Mahwah September 23, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 7 Council takes neutral stance on 2010 census by Frank J. McMahon Concurring with the recommendation of its council president, Mahwah’s governing body has decided not to take any action on a request from Randy Brown, mayor of Evesham Township and chairman of the 2010 Census Awareness Committee, to become a 2010 census partner and agree by resolution to support the goals and ideals of the upcoming census. The recommendation to take a neutral position on the request was made by Council President John DaPuzzo after the council reviewed information sent to Mayor Richard Martel and the members of the council by Councilman Allan Kidd, Kidd had voiced an objection to a census questionnaire entitled The American Community Survey. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, that survey is part of the Decennial Census Program and is conducted under the authority of Title 13 of the United States Code. It is conducted every year by mailing the multi-page questionnaire to one in every 480 households. Title 13 requires the Census Bureau to keep all information obtained through the questionnaire strictly confidential. The questionnaire is 11 pages long for each person in the household, and the Census Bureau claims it takes 38 minutes for the average household to fill it out. The survey asks personal questions about each member of the household, and about the family’s housing, the level of education of each member of the household, the ethnic ancestry and language spoken, the health insurance under which each household member is covered, and other questions about the health of each household member, their marital status, and number of children and grandchildren, if they served in the armed forces, and their employment and income history. Kidd and the rest of the council do not object to the basic 10-item questionnaire that will be circulated to all households, but they voiced concern about the multi-page questionnaire that is sent to random households. Kidd said the part of the census that asks 10 questions appears to be the primary purpose of conducting a population count, and that should be filled out. But he objected to the other survey, explaining that the American Community Survey asks about income, education levels, and facilities in homes. Kidd believes that, if that survey is filled out accurately by Mahwah residents, the township may appear to be an affluent, moderately diverse town, as compared to county, state, and national standards. He claims that such a view of the township could cause the county, state, and federal governments to divert money from the township to other communities. The council discussed the issues raised by Kidd at the last public meeting, and agreed not to pass a resolution opposing the census, but declined to pass a resolution supporting it. “If we take action on it,” Councilman Samuel Alderisio said, “it might give the impression that we support filling out the 65-page questionnaire.” Mahwah Township Attorney Terry Bottinelli advised that the census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution, and federal law requires all households to fill out the questionnaire in a timely manner or face a fine. Kidd responded, saying the federal law is trumped by several amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Mayor Martel advised that this issue was discussed at a recent Northwest Bergen County mayors’ meeting, and several towns are not taking any action on the request to pass a resolution of support for the census. “Many towns are remaining neutral and not taking a stand on it,” Martel said. “It would be my recommendation that the (Mahwah) Council do the same.” The township had been requested by the chairman of the 2010 Census Awareness Committee to agree to disseminate 2010 census information to encourage those in the community to participate in it; to encourage people in the community to place an emphasis on the 2010 census and participate in events and initiatives that will raise overall awareness and ensure a full and accurate census; to support census takers as they help the community complete an accurate count, and to create or seek opportunities to collaborate with other like-minded groups in the community by participating in Complete Count Committees and/or enlisting high-profile, trusted voices to advocate on behalf of the 2010 census. ������������������������������������������� ��������� ��������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ ����������������������������������������������������� ����������������� BAI’S TAE KWON DO ����������������������������������������������� 8 Week Program ������������������������������������������� $ ��������������������������������������� Includes Uniform Includes ���������������������������������� 195 1 FREE Trial Class Ramsey • 201-327-7080 Bai’s Tae Kwon Do 9-16-09Joan/Janine BaisSayYes2x4(9-16-09) 2 x4