|
 
 
 
 
|
|
 Special Announcement
|
|
|
City, Census Bureau Hold Kickoff Event for Census 2010
Release Date: 02/01/2010 |
On January 27, the representatives of the City of Bayonne and the U.S. Census bureau held a kickoff event for Census 2010. Participants at the session included municipal officials, census workers, educators, clergymen, business owners, war veterans, and others. They gathered to hear information about local activities for the census, the count of the U.S. population, which takes place every ten years.
Leading off the presentations in the Dorothy Harrington City Council Chambers, Mayor Mark A. Smith cited the importance of census data for distributing more than $300 billion to states and localities. He mentioned that Bayonne's annual Community Development Block Grant of $2 million from the federal government is tied directly to population figures. That grant helps to fund street-paving, senior nutrition, park repairs, and aid to non-profit organizations.
Mayor Smith issued a proclamation declaring January 27 "Census Kickoff Day" in the City of Bayonne. Senior Partnership Specialist Geraldine Clark, a Hudson County resident, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the U.S. Census Bureau.
Council Member At-Large Terry Ruane reminded residents that the U.S. Constitution requires a census be taken every ten years, in order to allocate seats in the House of Representatives to each of the states. Ruane asked people to talk up the importance of the census with fellow residents, because federal aid to education, health, and other services in Bayonne depends on the census. He also stressed that the Census Bureau does not share information about individuals with other government agencies.
Public Information Director Joseph E. Ryan, Chairman of Bayonne's Census 2010 Complete Count Committee, gave the audience an update on the growth in Bayonne's housing units since Census 2000. He explained that ten years ago, the Census Bureau counted 26,826 housing units in Bayonne. During the last several months, Ryan said, the Census Bureau and the City of Bayonne have updated address lists to account for new construction. As a result of updating the address list, Ryan estimated that more than 28,000 housing units would get census forms in the mail in mid-March. He asked houses of worship, clubs, and organizations to emphasize the importance of the census to Bayonne residents.
Representing the Census Bureau, Geraldine Clark said that Census 2010 would determine whether New Jersey keeps or loses its thirteenth seat in the House of Representatives. In response to questions from the audience, she emphasized the importance of residents' completing census forms, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. She also explained that the forms should include data about each resident of the household, in order to ensure that they are all counted in the census.
Maren Welch, a personnel recruiter for the Census Bureau, invited interested local residents to apply for jobs with Census 2010. The Census Bureau will be using multiple locations in Bayonne and Jersey City to test job applicants, Welch said. People interested in making appointments for job testing should call the Census Bureau at 1-866-861-2010. Welch said that more information, including a practice test, is available at www.2010censusjobs.gov.
Dr. Patricia McGeehan, the Superintendent of Schools, announced that the Board of Education would be taking several steps to promote the census. In February, Census Bureau representatives will have literature tables at Bayonne's public schools during parent-teacher conferences. She showed the audience a sample copy of the census brochures that the Board of Education will be sending home with all students in March. Dr. McGeehan also said that the school system would promote Census 2010 through telephone and e-mail messages to each student's family.
Other Board of Education personnel at the event were elementary school administrator Kenneth Kopacz and Gerald Murphy, Acting Principal of Vroom School.
Commenting after the event, Council Member Ruane said, "We are fortunate to have so many sectors of the community that are concerned about the census. I would like especially to thank members of the religious community, members of the Board of Education's Census Committee chaired by Dr. McGeehan, and members of the City's Complete Count Committee chaired by Joe Ryan, for their involvement in this kickoff event."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back To Announcements