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Jane
Senior Member
102 Posts |
 Posted - 12/31/2006 : 06:40:56 AM
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Math problem leaves Everett in dark
By Katheleen Conti, Globe Staff | December 31, 2006
The problem: Everett officials don't have a true accounting of the city's population because of a low rate of participation in the annual municipal census. The problem has become more prominent as new immigrant s, some fearful of government, have settled in Everett.
History: The population numbers derived from the US Census, taken every 10 years, help determine the amount of local aid and grants given to communities. But the federal numbers don't reflect Everett's population growth, local officials say. According to the 2000 US Census, Everett had a population of 38,037 and was on course to dip to 36,837 by 2005. But City Clerk Michael Matarazzo believes Everett's population has actually increased since 2000. "The actual population has to be in the mid 40s, and I may be low-balling it," he said. "It could cost us funding." Under state statute, communities are required to provide an annual street listing with the names and addresses of residents 17 and over. "We've got a Police Department designed to protect what we feel is an accurate number of people in our community, and it's also used by the Fire Department and schools," Matarazzo said. "For planning, an accurate census is huge. We can determine if there's a need for more housing, larger schools." The census is also used to update voter lists, and to create accurate jury pools. Persuading people to fill out this survey has always been problematic, Matarazzo said, especially with the rise in new immigrants, many of whom are wary of any involvement with the government, regardless of their citizenship status.
Who's in charge: City Clerk Michael Matarazzo, Mayor John Hanlon
New Year's solution: Matarazzo and Mayor John Hanlon have put together a "clergy council " to reach out to new immigrants in the city. Because there are so many nationalities, Matarazzo said, it is imperative to reach out to local church leaders, such as those presiding over Portuguese-speaking congregations, to help get the word out about the census. "The main purpose of it is to be able to have a way of funneling information out there," Matarazzo said. This year, Matarazzo said, he will also ask residents who go to his office for routine documents, such as marriage licenses or resident parking stickers, to fill out the municipal census.
In an effort to reach immigrant parents, Matarazzo said, he and the mayor hope to form a teen council to connect with new students, so that they in turn could give the information to their parents.
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Lynda
Advanced Member
1282 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2006 : 2:18:16 PM
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| This won't work. When I get papers from my sons elementary school requesting family information it clearly states to write down your social security number "if you have one". You should have one! If you don't there is a problem. These forms are for school lunches, medical history, etc... I am not saying these children shouldn't be feed, however, these parents need to teach these children right from wrong and being here illegally just isn't right. We are asking the government to fund these things for these kids that we can not even ask the government for funding for. So in turn it is taken away from the legal hard working citizens whom may be going through a rough time. Our kids have to suffer? I think not! |
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Lynda
Advanced Member
1282 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2006 : 2:23:55 PM
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| Another question, do you really think that someone is going to let out that they have 25 people living in that studio appartment they rent? |
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H1ghCh4r1ty
Advanced Member
967 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2006 : 4:25:50 PM
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That's why we have code enforcement. It is within the pervue of the building code to restrict occupancy load by square footage. An agressive inspection campaign by the city would expose those homeowners who harbor illegals.
Our tax dollars are funding an 11 member team.
There is only so many trash violations within our city.
Let's go after the people who put public safety in jeopardy.
Emile Schoeffhausen |
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Lynda
Advanced Member
1282 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2007 : 09:41:05 AM
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I know this is old post but the schools did come up with a way to try and get some information. They sent the elementary school kids home with a copy of a census form and told them that if they had their parents fill it out and they returned it in the morning they would get a prize. What kid doesn't want a prize? My son immediately came home and had me fill it out. Lets hope other kids did the same. It had the directions attached in 6 different languages.
I have NO idea how many of these papers made their way back to the school. |
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EverettsPride
Advanced Member
1140 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2007 : 10:28:34 AM
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I did not send it back because I had already filled out the census that came to my house. I do not believe illegals are going to fill it out so that their kids can get a prize.
Sally |
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Lynda
Advanced Member
1282 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2007 : 10:48:15 AM
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I filled out the regular census too but I did also fill the school one out.
I too don't believe that the illegals will fill it out however, the kids will try their hardest to have them do it and than ask WHY they won't and maybe, just maybe, it will wake them up to what they are teaching their children. |
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EverettsPride
Advanced Member
1140 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2007 : 10:51:16 AM
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Should you be sending in two different census forms? Aren't they going to the same place?
Sally |
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Lynda
Advanced Member
1282 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2007 : 10:57:17 AM
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| No actually I think this is just for the school. It wasn't the official census. It didn't have the information necessary for the State. I think they were just trying to get a REAL look at the immigrant ratio. Legal or not. |
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Bobby
Senior Member
173 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2007 : 11:57:07 AM
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| I received the census from my little ones school also. It was not official, although it was the regular form it didn't not have nor require certain information that the state would need. I sent it in because *bingo just as you said Lynda he wanted the prize from the teacher. |
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EverettsPride
Advanced Member
1140 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2007 : 1:08:34 PM
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Well, I will have to send mine in. I assumed it was for families who had not sent in their census.
Sally |
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Lynda
Advanced Member
1282 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2007 : 11:20:39 AM
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How sad is this? This is what is listed as our demographics through the state. No wonder it appears we are not getting assistance.
Everett Demographics
Population - 38,037
Latino 9.5%
White 75.2%
Black 6.3%
Asian 3.3%
Other 5.4% |
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Everett in the Dark
