered from CVOID-19. Camp County continues to have only 7 cases, included five people who have recovered, according to the state data.
Morris County’s count increased from 5 to 9 COVID-19 cases, although four people have reportedly recovered from the virus. Red River also has nine cases, eight of which are active.
The remaining counties in Northeast Texas’s cases all have more than 10 cases each, some showing small and others significant increases in cases.
| TEXAS Reports (DSHS/HHS) | April 10, 2020 | April 15, 2020 | April 20, 2020 | April 22, 2020 | April 28, 2020 | May 5, 2020 | May 12, 2020 |
| Total tests | 115,918 | 151,810 | 190,394 | 216,783 | 300,384 | 427,210 | 525,697 |
| Cases reported | 11,671 | 15,492 | 19,458 | 21,069 | 26,171 | 33,369 | 39,869 |
| Confirmed COVID-19 Patients In Texas Hospitals | 1,532 | 1,538 | 1,411 | 1,678 | 1,682 | 1,888 | 1,725 |
| Patients Recovered (Estimate) | 1,366 | 3,150 | 5,706 | 7,341 | 11,786 | 16,791 | 21,713 |
| Fatalities | 226 | 364 | 495 | 543 | 690 | 906 | 1,100 |
Dallas and Tarrant Counties have the second and most COVID-19 cases in the state, with Harris County leading.
Tarrant County has 3,695 confirmed cases, with an estimated 104 deaths and 806 who have recovered from the virus (putting Tarrant fourth to Bexar County’s 978 recoveries). Dallas County’s 5,870 cases, resulting in an estimated 145 deaths and 2606 recoveries. Harris County 7,878 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, with 179 fatalities and 3,138 who have recovered.
Five other counties across the state have more than 1,000 cases: Travis County 2,127 cases, Bexar County 1,901, Fort Bend County 1,385, El Paso County 1,340. Potter County also passed that mark this week with a total of 1,124 cases.
An additional 194 COVID-19 deaths were reported in Texas in the last six days, for a total of 1,100 fatalities reported to DSHS and HHS, as of the May 11 report.
However, an estimated 4,922 additional Texas patients have recovered from COVID-19 in the last six days, increasing the total number of Texas recoveries to 21,713 as of the May 11 report.
Throughout the state, 98,487 additional COVID-19 screenings have been sent for testing over the past seven days, up to 525,697 total screenings for Texas as of the DSHS/HHS report on May 11. Some of the increase can be attributed to the state efforts to offer additional testing in more areas, including temporary drive-through and mobile test collection sites.
An additional 6,500 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed throughout the state during the past seven days. That brings the total of Texas confirmed positive COVID-19 cases to 39,869.
The number of lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals decreased by 163 patients over the last week to 1,725 in the hospital for COVID-19 as of the May 11 report. Throughout Trauma Service Area F, within which Sulphur Springs is located, 16 COVID-19 patients were reported to be in regional hospitals, the same as reported six days ago, according to the state report.
While the number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases remains small, eight total confirmed cases during the last 58 days and only four of which are active cases, HCHD and EMS remind everyone to continue practicing social distancing and proper hand-washing techniques. Doing so will help keep the Hopkins County positive number low by helping to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 through the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
From the Director’s Notebook The Sulphur Springs Public Library is Open
The Sulphur Springs Public Library is open! We are so happy to be assisting the public again. Please stop by, say Hello and get re-acquainted with your library. The hours for May are Monday through Friday 10-6. We will add our Thursday evening and Saturday morning hours in June.
Children 0-13 -We have a great Summer Reading Program planned…online! It may take a little getting used to, but please give it a try. Friend us on Facebook for announcements, download the ReadSquared app and register for the Sulphur Springs Public Library in Texas! It takes the place of the paper reading log by keeping track of your reading minutes. There are also fun Missions to complete for extra minutes. If you do not have online access, do not worry, we still have paper reading logs. The prizes range from bookmarks, books, brag tags, coupons, backpacks, virtual teddy bear workshop and final drawings for Family/Party packs at local restaurants and activities. Summer Reading has started early this year and we want to see you get started!
Teens 13+ – SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for teens 13+. SYNC gives participants two thematically paired young adult/teen themed audiobooks a week. The purpose is to introduce a variety of audiobook experiences to teens. You can register for SYNC at www.audiobooksync.com. There will be two featured titles each week through July. The titles, once loaded into the app, are yours indefinitely. The two featured titles this week (May 7-13) are: Picture us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert and Secret Soldiers by Paul B. Janeczko.
