Comment

Comment by Bill Lewis on October 7, 2011 at 7:00pm

Way to go Matt !!
Council Member Schellenberg stated that he had reviewed the council district lines from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s and it seems to him that we have gone from compact districts then to much more elongated, strangely shaped districts today.  He urged a return to compactness.
In response to a question from Council Member Boyer, the Planning Department explained that a finger extending off the east end of District 4 is the result of the shape of a Census block and can’t be shortened or squared off because data can’t be used at a sub-block level.

Comment by Bill Lewis on October 7, 2011 at 6:57pm

John Libby,
Did anything interesting happen at the Rules Committee meeting yesterday? Here is the link to the minutes http://apps2.coj.net/City_Council_Public_Notices_Repository/2011100...

Comment by John H. Libby on October 6, 2011 at 10:25am

Today, Thursday October 6, 2011 at 2 pm the Rules Committee meets to consider the redistricting plan.  There will be no public comment.  The Rules Committee will in all likelihood move forward with plan labeled Redistricting Map 09/22/2011 SE Compact w/Party. 

Comment by Patricia M. McBride on October 2, 2011 at 4:29pm

No public comments.............so we can all go and listen to them duke it out as long as we keep our mouths shut?????  I had thought to go just to take notes and see who said what!

Comment by Patricia M. McBride on October 2, 2011 at 4:27pm

Mike, and then, it will be let the lawsuits begin as it really isn't going to matter what they do, one side or the other is going to start the law suit filing rolling.  From what you are saying the tea party is being played for chumps by at least some of the council members instead of pointing out the facts and also trying to make things right so there won't be law suits by either side!  I am pretty sure I know who you spoke with (always well informed and does the homework on issues), and not a word mentioned about the changes would bring about a change in the make up of the overall districts.  I am not defending gerry mandered here, but I want them to do what needs done without getting dragged into court so the taxpayers can pay another million or 2 in legal fees!

Comment by Michael "Mike" Yost on October 2, 2011 at 4:02pm

Pat,

One thing I do know is that there will be no Public Comment allowed at the Rules Committee hearing. That was relayed to me yesterday. Also there will be no Public Comment prior to the full Council Meeting when a vote is taken on the Proposed Districts that comes out of the Rules Committee. The ONLY time you will be able to make further comment is during the Open Comment session after the Council Meeting. That vote will probably be at the last October meeting of the full Council from all indications.

Comment by CJ on October 2, 2011 at 1:14pm

Bill that is awesome information! Below is what I received as an explaination to the process, and Mike seems to be on track in his observations, I also see they are not following local laws as you pointed out and often do not.

Bill I would be most grateful if you forwarded your research to the Council as I find it most informational and I for one find Council often picks and chooses what parts of Municipal Codes they care to adhere too and to me they should be held accountable to all of it, though they never ever are. 

 

Thank you for your email.

 

The special Reapportionment Committee appointed by Council President Webb (from January 1 – June 30, 2011) and the new Rules Committee appointed by Council President Joost (from July 1, 2011) – both of which I serve(ed) – have worked diligently on forging a redistricting plan using data from the 2010 Census.

 

Although I’m not sure “gerrymandering” would be the appropriate term to describe the proposed district map currently pending before the Rules Committee (the current district map is labeled Redistricting Map 09/22/2011 SE Compact w/Party), it certainly isn’t a map (that in my opinion) meets the definition of compact districts.  As you probably know, Florida voters approved two (2) amendments to the Florida Constitution last fall, both of which related to the redistricting process – requiring the Congressional districts and State House and State Senate districts be drawn in a compact and contiguous manner.  Unfortunately, the voter approved amendments do not apply to local governments.

 

For more information about the redistricting process and requirements, I am attaching a January 31, 2011, opinion (on the matter) issued by the city’s former General Counsel – Cindy Laquidara.  I am also enclosing the district map adopted following the 2000 Census and the current proposed district map pending before the Rules Committee.  There is also a proposed At-Large residency area map currently pending before the Rules Committee.  If you would to see the At-Large maps, let me know and I’ll pass those along as well.

 

In closing, please know that both the district and At-Large maps pending before the Rules Committee are likely to change.  Unless a substantial change is made to the currently proposed district map (such as making the districts more compact and contiguous while preserving neighborhoods of interest), it is unlikely that I will be able to vote for the same.

 

 

John R. Crescimbeni

City Councilman, At-Large, Group 2

Office of the City Council

City

Comment by Bill Lewis on October 2, 2011 at 12:10pm

I don't know why everyone keeps talking about amendments 5 & 6 when the Jacksonville City Charter already calls for LOGICAL and COMPACT Districts. http://library.municode.com/mobile/document.aspx?_url=http%3a%2f%2f...

Section 5.02. - Reapportionment of council districts and residence areas.

(a)Within 8 months after publication of each official federal census of the City of Jacksonville (Duval County), the council shall apportion the 14 council districts and 5 at-large residence areas so that all districts and at-large residence areas are as nearly equal in population and are arranged in a logical and compact geographic pattern to the extent possible. If the council shall be unable to complete the apportionment of the council districts within 8 months after the official publication of the census, the general counsel shall petition the circuit court for the fourth judicial circuit to make such apportionment. Any reapportionment of the council districts or at-large residence areas made pursuant to this section shall not affect any term of office in existence at the date of such reapportionment, but shall be applicable beginning with the next succeeding general consolidated government election which occurs at least 9 months after the effective date of the reapportionment.
(b)The council shall establish the initial 5 at-large residence areas according to the same considerations for reapportioning the existing council and school districts as are established in chapter 18 of the Ordinance Code. Establishment of the initial 5 at-large residence areas by the council shall be accomplished no later than 9 months prior to the opening of the qualifying period for candidates seeking election in the 1995 consolidated government elections. Subsequent reapportionment of the residence areas shall be accomplished in the same manner provided for in the Ordinance Code for the reapportionment of council and school board districts. The 5 council members elected countywide in the general consolidated government election occurring in 1995 and thereafter shall each qualify from 1 of the 5 residence areas.
(Ord. 90-765-354, § 6; Ord. 91-759-252, § 3; Ord. 91-1356-600, § 2; Laws of Fla., Ch. 92-341, § 1)
Editor's note—
For current reapportionment regulations, see Jacksonville Ordinance Code, Ch. 18

Comment by Patricia M. McBride on October 2, 2011 at 9:11am

CJ, here is the link:  http://www.fctpcommunity.org/events/redistricting-special-rules-com...

 

It just isn't up yet.  I thought it important to put what Mike said as many people don't realize the dems are voicing all these concerns, but apparently they are well aware Matt's map favors them (and althought we have a couple of dems who are stellar............I don't know in a position of advantage if they would remain as conservative as they have been..............look at what the moderates in congress did when they took control).  And I hate to say that, because I like these folks, but we can't afford big spenders any longer.  Yes, I am also pleased with Brown and his actions, but let's don't forget, everytime he talks about cutting things, he also talks about new things that will cost money and grow and blow out the seams of the budget and the only thing stopping him is the city council!

Comment by CJ on October 2, 2011 at 8:17am

Pat where did you post it? or is it just not up yet?

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