Senator Oppenheimer Says "Count Me In" to Census 2010 Efforts

The Senator provides key assistance to ensure maximum funding for Westchester communities

Recognizing the importance of an accurate and complete count of all residents residing in Westchester County, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) is actively assisting local communities in her Senate district in their 2010 census outreach efforts.  

Senator Oppenheimer was instrumental in obtaining grant funding from the New York State Department for the cities of White Plains and New Rochelle.  These funds will used to raise awareness of the importance of the 2010 census, to target community outreach efforts in traditionally “hard to count” areas, and to motivate residents to complete and return the census questionnaire. 

The 2010 census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the United States Constitution.  The amount of money available in federal and state aid to local communities depends, in part, on information that comes from the Census.   

“Census data is used to distribute more than $300 billion in federal funds to states and local communities each year,” observed Senator Oppenheimer.  “The census affects federal and state funding in so many critical areas, including education, public transportation, road construction and rehabilitation, hospitals, nursing homes and other health services, programs for the elderly and a host of other services.”

Senator Oppenheimer has dedicated a member of her staff, Mary Schaefer, to assist the Complete Count Committees of communities in her district.  Ms. Schaefer has been concentrating her efforts in Ossining and Port Chester, two villages with large “hard to count” populations.  She has been working closely with local officials to mobilize cross-sections of government, media, business, education, community and faith-based groups around census outreach efforts.  In addition, Ms. Schaefer will serve as the Senator’s point person for residents who have questions about the census or need assistance in filling out the questionnaire.  She can be reached in the Senator’s district office, (914) 934-5250 or by email, mschaefe@senate.state.ny.us.

“Census 2010” questionnaires will be mailed out to every residence this March.  The questionnaire has only 10 questions and takes only a few minutes to fill out.  But the importance of completing it cannot be overstated.  “New York stands to lose $3,000 per person, per year in federal funding for every individual who does not complete and mail back a census questionnaire,” noted Senator Oppenheimer. “Even in the best of times, this is money we simply cannot afford to lose.”

Check out http://www.nysenate.gov/Census for more information