"It's in Our Hands"

This is the theme that's been adopted for the 2010 Census, and fittingly so. The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every ten years, and your participation matters! A count of everyone residing in the United States in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa, the 2010 Census will help shape the future of communities nationwide.

On April 6th, the 2010 Census launched operation Address Canvassing. This phase will conclude by June 19th, 2009 and involves the Census Bureau employing approximately 140,000 people to canvas all known streets and roads throughout the country. The canvassers identify every living quarter, and verify more than 145 million addresses. And for the first time in Decennial Census history, census workers will confirm, add, and delete addresses using a GPS-equipped handheld computer. Each computer is so secure that it will only work when activated by the fingerprint of its assigned operator. Please note, as Census employees will be going door-to-door to update address lists nationwide, that they will be wearing badges and carrying a Census shoulder bag, as pictured below:

In the last census, one in six households received a long questionnaire asking for detailed socioeconomic information. In 2010, every residence will receive a short questionnaire that is simple and fast to complete and return. So when you see that come through your mailbox next Feb/March, make sure to fill it out and send it back. Did you know, that every year more than $300 billion in federal funds is awarded to states and communities based on census data? That's more then $3 trillion over a 10-yr. period. In addition, census data guides local decision-makers in important community planning efforts, including where to build new roads and schools.

Speaking of important community planning efforts, the Baylands public space planning program will be discussed this coming Monday, 4/13, with the City Council. Peter Dangermond, President of The Dangermond Group, will be presenting recommendations on categories ranging from Habitat Enhancement/Open Space, to Governance, Economics, Operations, and Maintenance. The Council will then provide their feedback and direction to faciliate completion of the draft Baylands Public Space Plan. For a copy of the staff report and support materials for Monday's meeting, please click here. The Baylands is yet another important item that's in our hands, exampled by the Baylands community alternatives process that first kicked off in February of 2007. Monday's public meeting starts at 7:30pm in the Community Meeting Room at City Hall.

And lastly, tickets for Brisbane Community Night at AT&T Park are now on sale in the Parks & Recreation office at City Hall (second floor). The game takes place Friday, May 15th at 7:15pm, with the Giants v. Mets. Tickets are $17 for upper deck view level...so come one out - you may just wind up with a fly ball in your hands!