As one of the 16 plaintiffs, this is my understanding of the current status of the redistricting issue:
Earlier this summer, the city asked the plaintiffs to propose our terms for an out-of-court settlement. We did so, submitting our proposal around the end of July. However, as far as I know, the city attorneys have not yet presented this proposal to the city council. This is apparently highly unusual, for attorneys to hold onto a settlement proposal for this length of time without presenting it to their clients. I don't know the specifics of any issues within Ward 8, but one of the Redistricting Commission's many failures from a public policy perspective was to draw the newly elected Ward 6 councilmember out of his own ward at a time when all councilmembers had over three years to serve in their current terms. This has created a great deal of uncertainty and confusion and was totally without justification. The racial packing that constitutes the proposed new Ward 5, the illegal shape of the proposed new Ward 3 and possibly other wards, and the end-run around the public hearing process conducted by the Redistricting Commission are about to backfire on those who manipulated and carried out the current Redistricting Plan. I predict that the city is soon going to conclude that they are fighting an unwinnable battle and that they are wasting scare city resources to do it. A court approved settlement of the lawsuit is then likely. This will require a new redistricting process to take place. Bruce Shoemaker Holland Neighborhood Still in Ward 3 > > Message: 15 > From: "Shawn Lewis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2003 05:42:18 -0500 > Subject: [Mpls] Need Update on Minneapolis Redistricting Issue > > I received a off list comment that CM Lilligren does > not have much interest in the 8th Ward > because of the redistricting issue. > > DOES ANY ONE HAVE ANY UPDATE ON THIS ISSUES? > IS THERE A NEW MAP OUT, YET? If not, why? > If so, why has the general public not seen it? > > YOUR ON-LINE COMMENTS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! > > THANK YOU! > > Other websites on this issue: > > Friends for redistricting evenly and equitably > http://www.freempls.org/lawsuit.php > > City of Minneapolis website on redistricting > http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/redistricting > > Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood > > REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
