Churches, nonprofits rally to back Census

More than 100 people, particularly those representing local faith organizations and nonprofits, gathered Mt. Zion's Baptist Church in central Bakersfield to rally its members and urged the media to raise awareness about Census 2010 efforts.
The event drew community leaders, such as the Rev. Hiawatha T. Calhoun of Mt. Zion; Devender Singh Bains of the Sikh Community Radio; Andrae Gonzales of Faith in Action, Kern County; and David Villarino of the nonprofit Farmworker Institute for Education and Leadership Development.

"Some people are afraid of the Census," Bains said. "It's fear of the unknown. It's all about education.

"We need to educate at least 100 people and ask these people to educate another 100 people."

Census takers will be out in neighborhoods soon, asking for household information, but not private data, such as Social Security, driver's license or credit card information.
Attendees included Dolores Huerta; Ruscel Reader, Cesar Chavez School principal; and Kristie Coons of the Kern County Library special projects.
Demographic information from the 1990 Census data helped set aside federal funds, with a local match, for new libraries, Coons said.

"We got wonderful resources that we wouldn't have had," Coons said.

Meanwhile, the Census data can also help others connect with their past family history.
Earlena Morris, whose husband is Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce president Ali Morris, told the crowd that she used Census records to help trace information about her great-grandparents.
Morris, who is Choctaw and African American, said she was able to uncover that her great-grandmother was a freed woman.

"The mere fact that Alex Haley was able to go as far back as he did, that's not common," Morris said. "But for our family, the Census count has been invaluable."

New commander
My congrats to Lt. Kevin Zimmermann, who will be promoted to commander with the Kern County Sheriff's Department Friday. His new rank will take effect Saturday, and he will be assigned to the Lerdo Detentions Bureau.

Zimmermann grew up in Arvin and has been with the department for nearly 20 years. He's worked varied assignments, including SWAT, internal affairs, the Wasco substation and jail. In the past, he's served as a recruit training officer for the sheriff's academy, field training officer for new deputies, a detective in Tehachapi and personnel sergeant. Currently, he is managing the eastern and northeastern county sections of the substation division.
He and his wife, Sofie, are proud parents to eight daughters and one son, and are my youngest son's godparents. He is also a grandparent of three and an active member of St. Francis Church in Bakersfield.
We're very proud of you, Kevin.