Adults – New titles are here and available for checkout!
All Adults Here by Emma Straub
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Close Up by Amanda Quick
The Farm Stand by Amy Clipston
Find Me by Laura Van Den Burg
Hello Summer by Mary Kay Andrews
The Lincoln Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer
Paladin by David Ignatius
Pelosi by Molly Ball
Grudge Match (Robert B. Parker) by Mike Lupica
Sea Wife by Amity Gaige
Unyielding Hope by Janette Oke
20th Victim (Women’s Murder Club) by James Patterson
“Reading makes you sexy.” Best-selling author Jordan Gray agrees that knowledge and personal development absolutely make you more attractive to the opposite sex. If you have ever been wondering what to say to be more interesting on a first date, or feel lost in your current relationship on what to talk about, grab some books, start a discussion, and share some insights. When you start reading more, your partner will start reading more, and you will both become more interesting. Go get more interesting! – Joe Girard
Sulphur Springs Public Library, 611 North Davis, 903-885-4926, www.sslibrary.org
From the Director’s Notebook By Hope Cain, Sulphur Springs Public Library
The 2020 Census is the buzz. What does it mean, why is it so important?
Census Bureau mailed an invitation to complete the 2020 census online or by phone. The invitation included a code to identify the residence and help minimize duplicate responses. The online census portal is open now. The census is simple safe and significant for people in our community.
Poor access to technology or a bad internet connection should never be a barrier to participation in this vital exercise in our democracy. With our nation’s first-ever digital census around the corner, public libraries will offer reliable and trusted places for citizens to get information, fill out their forms and ensure a full and accurate count in 2020. The library is one of several designated “communication hubs” established in familiar locations across the city to help residents access and take the census. Staffers will help residents navigate the website. The library is not only a trusted welcoming place, but it is also the sole source for internet access for many people in our hard to count community.
Learned that the census count is closely tied to millions of dollars in federal funding for our community
Hopkins County does not want to be undercounted and miss out on critical resources. The library can help and staff is ready to assist with the census. As of May 5th, Hopkins County’s Self Response rate is 52.2%. We need to boost that response rate so, come to the library, fill out and return your census and get a free census themed giveaway!
People think that voting is their civic duty and the feel obligated to do it. However, they do not realize that the census has just as much impact on their world as voting does. For example, census data directly impacts congressional redistricting efforts, as well as the number of representatives a state sends to Congress, the census even impacts how much in federal funds will be distributed for local programs – everything from Medicaid to SNAP benefits.
The census is one way the people of this country become more visible. Only 2/3 of respondents marked themselves “extremely likely” or “very likely” to complete a census form- the main barriers being concerns about data privacy and confidentiality, fear of repercussions, distrust in all levels of government, feeling that being counted doesn’t matter and the belief that completing the census might not benefit someone personally.
Government attempts to gather citizen data are often met with hostility – and this year’s census is no exception. The flames of any mistrust that might have already surrounded this census have been fanned at least twice: First, by the new option to complete the form online, which may be met with diffidence by the 52% of American adults whom the Pew research Center calls “relatively hesitant” about using digital tools, and which may also raise concerns around cybersecurity. Second, by the Trump administration’s controversial and ultimately failed attempt to add a citizenship question. There is a lot of fear around providing information to the government. By law, census data cannot be shared with Department of Homeland Security, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement or any other government agency or court. For the more than 15% of US adults who speak a language other than English at home, the prospect of completing a lengthy census from may be daunting. (The Census Bureau does supply video and print guides in 60 languages as well as Braille and Large Print; questionnaire assistance and internet self-response in 12 non-English languages and Tagalog; and a paper census form in Spanish)
In addition to governmental services and funding, the data collected on the census allows people and businesses to understand and analyze information and use it to learn about their communities.
For example:
The 2010 census data showed that 19% of Adults in Hopkins County do not have a high school diploma. The public library was able to show these data to area businesses and obtain donations to begin participating a high school diploma scholarship program for adults. We have had seven graduates and have more scholarships available. We would not have been able to join this program without the census data.
Sulphur Springs Public Library, 611 North Davis, 903-885-4926, www.sslibrary.org
Information and facts from American Libraries, March/April 2020
