NEWBURGH – The regional census office will be located in rural Poughquag and Newburgh officials are maintaining the headquarters or a satellite office in the city.
They note that 10 years ago, only 57 percent of city residents participated in the count and having an office in Newburgh would increase those number.
Councilwoman Karen Mejia said the city’s federal representatives need to make the push.
“If we want to support the increase in the visibility of it, I think our federal partners have to look at that aspect,” Mejia said.
City officials said they need the support of US Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Congressman Maloney to get that accomplished.
Mayor Torrance Harvey, meanwhile, said census takers should be chosen from among the community because people are afraid to provide personal information.
“That some way, somehow, that’s going to backfire on that family whether it is because they receive social services, because they are impoverished, whatever,” Harvey said. “There may be people who may have a criminal record. The point is, the people in the black community don’t trust the government.”
Council members urged city residents to apply online for census-taker jobs in their community.
