◼ Supes choose least radical district changes; board directs staff to make revisions - Warning, Paywall: Times Standard now wants to charge you if you view more than 5 articles a month online. Clicking this link will count as one.
A board-appointed committee introduced three plans Tuesday. The supervisors chose plan 2A, which includes Blue Lake moving into the 3rd District while leaving Fieldbrook and Glendale in the 5th; splitting the 1st and 4th districts down Harris Street; and moving the Tompkins Hill area to the 1st.◼ That Redistricting Work Plan in Full. - More at Lost Coast Outpost (and one we will be linking to more what with the Times Standard's paywall being erected.)
The plan also moves Weott into the 1st District, which Southern Humboldt residents at Tuesday's meeting opposed. The supervisors ultimately directed staff to create a plan with Weott back in the 2nd District....
The board also asked staff to draw up a plan that would incorporate the suggestions of McKinleyville resident and Security National employee Brian Mitchell, whose changes would keep the 1st and 4th District lines closer to what they are currently.
Mitchell suggested moving some precincts that had been put in the 4th District back into the 1st District. He said this would keep the city of Eureka's 4th Ward boundaries within one supervisorial district and reduces the number of residents who would have their elected county official change.
The board hopes to make a final decision at its Sept. 13 meeting in order to meet a Nov. 1 deadline. Copies of the maps will be placed at public libraries throughout the county to ensure residents who don't have Internet access can view them.
Smith said he is glad residents are starting to pay more attention to redistricting and hopes more input will come in before the lines are finalized.
”I was disappointed that we didn't have more input early on, but I think people didn't understand how critical these changes are,” he said.
◼ Local Redistricting Hearing Coming Up. Preview the Plans - nice set of maps and good coverage at Lost Coast Outpost
