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PERTH AMBOY’S 2010 UNITED CENSUS AWARENESS EFFORTS PRESS CONFERENCE HELD ON MARCH 9

PERTH AMBOY, NJ — Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz and William G. Dressel, Executive Director of the New Jersey League of Municipalities (NJLM) reinforced the need for an accurate count and encourage elected officials to reach out to their community at a press conference held on Tuesday, March 9.

Mayor Diaz was also joined by Michael R. D’ Agnes, President and CEO, Raritan Bay Medical Center; Albio Sires, Congressman, 13th Congressional District; Joseph F. Vitale, Senator, 19th Legislative District; Christopher D. Rafano, Freeholder Director, Middlesex County; Raul Vicente, Senior Media Specialist, New York Region, U.S. Census Bureau and Dianne Roman, Chairperson, Perth Amboy Complete Count Committee.

The event took place in Centennial Hall at the Raritan Bay Medical Center seating over 120 people, including Perth Amboy High School ROTC Cadets and the Perth Amboy Catholic school students who quietly listened as Mayor Diaz stated the value of reaching out to the school system. “They play a great role in helping to bring home the message about the Census and the impact it will make to non-English speaking parents/guardians.”

Panelists at 2010 Census Press Conference

        Speaking during the March 9 press conference on the importance of the census is Michael R. D' Agnes, President and CEO, Raritan Bay Medical Center. Also pictured (l to r) are Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz; Albio Sires, Congressman, 13th Congressional District; Joseph F. Vitale, Senator, 19th Legislative District; League Executive Director Bill Dressel; Christopher D. Rafano, Freeholder Director, Middlesex County and Assemblyman Craig J. Coughlin; 19th Legislative District.

Woman Speaking at Podium

        Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz emphasized the importance of an accurate census count and encouraged elected officials to reach out to their communities.

Mayor Diaz stated the efforts that the City of Perth Amboy has taken including meetings, activities, programs and a Census 2010 presence over 100 events. “Even with our countless days of planning and outreach the figures released in December will be what matters. Everyone know that this is our time and there is no turning back for the next ten years, so it’s our duty to speak now!”

Congressman Sires stressed the need of an accurate count not only in the State, but in each municipality. “Federal funding is available to you for education, social services, health care and infrastructure.”  Sires also thanked Dressel for making a great decision in naming Mayor Diaz Deputy Chair of League Census 2010 Awareness Committee for the NJLM.

“The effort we make today to count every New Jerseyan will pay off many times over in the years ahead. Without an accurate count, our towns and cities risk being short changed,” said Bill Dressel, Executive Director, New Jersey League of Municipalities.

Freeholder Director, Rafano mentioned how important Census 2010 is to Middlesex County as he announced the attendance and support of Freeholder Deputy Director James Polos, Freeholder Ronald G. Rios, Freeholder Mildred S. Scott, Freeholder Banquita B. Valenti and County Clerk, Elaine M. Flynn.

The City of Perth Amboy has declared in a resolution, April 1, 2010 as Census Day. Questionnaires will be mailed out the second week of March.

Other elected officials in attendance were Assemblyman John Wisniewski and Assemblyman Craig Coughlin and Councilman Nick Perrette from Sayreville.  Several community leaders, city officials and medical staff were also in attendance.

For more information about the City of Perth Amboy, please visit the City of Perth Amboy website.