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Isaac Benton Gerrymandered Out of City Council

In today's Albuquerque Journal: http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2012/02/23/news/council-oks-map-cutt...

I hope people start paying attention to the actions of our city council - which I believe has become less representative of the city's political make-up over the past couple of years. I'm also hoping Democrats and progressives come up with some quality candidates for the new city council districts and for mayor (though that election is still 2 years out). Can't get organized soon enough...

From the article:

"...almost every one of the city’s federally designated “pockets of poverty” will now lie in one of nine council districts."

"Public testimony at the meeting was overwhelmingly against the plan that was eventually adopted. Many opponents were neighborhood leaders from older neighborhoods in the urban core.

Javier Benavidez, president of the Barelas Neighborhood Association, said the map amounts to “abandoning the neighborhoods that need the City Council the most.”

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Permalink Reply by Chris on July 3, 2012 at 11:10am

VICTORY HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

Thursday July 19, 2012

6:30 PM

Loma Linda Community Center

1700 Yale SE

REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE MEETING

Victory Hills Neighborhood Association Redistricting Committee is hosting a symposium

July 19, 2012 beginning at 6:30 PM. Guest speaker will be Councilman Isaac Benton who will explain and answer questions about his proposed charter amendment to increase the number of city council districts from 9 to 13. As stated in his press release (June 18, 2012) “The recent redistricting process and the resulting district map raised many concerns regarding dilution of voting strength, particularly among minorities. When we factor in continuing population growth, increasing the number of council districts to maintain adequate representation is a sound proposal for voters to consider.” The Albuquerque City Council will act upon this bill at their August 6, 2012 meeting and at that time public comments will be taken.

Victory Hills Neighborhood Association supported Map V during the redistricting process which recognized the University neighborhoods as a Community of Interest. We feel that by having our area split between three different council districts our representation may be compromised. It is our hope that by making sure everyone fully understands Councilman Benton’s proposed amendment will be able to present a united front at the August 6^th meeting. Please join us and forward this to anyone who might have an interest.

If you cannot be present at the August 6^th council meeting letters may be sent to all Albuquerque City Councilors at the following link http://www.cabq.gov/council/councilors/contact-all-councilors

Thank you

Chris Fairchild

Chair: Victory Hills Redistricting Committee

Councilman Benton is planning to host a couple more of these meetings in other areas so that questions about this can be answered. I put this one together because we were all real confused.

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Permalink Reply by RebLem on July 6, 2012 at 7:17am

It would really help if you gave us the address where this VHNA meeting is to take place, Chris.

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Permalink Reply by Chris on July 6, 2012 at 7:29am

Try looking at the top right hand side where it say Loma Linda Community Center 1700 Yale Se beginning at 6:30 PM and if any other groups would like to put a meeting like this together contact Isaac Bentons office.

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Permalink Reply by RebLem on July 6, 2012 at 8:35am

Sorry 'bout that.

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Permalink Reply by Hunter on July 9, 2012 at 10:59am

Will the new, proposed District map (Appendix B) be available for inspection at your July 19 Neighborhod Association meeting?

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Permalink Reply by Chris on July 9, 2012 at 11:22am

A draft of the new proposed District map will be there for comments. Maybe your area should contact Isaac's office and set up a meeting of your own. You seem very interested.

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Permalink Reply by Hunter on July 18, 2012 at 1:13pm

I see your July meeting has been cancelled. Does this mean the first opportunity for the public to see the "map" will be the same meeting the Resolution is presented to the Council for a vote? Why even bother to have Charter provisions that require a citizens commmittee with representation from all districts?

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Permalink Reply by Chris on July 18, 2012 at 1:44pm

The VHNA July 9th board meeting was cancelled. The July 19th Redistricting Committee Meeting will still be held tomorrow July 19, 2012 at Loma Linda Community Center beginning at 6:30 PM. Are you trying to put out misinformation or just not reading?

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Permalink Reply by Chris on July 18, 2012 at 2:21pm

Sorry Hunter I see where you picked that up from. I don't do the web page for Victory Hills Neighborhood Association and the person who does lives in a world of her own. I can see where the mistake was made. But the Redistricting Committee meeting is a go.

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Permalink Reply by neal copperman on November 28, 2012 at 3:27pm

So when does this redistricting take place?

Somehow I was figuring that it would all happen after this election and Ike would no longer be my representative, but now I'm starting to think maybe he'll be representing us until November 2013.

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Permalink Reply by Phil_0 on November 28, 2012 at 4:28pm

It has happened. However, as I understand it he remains the councilor for District 3 until the next election, when he will no longer be eligible to run for that seat

I've heard rumors that Benton is attempting to get appointed to Debbie O'Malley's old seat in Distrct 2 (where he now resides), allowing the mayor to appoint someone new for the new, west-side District 3. It would be interesting to see how that played out. This would have to happen before Debbie assumed her new County Commissioner job in early January.