Sound Shore

Unsatisfied with the City Council’s efforts to figure out a fair approach to redrawing New Rochelle’s district lines, a group of residents is taking it on themselves. The Concerned New Rochelle Citizens for Redistricting Committee has formed, in the words of a news release, “to create an unaffiliated and independent legal research sub-committee to study all applicable laws” related to the redistricting process. Former Assemblyman Ron Tocci and former Mayor Len Paduano are members of the committee.

Redistricting, which cities are required to do following the release of Census figures, which happens every 10 years, is often a politically contentious and divisive process. The last time New Rochelle went through it, the city was sued. This time around, the city is racing to complete the process prior to elections in the fall.

Committee Chairman Mark McLean said in a statement, “City Hall must take seriously its obligations to residents of all backgrounds, ethnicities and locations. If the politicians will not protect the propriety and independence of the process, then it is up to the free and independent citizens to guarantee it!”

“Portrait of America” Road Tour is not a traveling art show or a monsters of folk compilation. It’s a tour meant to promote participation in the U.S. Census and the van is stopping in New Rochelle tomorrow.

The tour heads to New Roc City from 2 to 6 p.m., where census staff will do interviews, have announcements, and give out educational material and promotional freebies — census Frisbees and key chains, anyone? Twelve vehicles have been making the rounds across the country since January, and the New York wheels are dubbed “Liberty.”

“Over $400 billion in federal monies will be allocated annually, and we want to be sure New Rochelle gets its fair share,”  said New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson.

For more information on the Road Tour, visit 2010census.gov/roadtour. For information on the City of New Rochelle’s Census efforts visit www.newrochelleny.com/census2010 .

From a press release:

The US Census office in Southern Westchester County is recruiting applicants for temporary positions with Census 2010. Most jobs pay $18 to $20 hourly, offer flexible hours and the convenience of working close to home. Bilingual skills are a plus. To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 and pass a multiple-choice employment test. The tests are offered daily throughout Westchester, including Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester and Rye. To register for a test, call (866) 861-2010 or (914) 705-5290.

Census forms will be delivered or mailed in March, and households will be asked to return the forms by Census Day—April 1, 2010. Census workers will visit households that do not return forms to take a count in person.

For more information about 2010 Census jobs, visit http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs