SOPCAW Census Update

Members of SOPCAW were in a festive mood during their last meeting. Pictured from left to right are Chairperson Michael O'Donald, Treasurer Edna Fraylon, President Anthony Gellineau, Assistant Secretary Donna Ward, Corresponding Secretary Inez Moscatiello, Recording Secretary Sonia Silva and Vice President Michael Duvalle. A U.S. Census Bureau representative attended the Tuesday, Dec. 16 South Ozone Park Civic Association West meeting to apprise community residents of the group's upcoming 2010 report and its importance in determining the distribution of federal monies in individual communities.

USCB Partnership Specialist Elsy Guibert appeared at the Saint Anthony of Padua Church Rectory to describe how she's currently visiting several civic groups and faithbased organizations to tell people how their participation in the 2010 Census population count would help bring in federal dollars to South Ozone Park and other areas in all 50 states.

Elsy Guibert of the U.S. Census Bureau was on hand to update community members on new questionnaires that people will be asked to fill out for the upcoming 2010 Census report. By obtaining an accurate tally of populations throughout the nation, she indicated, the federal agency allocates funds for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and other services that contribute to the collective betterment of everyone's quality of life.

This national survey is taken and released every 10 years, but unlike the most recent Census questionnaires, the 2010 version, which will begin being circulated Apr. 1, 2009, will consist of only 10 questions instead of 50, according to Guibert.

She estimated that it would take no longer than 10 minutes to fill out the entire form.

The surveys will reportedly be mailed to heads of households, who will be asked to provide their ages, addresses and other basic data.

"This is how you get your police, firemen and ambulances," said SOPCAW Chairperson Michael O'Donald.

Dan Hendrick of the New York League of Conservation Voters (right) tells civic members how his group is trying to open up the communication lines between politicians and their constituents. (photos: Ralph Mancini) One of the consequences of low numbers of responders during the 2000 Census, recalled Guibert, was the redistricting of the areas under the jurisdiction of Rep. Joseph Crowley, who ended up representing a Bronx community as the result of low turnout in one of his old areas in Queens.

The federal employee assured that the identity of undocumented individuals participating in the studywouldn't be revealed.

Their involvement in the endeavor would only considered for its numerical value, she said. All other information would remain undisclosed.

Guibert further mentioned USCB's American Community Survey, a new nationwide questionnaire designed to supply communities with an updated view of how housing and population are changing. ACS data can be accessed by visiting www.factfinder.census.gov.

Reaching out to elected officials

The civic meeting was also attended by Dan Hendrick, communications director of the New York League of Conservation Voters, who filled the audience in on the mission of his organization, which specializes in connecting local elected officials, as well as political candidates, with voters and allowing them to communicate on issues in public settings.

In fact, Hendrick advised SOPCAW President Anthony Gellineau on his intentions of sponsoring a Candiates Night in his area and inviting all candidates running for State Senator-elect Joseph Addabbo's City Council seat in the 32nd District to speak at the event.

"We are not supporting any candidate," maintained Hendrick, who formerly served as a newspaper editor. "We want people to know where candidates stand. We are an environmental organization, but we're very broad. We have a stream of funding to pay for all these activities."

When asked by civic vice president Michael Duvalle what his group would do if politicians don't follow up on their promises during these public sessions, Hendrick informed him that NYLCV publishes reports and score cards to let the masses know what elected officers have or haven't done.

One issue that many in the audeince wanted to hear candidates offer their views on is the possibility of increased bus fares.

The Sunnyside resident expressed his interest in teaming up with SOPCAW and getting locals more interested and involved in what's taking place around them.

Meeting notes

Gellineau told attendees about a recent Queens Civic Congress reception he attended. He reported having conversations with City Council members Eric Gioia and Tony Avella about visiting with SOPCAW. Both reportedly were on board with the idea.

Others in attendance at SOPCAW's December meeting included Audrey Lucas from City Council Member Thomas White's office; Jaison Hilliard, representing Rep. Gregory Meeks; and Yvette Sledge of State Sen. Shirley Huntley's office.

The South Ozone Park Civic Association West regularly meets on the third Tuesday of the month at St. Anthony of Padua's Church Rectory, located at 133-25 128th St. SOPCAW will not be holding their January meeting due to the presidential inauguration on Tuesday, Jan. 20.