I have been thinking about this redistricting and subsequent effort by Rep. Kahn for some months now, and have been hesitant to post on it in emotional haste.
My position on this subject (just in case you all care to know so much about me :)) is further complicated by my role with the Minneapolis Republican Committee AND my being a neighbor to, and constituent of, the very nice guy, CM Dean Zimmermann. Anyhow, after extensive mental chewing, I have come up with the following question which I think is pivotal: For those of us who have been redistricted into new wards, are we in a position of being without representation? That is to say, are our "current" representatives more interested in ingratiating themselves with their "future" constituents, to the detriment of those who have been carved out? The above scenario was my fear, and the basis for my *initial* outrage at the prospect of having to wait until 2005 to gain "real" representation. This is something that deserves serious analysis... but having brought up the fear, let me now make an argument against it in my own situation. Dean Zimmermann has most definitely NOT abandoned the 6th ward folk for his potential 9th ward voters, should he chose to run again in his new ward. (Where I will be too.) In fact, I would more easily see Zimmermann moving in order to stay with the bulk of his constituents in 6 than pandering to a new and different group in 9. (But I'm just guessing. Dean can tell us one way or the other.) Further, I can tell you for sure that Schiff is NOT trying to woo my little corner of the new 9th. Quite the opposite in fact, if you consider his involvement with the shelter advisory board and how the 1/4 mile spacing rule affects those of us over here on Franklin. Schiff is not going to get ANY votes over in my precinct due to that, and he doesn't seem worried. On the other side, I did get an email from CM Lilligren immediately after the lines were drawn (he didn't notice that I was ousted from 6) asking me what I thought about him being moved into 6. The implication was not that he was unhappy with it, rather that he thought he could start cultivating a base right away. So, I would put the following question to those of you who are straddling the old ward and the new: how, if at all, has your representation or access to your CM changed? If it hasn't, then I don't see a problem with waiting until 2005. If, however, the person you voted in has now abandoned you for the future guy, then we have a serious problem. Eager to hear peoples' experiences, Connie Nompelis Ventura Village DC, MRC __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/ TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
