Councilman Parks speaks on Proposed Redistricting Maps

Blogger's note: Councilman Bernard Parks speaks on the "junk yard affect" of the proposed redistricting maps on CD 8---Scott Johnson.

Dear Constituent,

For the past few weeks I have been discussing a very important city process that is going on right now called redistricting.

Every ten years, a citizen's commission is formed to draw a map of Los Angeles that divides the city into 15 districts of equal population. The residents that live within the boundaries of each district then nominate and elect one of thier own to serve as their representative on the Los Angeles City Council.

Unfortunately, the process is influenced by numerous special interests who seek maps that establish a political advantage for their particular candidate, party or group by manipulating geographic boundaries to create desired electoral results. This is called "gerrymandering" and you can read more about it on my blog. 
The Commission held numerous public hearings throughout the city and 95% of the public delivered the same message;  "I like my District; Keep it intact."
Unfortunately, the Commission did not listen to the public and has proposed a map that radically changes the Eighth District, and in my judgment, violates the City Charter requirement for districts that “keep neighborhoods and communities intact, utilize natural boundaries or street lines, and be geographically compact." 
The most egregious examples of this disregard for the public’s wishes and the Charter requirements are:
- Splitting up the historic Leimert Park neighborhood so that only the businesses and park remain in the Eighth District, while all the residences go to the Tenth district

- Splitting Baldwin Vista from the rest of Baldwin Hills and placing it in the Tenth District

- Taking the LAX-adjacent Westchester neighborhood from the 11th District and connecting it to the Eighth District through a narrow strip of land that’s only about a block wide.

If you're like the 95% who testified before the Commission who want their district left alone, and reject the Redistricting Commission’s treatment of the Eighth District as a  junkyard - taking parts they want and dumping parts they don’t - I urge you to let them know! 
On Saturday, February 11th at 11:00 AM, the Commission will hold a public hearing atWest Angeles Church – 3045 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016 – to hear feedback on their proposal. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to attend, and let’s send a loud and clear message that we want the Eighth District to remain intact!

Make sure you stay up to date with all the latest developments on my webpagewww.bernardparks.com or twitter @BernardCParks and on Facebook at Facebook.com/CouncilmemberParks and Facebook.com/BernardCParks. 
Thank you for your continued interest in the Great Eighth! 
Respectfully, 
BERNARD C. PARKS
Councilmember