The Ballad of Irvington
Redistricting is always an interesting process. I enjoy looking at it from a political perspective, although it can freak some people out. I attended the last two hearings on the new proposed City-County Council maps and the one thing that stuck out was the handful of people protesting that the eastside neighborhood of Irvington was being split into three council districts. You would think the world was coming to an end the way things were going. Critics were complaining that Irvington can’t speak with one voice if it is split up. Once again, as much as I love democracy, sometimes the public can make the perfect case for an oligarchy.
First all, Irvington is already represented by two Councilors, Republican Ben Hunter and Democrat Mary Moriarty Adams. Although Hunter has about 95% of Irvington, I have never know Adams to not be responsive to the needs of her constituents. Secondly, and most importantly, Irvignton while may be split into three districts but the neighborhood isn’t being split into three parts. In fact, I would argue Irvington has more influence under the new maps than the old maps because now the neighborhood residents have three voices to represent their collective interests instead of one or two. How is that bad? And by the way, if you look at the current City-County Council maps, there are tons of neighborhoods and areas which are split up by District boundaries.
But back to Irvington, how is giving people more representation with their government and expanding their spheres of political influence a bad idea? It’s bad enough some Council Democrats are complaining about increased minority participation on the Council because the number of minority-majority districts has gone from four to six; or eight if you count the districts where minorities are 45% of the population. Now people are complaining about what amounts to more representation and more voices in their local government. It is never a dull moment in this town.
By the way, there are two more hearings scheduled over the new maps. One is Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Sterrett Center at 8950 Otis Avenue. The second is Thursday at the City-County Building in the Council chambers. It is also at 6 p.m.
Hope to see you there.
