Press Release

Formation of Complete Count Committee for 2010 Census

FORMATION OF COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE FOR 2010 CENSUS

FONDA, NY- At the recommendation of the U.S. Census Bureau, the Montgomery County Economic Development and Planning office has been in the process of forming a Complete Count Committee for the upcoming 2010 Census. Office staff has been reaching out to the public, inviting residents from various organizations to volunteer as members for a committee that will be innovative, exciting, and rewarding. Assistant Planner Randy Siver said, "Our office compiled an extensive list of contacts which was used to mail letters inviting residents throughout Montgomery County to represent their municipality or organization on this committee."

The purpose of the committee is to plan and implement local outreach efforts to publicize the importance of the 2010 Census, increase awareness about the census and motivate residents in Montgomery County to respond to the census questionnaire. The committee will work best when it includes a cross section of community representatives from government agencies, education, business, religious organizations, community groups, the media, etc. Senior Planner Doug Greene said, "Our staff discussed at length the structure of the committee, and we decided on one committee for the entire county." Mr. Greene went on to say, "We felt the county would be sufficiently represented by establishing a committee consisting of at least 21 members, of which approximately one third of the members from the City of Amsterdam." The more informed residents are about the 2010 Census operations, the better their understanding of the census process becomes, thus increasing their willingness to be a part of the successful enumeration in 2010.

Office staff prepared a resolution officially forming a Complete Count Committee and appointing its 21 members. The resolution went before the Economic Development and Planning Committee Tuesday, April 7, which gave its positive approval to move the resolution on to the full Board of Supervisor's meeting Tuesday, April 28. Mr. Siver said, "We're excited about the Committee's decision and feel confident the resolution will pass when it comes before the full Board... this proves that Montgomery County fully grasps the importance of achieving a complete and accurate census count and how census data impacts our communities."

According to the resolution, the Economic Development and Planning office is acting as the local affiliate for the 2010 Census, which Mr. Siver added "We've been working with the U.S. Census Bureau and the New York State Data Center for quite sometime... assisting with the processes that need to be completed locally leading up to and continuing beyond the 2010 Census. Even though the census enumeration begins April 2010, there still remains work to be done after this and we want to be prepared. This can be achieved through a Complete Count Committee." Members to be appointed include Matt Agresta, confidential aide to Amsterdam Mayor Ann Thane; Florida Supervisor William Strevy; Betty Sanders of the Town of Palatine; Evelyn Lindley of the Town of Root; Village of Fonda Clerk JoAnn Downing; Montgomery County Planning Board members Luis Aguero and Crystal Ricciuti; Glen Town Clerk Roxanne Douglass; Secretary to the Superintendent of Ft. Plain Central Schools Rebecca Smith; Superintendent of Fonda-Fultonville Central Schools James Hoffman; Fulton-Montgomery Community College President Dustin Swanger; Ladan Alomar of Centro Civico; Montgomery County United Way Director Lauren Bibby; Peter Lenz of the Resource Center for Independent Living; Juan and Carline Ramos of the Salvation Army; Stephen Prohaska of the Montgomery County Office for the Aging; Jerri Cortese of St. Mary's Hospital; Lesley Lanzi of Amsterdam Memorial Hospital; Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce President Deborah Auspelmyer; Marilyn Smith of Cornell Cooperative Extension; Denis Wilson of Fulmont Community Action Agency; and Randy Siver of the Montgomery County Economic Development and Planning Office. The Chairperson of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors has the authority to appoint a Chairperson to the Committee, which will be done following the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. Siver said in closing, "Following the adoption of the resolution, we will quickly move forward by notifying Committee members of their appointment along with scheduling a date for our inaugural meeting. The agenda for our kickoff meeting will include time for introducing ourselves, creating a meeting schedule and a presentation by Annette DeLavallade, U.S. Census Bureau Partnership Specialist. We're very excited about the Committee and can't wait to begin."

Call the Economic Development and Planning office at 518-853-8334 for more information or visit their website.

About Montgomery County Business Development Center

The Montgomery County Business Development Center is a comprehensive resource for business and economic development and planning services throughout Montgomery County. Available services include business development and technical assistance; company and facility siting; workforce and labor development; and government coordination, including permit processes and Empire Zone incentives. In addition, the Center provides County Planning services and grant writing. The Montgomery County Business Development Center is comprised of the Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency and the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development of Planning.