Re-Districting Key Topic at League of Women Voter’s
“Coffee and Conversation”
By Stephen E. Lipken
Councilmen Barry Fertel and Jared Rice met with interested citizens at League of Women Voters (LWV) “Coffee and Conversation held at the New Rochelle Public Library (NRPL) Meeting Room on February 18.
“New Rochelle has a population of 72,000, divided into six districts with approximately 12,000 in each district,” Fertel stated. “City Council recently passed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Resolution with Forest City Residential Group to develop the Echo Bay area.
“The Armory will not be torn down and Forest City has allocated $100,000 to study economic development of the Beechwood area including re-location of City Yard.
Currently, trucks block the waterfront view,” Fertel noted.
Fertel mentioned other issues including David’s Island; “mega mansions” (oversized replacement homes in neighborhoods), prohibition of parking on North Avenue and Burling Lane during rush hour; proposed Iona College Dorm and bicycle lanes.
“Prior to 1993 Council members were elected at large,” Rice remarked. “Census numbers will affect re-districting. The City Council must re-draw lines to get one person-one vote and finish before the November 2011 elections.
“Hispanics feel under-represented and are the largest growing population in New Rochelle, “Rice continued. “We do not want to divide them (by district) but give them an opportunity to voice their opinion, respecting minority populations in a transparent way.”
LWV member Ina Aronow pointed out that the party in power often “plays around with districts. On our website, www.lwvny.org there is a wonderful picture of ‘gerrymandering.’”
Councilman Fertel averred that there would be adequate opportunity for public hearings before re-districting was finalized.
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