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Opinion
April 18 - May 1, 2009 29
Publis
Community
Note
her’s
Commentary
85 years ago
Census helps Chandler count
It was April 18, 1924. In a tiny town called Paia, just
for federal, state funds
below the northern coast of Maui off the Hana Highway,
by Councilmember Rick Heumann Population counts are also used to
a young Portuguese woman had just given birth to a
This time next year every household defi ne legislative and school district
premature baby. The infant, who was not expected to
in the United States will receive a boundaries and to determine each
survive, was placed aside in a bowl so the midwife could
mailing worth a few thousand dollars. state’s Congressional representation.
attend to the mother.
It won’t be a lottery ticket or a tax
Suddenly, a noise from the three-month preemie
The questionnaire itself has been
startled the workers, who realized the child was alive and once again turned
refund, but the 2010 Census survey. greatly simplifi ed from years past. It
their attention to her.
In fact, every resident counted is only 10 questions long and should
Pi’ilani (PEA-ee-LAH-nee) Norene Feiteira not only survived, but thrived,
in Chandler is expected to bring take just a few minutes to complete.
and as many Hawaiian island children, learned to swim before she could
approximately $4,000 in federal and Forms will be available in English
walk. Despite her birth size, she quickly sprouted into a tall young woman,
state funds to our community over and Spanish and other languages
her long gangly legs taking her happily along the sandy beaches in nearby the next 10 years. upon request. Again, the information
Spreckelsville, and back home to Puunene, where her father was a barber, Nationally, more than $300
provided is strictly confi dential with
and later a blacksmith on the sugar plantation.
billion per year will be allocated severe penalties for Census workers
However, in order to gain residency and go to college on the mainland,
for projects such as neighborhood who divulge personal information.
Pi’ilani fi nished out her high school years at Pt. Loma High in San Diego,
improvements, public health, In the upcoming weeks, you
where she lived with an aunt, far away from her parents. Her determination
education and transportation. There may observe Census takers walking
to get a higher education took her to the University of California at Berkeley,
is so much at stake that preparation
where she proudly graduated with a degree in English, speech and
Chandler neighborhoods to verify
education.
for the Census is starting a year in addresses. They will be identifi ed
She went back to the islands, teaching English and journalism on the
advance to educate the public and with a Census badge and are using
island of Lanai. It was during this time that the now 6-foot tall woman met a
maximize participation. handheld computer devices to record
6-foot-2-inch Marine who was stationed in Honolulu. Sparks fl ew, and their
Here in Chandler, a Complete and transmit building address data
romance began. It would eventually become a very long-distance relationship
Count Committee is being formed via wireless communications. But at
between Hawaii and his native Iowa. to coordinate communication efforts this time they will not be knocking on
After spending his service time as a public information offi cer and rifl e with the business, religious, education
anyone’s door.
team sharpshooter for the Marine Corps, Lowell was honorably discharged
and neighborhood communities. The There may be other job and
and went home to Perry, IA. The couple stayed in touch, and he eventually
Committee will be led by pastor and volunteer opportunities available
sent an engagement ring through the mail, and asked her hand in marriage.
former Councilmember Kevin Hartke throughout this process. Although
Pi’ilani accepted, and began planning their wedding which would take place
as well as other community leaders. the initial recruitment has exceeded
in a chapel near the Berkeley campus. Her friends were skeptical, wondering
Volunteers interested in serving on
if it was wise to marry this fellow who she had not seen during their
expectations, the U.S. Census Bureau
18-month letter-writing romance, and to relocate to such cold weather.
the Committee are encouraged to is advertising for temporary, part-
But wed they did: she wearing a ballet length, white lace dress with an
contact City staff by emailing Jane time workers in various areas. For
80-inch red carnation lei, and he in a white formal dinner jacket and red
Poston at jane.poston@chandleraz. further information on the availability
carnation boutonnière. They spent time in the Bay area and San Diego before
gov. We anticipate that efforts to of these positions, Chandler residents
moving to the decidedly different climate of rural Iowa. Lowell went back to
reach out to the community will last can call the local Census offi ce in
farming with his father, and the couple raised four children. Lani, as she was well into the spring of 2010 when the Phoenix at 602-427-0680 or the toll
then known – a decidedly easier name to pronounce – became an integral surveys will be mailed out to residents.
free job line at 1-866-861-2010.
part of the town’s education system, serving as a member and president
Those who do not return the form will It is critical that everyone take the
of the Earlham School Board; and for more than 20 years, worked in social
receive a second mailing and may be Census survey seriously and that we
services in Madison County before retiring.
visited by a Census worker. mobilize our community to ensure
Now at age 85 and 82 respectively, Lani and Lowell live in Prescott Valley,
Not only is it fi nancially rewarding that we receive our fair share of
where she is involved in sewing, quilting and dog-sitting while he sells real
for everyone to fi ll out the survey,
estate. They will be married for 59 years in August.
funding. The $4,000 that each person
Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you …
it is actually mandated by the U.S. counted brings into our City annually
Thanks for reading the SanTan Sun News.
Constitution. Since 1790, all residents can translate into great projects such
in the United States have been as building new parks and roads and
required by law to be counted every improving services for the youth and
decade. This includes people of all elderly. It is an opportunity that only
ages and ethnicities whether they are arises every 10 years, and funding for
a citizen or non-citizen. such critical services couldn’t come
Laurie Fagen, PublisherLaaurie Fagen, Publisher
Information about individual at a better time.
households is strictly confi dential
but statistical data and demographic
characteristics are used by
Have a story idea or news tip? Know of an interesting photo opportunity? How
decision makers to understand
about positive feedback or constructive comments? We’d like to hear from you. Email
us at News@SanTanSun.com.
how communities are changing.
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