New York State Independent Redistricting Commission

Starlite
March 31, 2023
Roosevelt Island, is an island in the East River of New York City, and it is currently part of Manhattan's 76th district. It has always been part of Manhattan. There are several reasons why we should not be redistricted to Queens. Firstly, Roosevelt Island is physically connected to Manhattan and is not geographically a part of Queens. It makes more sense to keep the island within the jurisdiction of Manhattan because of its proximity and accessibility to the borough. Secondly, Roosevelt Island has a unique community and culture that differs from Queens. Its' residents have organized their own community resources and services that are specific to their island, such as the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation and the Roosevelt Island Historical Society. These organizations may have difficulty adapting to a new political jurisdiction. In addition, the Roosevelt Island Tram is a part of Manhattan, not Queens and if you look at the city charter you would understand the logistical nightmare that all of this would cause to the many families that live here. When we leave the island to go to school, work or shop it is in Manhattan we go, not Queens. Please also consider the integral funding that would be lost to Queens when needed for repairs. The City Council member representing Queens not understanding or knowing anything about the uniqueness of Roosevelt Island or its residents. Finally, the current configuration of the 76th district, which includes Roosevelt Island, has been in place for many years, and redistricting the island to Queens would require changes to be made to many other districts in the area. This could lead to confusion among voters and make it more difficult for them to engage with local politics. Overall, keeping Roosevelt Island in Manhattan's 76th district makes more sense geographically, culturally, and practically.

Laura
March 31, 2023
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Francoise
March 31, 2023
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Attention: New York State Independent Redistricting Commission, We support the new map of the 50th assembly district. Please keep the proposed lines intact in the second round of drafts. The new lines identify two new communities of interest, while two long standing communities of interest remain undisturbed: The Los Sures community and the Hasidic community of Williamsburg. These communities need a strong voice in our city and state as gentrification, displacement, and antisemitism rise. The new proposed AD50 map identifies our shoreline as a new community of interest. The coastal hamlets of Greenpoint and Williamsburg are in direct danger as a result of the climate crisis, experiencing unprecedented population growth and rampant over-development because of the 2005 rezoning. Wind vortices created by new towers, changes to the water table flow based on the amount of piles drilled into our coastline have created drastic wind changes and flooding. We are the fastest growing neighborhood in NYC. Our coastal neighborhoods desperately need many new issues addressed. The second community of interest identified in this map are seniors who are aging in place on fixed incomes. 1 in 5 seniors in Brooklyn lives in poverty. With the end of pandemic food aid, our seniors will be struggling with rent, healthcare, and food like never before. We must prioritize the care of our most vulnerable neighbors. 1.5 million New Yorkers will receive less in food benefits once the federal assistance program ends in March. Our neighbors will be starving. We must eradicate food insecurity for all New Yorkers, and the new district highlights this life changing issue. Title One schools in the proposed new district are facing severe cuts due to gentrification that need to be front and center. Children who live along our coast have noticed a decline in butterfly species in the past two years. Again, we ask you to approve the new lines proposed on 12.1.22; to create a resilient coast and a community where all residents can flourish and thrive; for the future of our city, state, and planet. All the best, The below signed residents of Greenpoint and Williamsburg organized by Françoise Olivas ******additional signatures attached

