Victoria council to name citizens advisory committee to assist with redistricting plans
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Victoria residents have the opportunity to play a major role in the anticipated re-mapping of city voting districts in time for the May 2012 election.
City staff recommended to the city council Tuesday that it appoint a citizens advisory committee to work with it on redistricting proposals.
John Kaminski, director of development services, said that although the city's consultant, Allison, Bass & Associates, has not completed its analysis of the city's districts, last week it informed the Victoria County Commissioners Court that it would need to redistrict.
"Our voting boundaries are exactly the same as the county within the city limits and 70 percent of the county population is within the city," Kaminski said. "Obviously, we're going to have to redistrict."
Kaminski gave council members an overview of redistricting, noting that no changes had been made in district boundaries since 1992.
The recommendation included appointment of a 15-member committee with the six council members appointing two from their districts and the mayor appointing three at-large members.
Once redistricting plans have been proposed, public hearings will be held to get input from other Victoria residents.
Kaminski said the citizens advisory group is recommended for several reasons.
"It demonstrates to the Department of Justice that the process was open and transparent," he said. "There are citizens involved, not just city council members drawing the line for themselves."
Council members are expected to make their nominations at the April 19 meeting and a committee appointed by May.
A final recommendation on redistricting needs to be approved by August so the consultant can submit the proposal for pre-clearance by September to the Department of Justice, Kaminski said.
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Hole-in-1.
I have an even better idea. Here is one example >>>>>>> http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/... .
April 7, 2011 at 10:30 p.m.I have a better idea, fatguy. Why don't you, Albert and BigJ all contact your city council reps and tell them that you would be interested in serving your community. If you are serious about it, I would suggest that not say things like "the only reason I'm doing this is because I don't want your cronies..." or "I'm sure you already made up your mind..." or "I know I don't have a snowball's chance in hell..." or "I hate you". Maybe you might get chosen.
Feel free to post a blog on how it went.
April 6, 2011 at 4:30 p.m.I bet the people are already decide..
April 6, 2011 at 10:14 a.m.So let's see..............to give this the appearance that the common citizen has had some input in the re-districting, and to demonstrate that the council members have not simply re-drawn thier own districts to favor themselves, they are going to appoint two citizens from each existing district to assist the process.
Seems to me each council member need only appoint two of his / her best buddies to be those "appointed" citizens and they still get the districts re-drawn however they want.
Why not just have two from each district drawn randomly and then ask if they want to serve in that capacity. If they say no then draw two more at random until you have a couple willing to do it but not necessarily at the whim of the sitting council member ?
April 6, 2011 at 9:38 a.m.It states in the story that the committee members will be chosen by each council member from their district (2 each) and three at-large by the mayor. The names will be announced at the April 19 council meeting.
April 6, 2011 at 7:23 a.m.give me names or is this another top secret....
April 6, 2011 at 7:20 a.m.Roberttx.
I bet you Most, if not all, are backers of Texas A&M Victoria scam.
April 6, 2011 at 6:39 a.m.what pool of people will staff this committee and how will they selected ?
April 6, 2011 at 12:41 a.m.