Comment

Comment by Patricia M. McBride on October 2, 2011 at 7:58am

I posted the special rules committee meeting, and Mike, I have taken the liberty of making the information in your last comment part of the body of the announcement/event. 

Comment by CJ on October 2, 2011 at 6:29am

There was more opposition to the Schellenberg map than one person, the four African American reps each stood up during the budget hearing and voiced their immense dislike for the map and you will see it if you view the video for the last 1/2 hour or so of the budget meeting.

Call me crazy but I couldnt care less if another democratic seat was gained if it meant equal representation for every body in this City rather than the same segregated garbage we have been living with since the beginning of time but most notably the 50's and 60's, etc.

It is a fact whatever platform is the most motivating for the city, state and country that is the one that will win regardless of affiliation. Hence why we now have democratic mayor. I believe the city's registered voters were motivated to get to the poles because of everything Brown represented and opined over not just because he was a Dem. or because he was black.

Im not sure what the construction of our local Gov't will be in a years time or what will come about because of that construction but I am way past impressed in what Mayor Brown has brought to the table so far. 

7 and 7, 6 and 8, whatever, may the best person win by the content of their character over the color of their skin or the party affiliation. I for one want out of the same old same old demographic rut.

More so, if we could some how down size the amount of City Rep's, I think so much the better. Population has routinely gone down from over 1 million to less than 800,000. So maybe that is something that can be worked on because I  just dont think we need 14 district or 5 at large rep's any more!

We want a smaller Gov't that would be an excellent place to implement the idea.

In closing it is proven by the population of the Tea Party that party affiliation and race have no bearing on the goals we all want, seek, deserve and fight for. 

 

Comment by DURWIN WALTER DAVIS on October 1, 2011 at 10:17pm

New committee meeting of redistricting set for 10.06.2011@ 1800; St.James Place (city hall).  Pay attention to plan "D".

Comment by Michael "Mike" Yost on October 1, 2011 at 4:50pm

I had an opportunity today to inspect both proposed maps for the City Council redistricting. Also, there was another map showing each precinct and the election results from the 2010 Mayoral race as well as a map showing voting results accumulated over 10 years. When do an overlay of the 2 proposed maps with the voting block results, you end up with the following results:

 

1. Under the Schellenberg map, you would end up with a City Council that composed 7 Democrat Districts and 7 Republican Districts. There are only 3 minority-majority Districts. That results in retrogression of the current minority-majority Districts. (The At-Large seats are not affected since they are city wide voting)

 

2. Under the Original Committee map, there are 4 minority-majority seats preserved and there are 6 Democrat Districts and 8 Republican Districts. Minority Districts are preserved as far an numbers and no retrogression has occurred. (At-Large seats are still unaffected with either map)

 

Now, what I found most interesting is that there has been little Democrat "opposition" or verbal assault on the Schellenberg Map. From all indications, only ONE Democrat on City Council has voiced any opposition, and few Democrats are voicing opposition to that map. So I wondered even more as to why that was the case. Well, obviously, Democrats stand every chance to pick up another City Council Seat, even though it would be retrogressive in nature.

 

So I made a phone call to a well trusted Democrat that I knew would give me the entire reasoning. Their comment astounded me. "We are MORE than happy to NOT speak up, since we are allowing the Tea Party to carry the water on the Schellenberg map FOR US". That way, to paraphrase, we get another seat, will most like face court challenges, OR it will NO map will get voted on- or split- and then the Courts will draw the maps.

 

THEN, there was indication that they believed that the Court would draw something close to the Schellenberg map that WOULD give them the 7-7 split AND also the preservation of the 4 minority access Districts. So they were MORE than happy to allow the Tea Party to throw this into limbo and create a fight that WOULD benefit the Democrats in 2 Districts.

 

I am aware that the big push is for Compact Districts. That DOES seem like a "good idea", however, it is a fact that there are several reasons for District shapes as they are drawn. Some are political, others are racial, and others are geographical. Sometimes, the objective desired with one criteria will skew things to another.

 

I am NOT taking sides one way or the other, but ONLY relaying information as it was presented.

Comment by CJ on September 30, 2011 at 5:05pm

Breaking news !!

FROM:          Honorable Bill Bishop, Chair

                    Rules Committee

 

RE:               Special Rules Comm Meeting on Ord 2011-554, 10-6-11

 

 

Notice is hereby given that the Honorable Bill Bishop, Chair of the Rules Committee, is calling a Special Rules Committee Meeting and will meet with the Committee members regarding the legislation listed below to be held on October 6, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. in the Council Chamber, 1^st Floor of City Hall, 117 W. Duval St, Jacksonville, Florida.

 

2011-554      ORD to Adopt & Enact Reapportionmt Plan re Jax City Council Dists & Residence Areas & Designating the Duval County School Bd Dists following the 2010 Census of the City as Required by Secs 5.02 (Reapportionmt of Council Districts and Residence Areas) & 13.03 (Apportionmt of School Bd Dists), City Charter; Amend Charter to Attach New Boundary Descriptions & Designate the 7 School Bd Dists.

 

All interested parties are encouraged to attend. Please mark your calendars accordingly.

 

Comment by Patricia M. McBride on September 29, 2011 at 4:24pm

Jean, I would say you are a prince, but you are a lady.  Thank you so much for calling.  I think we must all do our part and continue to stay on these folks.  I don't know how you can make a point loud and strong enough to let them know they are hurting the very people they profess to be helping (very democratic party though).  And excuse me as I know we have democrats who are tea party folks, but you can't keep people on the plantation well past time and perpetuate racism and then, try to blame that same racism on the white population!   It just doesn't work that way; you are either part of the solution or part of the problem................and heaven know we have problems in many communites that need a joint effort from both blacks and whites because they are not a black or white issue they are an issue period!

Comment by John H. Libby on September 29, 2011 at 4:21pm

I am headed to City Hall for the meeting.  I hope to see many there supporting Matt Schellenberg's plan.  If the City is going to get sued, regardless of which plan is adopted, lets get sued over a good plan that might end this practice of packing minorities into districts and dividing or neighborhoods and communities.

Comment by Patricia M. McBride on September 29, 2011 at 2:21pm

John, I have already written and told them how I feel and cna't be out of the house another night this week as I have been out 2 nights in a row already.  When I can't go and sometimes even when I do go, I write and send all the council my opinion and wishes............don't know that it does much good, anymore than speaking about things does, but I do remain an active participant in the city government.  I am not the problem.  The problem lies in those who do not support racially and politically divided districts and do not write or go!

Comment by John H. Libby on September 29, 2011 at 2:13pm

A reminder.  Tonight at City Hall at 6 PM let them hear your opinion.  Public hearing will be in the Council Chambers.

Comment by Patricia M. McBride on September 29, 2011 at 2:01pm

CJ, great letter as usual.  If only they get enough letters from enough people to make a difference, but I fear not since this is more politics and about districts and race than about what is best for the city.  As I said in my letter, it is sad.  Shame on all of them if they do what I think they will as there are just not that many foolish or gullible people (black or white) in this city not to see what this is all about.  As far as Ms. Lee goes (and wow on her very smart looking new hair cut) may be talking to folks in the community, but if it was truly important to them how the redistrict went, where are they???   My bet is they feel like all the white people do as well, and therefore, they have not shown up to support gerrymandering.  The new compact districts law did not pass without black support!

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