CITY NEWS
CENSUS DAY IS QUICKLY APPROACHING!
THE U.S. CONSTITUTION MANDATES THAT A CENSUS IS CONDUCTED. It is one of the very few duties of the federal government that was spelled out by the Founding Fathers in 1787. Further legislation requires a census every 10 years.
The U.S. Constitution requires the U.S. Census Bureau not just attempt to offer information or a service to the population, but that the Census Bureau actually reach and count every person living in the United States and its territories — of all ages, residence statuses, and locations — whether or not they desire to participate, and regardless of whether they are difficult to find, reach, and count. The purpose of the 2020 Census is to conduct a census of population and housing and disseminate the results to the President, the states, and the American people. The goal of the 2020 Census is to count everyone once and in the right place.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER? The city of Scottsdale’s budget comes from state-shared revenue based on population. Each person counted is worth $3,000 in public services. Essential city services, including police and fire protection as well as roads, parks, hospitals, and schools all depend on an accurate census count.
The Census Bureau will be introducing new technology in 2020 to make it easier than ever to respond to the census. For the first time, you will be able to respond online, by phone or by mail. • Online - People will receive a mailed postcard with a personal code to enter their information online. • Phone - Residents can also call to take the survey. •Mail - Paper surveys will be mailed if online submissions are not entered. Your information is secure and private. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share your answers by name with others, including welfare agencies, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Internal Revenue Service, courts, police and the military.
The numbers published by the Census Bureau are combined with thousands of answers from people in your neighborhood and across the country.
Only sworn Census Bureau employees can see your responses. In fact, the law provides severe penalties for any census employee that makes your answers known. HOW IS CENSUS DATA USED? • Census data determines the number of seats allocated to the states for the House of Representatives. This requirement is mandated in the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 2 and the 14th Amendment, Section 2). • Census data is used for defining representative boundaries for congressional districts, state legislative districts, school districts, and voting precincts. • Census data is used to appropriate federal funds to local communities including Scottsdale, Arizona. • Census information is used to calculate unemployment, crime, and poverty rates as well as health and educational data. • Businesses of all sizes depend on census data to make decisions about where to locate, hire, and invest.
LET IT FLOW: CITY OF SCOTTSDALE APPROVES WINE CONSUMPTION AT CITY PARKS By Molly Cerreta Smith IT’S WINE TIME IN THE CITY OF SCOTTSDALE! At its January 21 meeting at City Hall City, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 4437, which amends city code to allow wine consumption throughout facilities at the City of Scottsdale’s Parks and Recreation Department around the community.
of beer in Scottsdale parks with the purchase of a permit. Beer is permitted to be consumed in cans or kegs only, with glass bottles prohibited in all Scottsdale parks. Presently, beer is the only alcohol that Scottsdale permits within our parks system due to state liquor law restrictions that were in effect the last time the Scottsdale park rules changed.”
Reed Pryor, Parks and Recreation director and Nick Molinari, Parks and Recreation manager authored a report to the City Council that outlines the fact that beer consumption is currently allowed but (until now) wine consumption has been prohibited by state law.
Throughout 2018-19 fiscal year, officials report that the Scottsdale Parks and Recreation Department issued 707 beer permits, and City Parks officials reported that the Arizona Legislature changed state law allowing people to “consume wine from a broken package” in public recreation areas with the permission of the property owner.
The report reads: “The City of Scottsdale currently allows the consumption
The report to council stated that “[t] his change went into effect on August
4 • March 2020 • THE SCOTTSDALE STANDARD
27, 2019 as House Bill 2281 from the 2019 state legislative session. Prior to the passage of HB 2281, state law only allowed people to consume beer from a broken package in public recreation areas with the permission of the property owner.” Chapter 20, Article III of Scottsdale City Code was amended to allow permitted wine drinking beginning on the first of this month. Officials report the amendment also defines the cost of “beer and wine permits” as $15 according to the Community Services Fees and Charges adopted by City Council.
will not request or store personal identification information. Parks and Recreation officials also reported that the Scottsdale Police Department does not anticipate impact to public safety. So let’s raise a glass to Scottsdale… and let them drink wine!
In effect, Ordinance No. 4437 changes the fact that there is no formal application for a permit. Any language referring to an “application” is being changed to a “request” and that the city thescottsdalestandard.com
