REMAPPING THE CITY - Redistricting Los Angeles is not a very sexy subject around our favorite SoCal city. Not if you measure its appeal by the light attendance to date at the hearings hosted by the LA Redistricting Commission. Or, for that matter, by LA’s Neighborhood Councils who’ve been mostly silent on the subject.
Which is not to say that no one has been energized. The Daily News’ Rick Orlov reported Sunday (link) that the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association is pushing for six completely Valley-based council districts.
“In its recommendation to the Los Angles Citizens Redistricting Commission, the association - one of the more powerful in the city - is asking that it no longer be divided between Council District 2 and 5 (Paul Krekorian and Paul Koretz).
“It also believes that the San Fernando Valley, with 38 percent of the total city population, should have six completely Valley-based districts, with only a small portion of the East Valley included in a crossover district.
“Bob Anderson, chair of SOHA's redistricting committee, said it fought hard to have Sherman Oaks included in one district for state and federal representation and wants the same for the city.
“The group submitted its own map, which would have Sherman Oaks included in the 5th Council District and move the 2nd Council District north and east.”
Some feel it’s ironic that the Homeowner Associations are taking the lead in protecting neighborhoods in the redistricting effort where Neighborhood Councils have been mostly absent from the process.
Some individuals from NCs have made themselves heard at some hearings but there have, to date, been no resolutions, proposals or plans offered by Councils. Again, ironic, since Neighborhood Councils were created to be the voice of LA’s neighborhoods and to represent their stakeholders at the City table.
There is still time for LA’s citizenry to be heard. The Redistricting Hearings run through January 10 and another series of Pre-Final Map Hearing is slated for January 29-February 11.
Here are the Commission Timelines:
LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL
REDISTRICTING COMMISSION
2011-12 WORKING TIMELINE
Opening of Commission Office Nov. 21, 2011
Pre-Draft Map Public Hearings Dec. 5 to Jan. 10, 2011
Adoption of Commission’s Guiding Principles Jan. 11, 2012
Commission Tour of the City of Los Angeles Jan. 14, 2012
Group Presentations to Commission Van Nuys - Jan. 17, 2012
Downtown - Jan. 18, 2012
Presentation and Adoption of
Draft Council District Boundaries Map Jan. 25, 2012
Pre-Final Map Public Hearings Jan. 29 to Feb. 11, 2012
Presentation and Adoption of
Final Council District Boundaries Map Feb. 22, 2012
Presentation and Adoption of
Final Commission Report Feb. 29, 2012
Final Commission Report Submitted to City Council Mar. 1, 2012
Commission Presentation on Final Report to
City Council’s Rules and Elections Committee Mar. 16, 2012
Closing of Commission Office Mar. 31, 2012
Here is the link to the Redistricting Commission site.
The new districting and the new mapping will affect you. It’s not too late to become involved.
(Ken Draper is the editor of CityWatch. He can be reached at [email protected]) -cw
Tags: Los Angeles, Redistricting, LA Redistricting, Los Angeles Citizens Redistricting Commission, Neighborhood Councils, City Council, City Council Districts, SOHA, Sherman Oaks Homeowner’s Association, San Fernando Valley, Paul Krekorian, Paul Koretz
CityWatch
Vol 10 Issue 2
Pub: Jan 6, 2012
