DeKalb Census Response Rate Lagging State and National Averages

April 8, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

If you’re a census slacker and haven’t yet filled out the form for the 2020 head count, the federal government is trying another way to get in touch with you.

Starting Wednesday (today), the U.S. Census Bureau is mailing out paper forms to 65.6 million homes nationally whose residents haven’t yet answered the once-a-decade questionnaire.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the DeKalb County response rate at 33.5% is approximately 12% below the Tennessee and national averages. Response rates for the cities are as follows: Liberty-28%, Alexandria 33.9%, Smithville 36.5%, and Dowelltown 39.8%. The final county wide response rate for 2010 was 62.3%.

Most U.S. residents started getting notices about a month ago that they could respond online or by phone. But about 20% of households automatically received a paper questionnaire, either because their area lacks consistent internet connectivity or their neighborhood has a high percentage of people over age 65.

Now the rest of the nation, at least those households that haven’t responded, are getting paper questionnaires.

About a month into the start of the 2020 census for most U.S. residents, the self-response rate is approaching half of all households, with most responding online. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa and Virginia are setting the pace with response rates over 50%. But in other states — Alaska, West Virginia and New Mexico — only between a quarter and a third of households have responded.

The Census Bureau’s suspension of field operations between mid-March and mid-April due to the spread of the new coronavirus may be affecting response rates.

The Census Bureau says the current national response rate is on track for what was expected. Because the 2010 census only used paper forms, and the schedule was more compressed, a side-by-side comparison of response rates from the two decades is flawed. But almost a month into the 2010 census, about two-thirds of households had responded.

The 2020 census will guide the distribution of some $1.5 trillion in federal spending and help determine how many congressional seats each state gets in a process known as apportionment.

April 8, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Tornado warning sirens were on the minds of the Smithville mayor and aldermen during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting.

Mayor Josh Miller raised the issue during a work session last month with the aldermen and Smithville Fire Chief and DeKalb Emergency Management Agency Director Charlie Parker.

Automated tornado sirens strategically placed across the city could be set up to activate when tornado warnings are issued for this area. When the sirens are activated, they would sound alerting the public to seek shelter immediately.

Currently the city’s only outdoor warning alert is an antiquated siren atop the city hall building.

Since the work session last month Parker has contacted a company which conducted a survey of the town and made a recommendation on a system for the City of Smithville. In the package, Parker said the city would get two sirens, placed near either the hospital or high school, and at the airport. The projected costs for the sirens and automated software system to trigger it would be about $73,000. While the survey showed that two sirens would be sufficient to cover the city limits, Parker said the system would have the capability of adding more sirens if needed.

The mayor and aldermen will consider including funding for tornado sirens for the 2020-21 fiscal year during budget preparation meetings which are expected to begin soon.

April 8, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen Monday night paused to pay tribute to a former mayor and alderman who passed away last week.

Mayor Josh Miller recognized the longtime community service of 94 year old Edward Frazier, who served a Smithville alderman and mayor during the 1970s. Frazier was also a World War II veteran and a successful businessman.

“The City of Smithville and our community lost a great friend and supporter when Mr. Edward Frazier passed away at his residence on Friday, April 3, 2020.”

“Mr. Frazier lived a full and interesting life. He was born to Robert Lee Frazier and Hassie Hubbard Frazier on March 13, 1926 on a farm in the Dry Creek community of DeKalb County.”

“Mr. Frazier was drafted into the U.S. Army as soon as he got out of high school in 1944. He took basic training at Camp Forrest, TN and advanced infantry training at Camp Blanding, Florida. After his training, he was shipped to England where he joined the 99th Infantry Division. His division crossed the English Channel and was on duty in the Ardennes region of Belgium when the German army invaded in the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Frazier was a combat infantryman who fought the enemy in Belgium, crossed the Rhine River on the Remagen Bridge and fought in southern Germany until he war ended with Germany’s surrender. For his exemplary combat service, Mr. Frazier was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.”

“After the war, Mr. Frazier went into the nursery business in Smithville as owner and president of Frazier Brothers Nursery Company. He married Frances Fuston and to them were born Susan (Hinton) and Edward, Jr.”

“Mr. Frazier served the Smithville community by his service on the city council for many years and as mayor two terms. He was an active leader in many civic organizations, including the American Legion where he served as commander of Smithville POST 122. Mr. Frazier for many years was the community leader for the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day remembrance events at the courthouse.”

“Mr. Frazier was a tireless promoter of Smithville. During his service on the city council and in the mayor’s office, many infrastructure improvements were made to the city’s streets, parks, water system, and airport, and new municipal buildings were constructed: the city hall, the library, and the post office. The legacy of Edward Frazier’s service to our community can be seen all over town.

“Edward Frazier was a good and honorable man who loved his family and his community. The City of Smithville is a better place because of Edward Frazier, and we are grateful for his life and his service to our nation and city,” said Mayor Miller.

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