So, what's the deal with the Census? Simple: Money and Power (as H'burg knows)

Apparently the City of Hattiesburg learned the hard way why a complete count is so important for the Census.

From the Hattiesburg American...

Only 60 percent of the population participated in the 2000 census, which probably prevented the City of Hattiesburg from receiving a substantial amount in federal funds in the past decade.

But the next 10 years will be different, officials said.

"I have taken this personal," Traycee Williams, partnership specialist for the Dallas Regional Census Center told the Hattiesburg City Council Monday.

Williams appeared before the council and Mayor Johnny DuPree Monday asking for their support in getting better participation from the community with the 2010 Census survey.

"You'll see a lot of me because I want to count everyone," Williams said. "We count people who are documented and undocumented, but I can't do it alone."

Williams has already begun a partnership with the city and officials in Lamar, Petal and Forrest County to plan what is being called, "The Pine Belt Kick-Off" celebration to raise community awareness.