Francoise
March 31, 2023
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Attention: New York State Independent Redistricting Commission, We support the new map of the 50th assembly district. Please keep the proposed lines intact in the second round of drafts. The new lines identify two new communities of interest, while two long standing communities of interest remain undisturbed: The Los Sures community and the Hasidic community of Williamsburg. These communities need a strong voice in our city and state as gentrification, displacement, and antisemitism rise. The new proposed AD50 map identifies our shoreline as a new community of interest. The coastal hamlets of Greenpoint and Williamsburg are in direct danger as a result of the climate crisis, experiencing unprecedented population growth and rampant over-development because of the 2005 rezoning. Wind vortices created by new towers, changes to the water table flow based on the amount of piles drilled into our coastline have created drastic wind changes and flooding. We are the fastest growing neighborhood in NYC. Our coastal neighborhoods desperately need many new issues addressed. The second community of interest identified in this map are seniors who are aging in place on fixed incomes. 1 in 5 seniors in Brooklyn lives in poverty. With the end of pandemic food aid, our seniors will be struggling with rent, healthcare, and food like never before. We must prioritize the care of our most vulnerable neighbors. 1.5 million New Yorkers will receive less in food benefits once the federal assistance program ends in March. Our neighbors will be starving. We must eradicate food insecurity for all New Yorkers, and the new district highlights this life changing issue. Title One schools in the proposed new district are facing severe cuts due to gentrification that need to be front and center. Children who live along our coast have noticed a decline in butterfly species in the past two years. Again, we ask you to approve the new lines proposed on 12.1.22; to create a resilient coast and a community where all residents can flourish and thrive; for the future of our city, state, and planet. All the best, The below signed residents of Greenpoint and Williamsburg organized by Françoise Olivas

Susan
March 31, 2023
I am writing in opposition to the Draft Assembly Plan that displaces a portion of the 52nd Assembly District and attaches it the 44th Assembly District. A divisive distraction for the Carroll Gardens constituents who are concerned with interruptions of the Gowanus Canal Superfund's cleanup. There are necessary State brownfield cleanups all along the canal with set deadlines for consistent continuous sections following the underground coal tar's directions. The new district plan will cause confusion and the need for reexamining newer plans according to the added constituents needs. Since these dedicated. plans were proposed, agreed and budgeted upon 10 years ago, redistricting can misdirect the Superfund goals. These complex plans also include FEMA flood zone and it is necessary to maintain the Gowanus Canal corridor in one district. Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill are communities connected with similar heritages, artistic neighbors and small businesses dependent on local residences familiar with such local services. By dividing 52nd District, the quaint familiarities will change the community's history and destroy its landmarked areas.

Mukhayyo
March 31, 2023
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ubject: Opposition to the State proposal for Redistricting Roosevelt Island To: Members of the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission

Lisa
March 31, 2023
Please, please do not accept the proposed new boundaries for District 44. It makes no sense to split up the neighborhoods and constituents of Kensington and Windsor Terrace. At the very least, Green-Wood Cemetery should remain the western boundary. Thanks so much for considering!

Hoay
March 31, 2023
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I strongly oppose the proposal to remove Roosevelt Island from Manhattan District 76 to Queen District 36. May of our children in Roosevelt Island goes to school in District 2 Manhattan and our tramway that link residents from the island to Manhattan where the repairs, maintenance and improvement must be made by Manhattan authorities as it has no consequence to a Queen Assembly member.

Shannon
March 31, 2023
I am a constituent of the NYS Assembly 50th District and I support the proposed redistricting lines because they are based on population. Our elected officials are allowing tower after tower to go up and as result the amount of people that now live in Williamsburg and Greenpoint has boomed. It is important to create district lines that reflect population changes to ensure democracy and fair representation. Sincerely, Shannon Phipps

Kamila
March 31, 2023
Greenpoint is a part of Brooklyn not Queens. There is a Newtown Creep separating us from Queens. I have been living here for 20 years. This plan would make gentrification worst and raise our rents even higher. Is this assembly working for us working class or billioners? This is clearly meant to segregate billionaire investors who want to skyscraper the entire east river from the people who have less valuable property. I am against this is clearly meant to segregate billionaire investors who want to skyscraper the entire east river from the people who have less valuable property. Gets rid of that pesky Superfund site too! Just redistrict all your opposition and environmental problems away Greenpoint. Kamila L

Deborah
March 31, 2023
PLEASE stop this plan to shave off select border areas off of AD 44 - better known as Kensington and Windsor Terrace Brooklyn. What are the benefits and who benefits from this plan? Has anyone thought of the damage to the residents and homeowners in AD 44? We already have the Prospect Expressway dividing us! There were local meetings held and many of us came to testify as to why we are opposed. No one has provided any convincing arguments as to why these changes are useful. DO NOT CHANGE AD 44. We are a small, successful, cohesive, highly diverse neighborhood and we want to remain intact. We greatly appreciate our current AD representation as well! Thank you, Deborah Herdan RN, Kensington/Windsor Terrace Resident since 2010 and owner since 2015.

Ian
March 31, 2023
The fact that someone can vote for someone to represent them and then suddenly have the person they voted for no longer represent them not because they lost reelection, but because the government decided to change the map is unforgivable in a democratic society. The map should be the map period. There should be no changes to it. I understand populations change, but that is why they map should remain the same. The streets themselves haven't changed. Therefore the map shouldn't either. Changing political boundary maps is the highest form of voter disenfranchisement there is. It doesn't matter what party you belong to. It disenfranchises every single person because it renders their votes null and void. It is wrong to basically overrule the vote of the people by shifting a map around for anyone's so called benefit. Enough is enough. The people are sick and tired of this, Democrat, Republican, and Independent alike! Stop changing the maps! Leave them alone! Leave us alone! You wonder why people won't go out and vote? It's because when you change maps like this you literally make it so their votes don't count anymore. It brings chaos and upheaval to communities across the country and it's wrong. It needs to stop. This committee should be advocating for an end to map adjustments once and for all. Give us a ballot initiative to decide for ourselves if we want gerrymandering made illegal. I Gurantee it is the one thing most of us on all sides agree on that this needs to stop. I hope to see this published openly for all to see. If it's not that just goes to further prove the point that this entire operation is illegitimate in a democratic society. Geography hasn't changed and neither should these maps be changing yearly. It makes it so nobody is sure if their vote has counted or not because even if it is, it's just going to be ripped away or wiped out when the maps are changed again. Enough is enough. Stop the madness.

TIMOTHY
March 31, 2023
I may send maps later. The good news is that the mappers did use the hudson river as a boundary line up to ulster county, and was able to cut off districts south of NYC. My area in albany county is a mess though with albany not connecting with its county, there is room for it to connect with watervliet and maybe cohoes. It did not make sense with not getting all of bethlehem. Also the Colonie district does not make sense to go up over halfmoon as much.

Linda
March 31, 2023
To: Members of the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission The City Charter of New York City recognizes Roosevelt Island as a Manhattan community. I strongly oppose the proposal which removes Roosevelt Island from Manhattan’s District 76 and places it in Queens District 36. There are many reasons why Roosevelt Island should NOT become part of Queens. I'm sure you are aware of those reasons. Please do not ignore them. I will restate some reasons that are important to me. New York State’s redistricting rules require: The commission must take into account the maintenance of existing districts, pre-existing political subdivisions, including counties, cities, towns, and communities of interest. Political Representation: Roosevelt Island has long established relationships with our district 76 representatives who work with our NY State governing body, RIOC to protect residents' interests. Queens political representatives have no experience working with RIOC. It is imperative that we, a Manhattan community, have the combined efforts of both of our Manhattan based representatives, working together on our behalf, to provide us with responsive and fair dealing by RIOC. Transportation: Our tramway is operated by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) to link residents with Manhattan destinations. All maintenance, repairs, and capital improvements must be made by this state agency by connecting with mainstream Manhattan authorities. It is not part of the MTA system. Our tramway is a vital transportation link that is used each day by commuters in order to get to work, and by school children. It has no connection to Queens and is of no consequence to Queens political representatives. Roosevelt Island Residents' established ties with Manhattan Communities, Employment, Schools and Churches, (NOT places located in Queens!) We have many UN officials, UN staff, and their families living on Roosevelt Island due to our easy access and proximity to the United Nations. Housing specified for the staff of Manhattan's Weill Cornell Presbyterian Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering are located on Roosevelt Island. Additional RI residents commute to work at other Manhattan District 76 hospitals: Hospital for Special Surgery, Lenox Hill/Norwell Health and Mount Sinai. Many of our residents are actively engaged with religious institutions in Manhattan. Most RI workers commute to Manhattan for employment every workday. Please consider my statements and keep my home on Roosevelt Island part of Manhattan. Thank you, Linda Becker 531 Main Street, Apt 207 NY NY 10044

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