Comment

Comment by Yvonne Ellett on March 9, 2012 at 12:20am

The issues with Redistricting don't have anything to do with us, as residents.  This is a war between those who are close to Villaraigosa and those who aren't.  It is obvious which side Bernard Parks has been relegated to.

Parks is using the resource he thinks is best -- his private consulting firm.  His consulting firm forgot to remind him the communities of Baldwin/Crenshaw/Leimert spoke volumes about being made whole, and instead drew a map that left those neighborhoods fractured.  I think Parks has been an amazing politician -- he's awesomely intelligent regarding this city, but, sadly the remainder of his term will be spent beating a drum about "losing Black votes" he, personally won't need anymore.  So, in the end, he's sounding no different than the other Council Members who are maneuvering to have friends and colleagues slip into their terms when their limits are up, too.

I've been following Redistricting a little less intensely once I realized it has nothing to do with me.  It has nothing to do with any of us...  For now.  I know I will be giving who ever my Councilmember ends up being a serious squint eye before he or she gets my future vote.

Comment by Mel Taylor on March 5, 2012 at 3:07pm

Even Karen Bass is upset about how "they" (our government officials) are redrawing the 33rd Congressional District lines.  Now to see how this ripple effect is now front and center in the city, makes one wonder about a hidden agenda.  Knowing that turf wars is something we hear about when it comes to gangs, but here we are at the higher level of politics seeing this drama play out,  It is an issue that goes deeper than clout and funding for city allocations, it has a tinge of racial overtones attached.  Leaving the lines as is would be a good thing so that we can benefit from the stagnated progress made so far.  Now to see this progress undermined in this climate of budget slashing, the timing couldn't be worst.  This should be re-addressed in a time frame that is more lucrative for the communities served.. Bitting such a bitter pill as this will further divide the 8th District into deeper financial disarray and dismemberment.  We as a community should also be pissed.