DAILY NEWS: When it comes time to stand up and be counted, Philadelphia may not be ready. That’s the evaluation of a new report released yesterday by the Pew Charitable Trusts on the city’s preparedness for the 2010 Census. “Philadelphia is lagging behind other major cities in mounting the kind of local outreach and awareness campaign for the 2010 Census that many experts consider important for achieving a full count,” the report said. According to the report, seven of the other 10 cities surveyed had launched citywide coordinating committees by early October. The other three cities had secured more funding for the census than Philadelphia, which has not launched a coordinating committee. The census has broad ramifications for the city and state – helping determine how federal funding is allocated, as well as helping determine how many members of Congress will represent the state. Los Angeles has allocated $770,000 and Chicago has raised $900,000 but Philadelphia has secured only $12,000, the report said. Philly spent $360,000 in public and grant dollars on the 2000 census. MORE
UPDATE: Although an autopsy has concluded Sparkman died of asphyxiation and the coroner confirmed the word was written on him, likely in felt-tip pen, authorities are saying little else about his death, even whether it was a murder, suicide or accident. Hatcher said census workers have heard little either, although several have been interviewed by police. MORE