Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Redesigning our city of Philadelphia

Who would have thought redistricting would be such a pain. Actually we all knew that would happen. Every ten years after the Census comes and goes and soon after Philadelphia council needs to rethink or change the lines that make up their district. Luckily they don't have to make the decision alone. Residents are able to attend redistricting hearings to basically voice your opinion.

According to a Philly.com article, "Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sanchez, whose Seventh District corkscrews through Northeast Philadelphia and has become a poster child for gerrymandering, said she is pushing her colleagues to show the public a map before Sept 9. But, Majority Leader Marian B. Tasco said, there was no way to know yet if that will happen." And why is it a poster child for gerrymandering? Well if you live in the 7th council district and know the politics behind where Latinos live, you know that answer.

So again why is this important? The integrity of your political process is pretty much at stake. Don't you want your leaders who were elected to be based on merit, not because they gamed the system? The next redistricting hearing will take place August 31 at 5 p.m. at Esperanza Academy Charter High School (301 W. Hunting Park Ave.).

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