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Redistricting finally settledBy MaryHelen Swanson During the regular daytime meeting, a public hearing was held. It was fairly well attended. A very civil public voice was heard as suggestions were given to re-number the districts, re-consider the population numbers (although they were the ones provided by the 2000 census) and remember that there will be considerable growth in certain parts of the county over the next 10 years. Many of the public speakers favored Option D,one of the two chosen by the commissioners earlier, although not unanimously. Don Waller said, Option D was more compact, and you can easily understand where the lines are. Waller, responding to this comment, said splitting the city might actually tie the county together better. Russ Goudge, of Wyoming, suggested that the chosen plan might be best if urban areas are attached to less urban areas in each district. That way the commissioner would represent all of the county. Itís a healthy thing, he said. Rick Olseen, of North Branch, asked if the city (North Branch) has to approve of a split. He noted that Chisago Lakes Township has had two districts and two commissioners for many years. Responding to a question from the audience, Chairman Vande Kamp said the commissioners in odd numbered districts have a two-year term and even a four-year term. No matter what is decided, he said, the even numbered districts are up for election. Near the end of the discussion, Vande Kamp reminded everyone the plan calls for equal representation. Boundaries are the issue, he said. He favored Option C because it meets the criteria and changes the boundaries the least. Commissioner Tom Delaney disagreed and later said he didnít think Option C would stand up in court. He favored an option E which he said had a little bit of everything for everybody. Because Commissioner Bob Gustafson was absent from the meeting, Commissioner Montzka suggested waiting for a decision until he was present. At this point, Chairman Vande Kamp recessed the meeting to 7:30 that night, when Montzkaís new proposal could be developed into a map and when Commissioner Gustafson would be present. The night session Commissioner Montzka said in between the two sessions, he had discussed his ìD modifiedî map with County Attorney Ted Alliegro, who said the plan may not be the best representation of the ëone person, one voteí philosophy due to the differences in population counts. Commissioner Gustafson, who was not present for the morning meeting, asked why there should be further discussion of the possible options. ìWeíve gone through this that C was our best one that fit and D was the second best,î he said. ìWhatís changed when we spent all the time working and we donít have to change boundaries if itís legal.î Commissioner Vande Kamp told him further discussion was warranted because of concerns raised during the public hearing. ìWe had people expressing concerns, so itís in our best interest to take their recommendations under advisement,î he said. Commissioner Delaney shared a memo with the board that said he was not pleased with the redistricting process before the morning meeting, saying a ìjuvenile mannerî was used to arrive at the final three options. It also said option C would be most beneficial for commissioners Vande Kamp and Gustafson, who would not have to run for re-election in their new districts. ìAs far as not having to run I could care less, I just want to go with what is most legal and compact,î Gustafson said. Option C for redistricting was approved in the end by a 4-1 vote, with Delaney casting the only dissenting vote. ©ECM Post Review |