New York State Independent Redistricting Commission

Andrew
January 10, 2023
View File

John
January 10, 2023
View File

Susan
January 10, 2023
View File

Pat
January 9, 2023
I find it disgusting this commission wants to take neighborhoods with the history we have here in WNY and tear them apart. It’s not broken so why are you attempting to fix what needs no fixing. I am a leader with several organizations throughout WNY with a very large combined roster of voters that spread throughout WNY. I was tasked to write this initial statement as tonight is the last night to express our disgust with these foolish ideas. Expect emails or calls from many expressing the same anger we have towards you right now. WNY was built on neighborhoods, a cohesiveness similar to teams or units in the military . I served two decades for this country and I decided to settle down in my home town of Buffalo to raise my family on the same principles I was raised with . Tearing our neighborhoods apart is an act of aggression towards the foundation of generations of families. In conclusion expect a fight like you have never seen. My family came here from Ireland and brought the fight of the irish people with them . As a Proud United States Marine Ret and Irishman you will never forget my name and the fight we will bring to you to terminate this ridiculous idea.

Joseph
January 9, 2023
1. That Amherst is big enough of a Town to be its own district. 2. Amherst has nothing in common with the other rural towns being suggested. 3. It should not be Redistricting Joseph and Rose Mary Buscaglia

Connie Oswald
January 9, 2023
The new districting is supposed to keep towns whole--unless it's necessary to split them up. But in the new plan, Amherst would be split in two. Eggertsville and Snyder are two closely entwined neighborhoods. They are both in the Amherst Central School District, a small school district with only four schools. Yet Eggertsville and Snyder would now be in two different Assembly districts. Eggertsville would be in an Assembly district with North Amherst, which isn't as suburban as Eggertsville. Eggertsville would also be grouped with nearby neighborhoods in a different town. I would like to know why the commissioners made this choice.

JAMES
January 9, 2023
Dear Commissioners, I write to express my strong opposition to the Commission’s draft plan that would move Sutton Place, Roosevelt Island and other parts of the east side into Assembly District 36 in Queens. The draft proposal clearly violates several New York State Constitutional districting requirements. Specifically, the draft (1) is not contiguous and compact; (2) fails to consider pre-existing political subdivisions and communities of interest; and (3) defies citizens’ reasonable expectations of rational line-drawing. The various communities of interest on both sides of the East River face different issues regarding housing, tax policy, transportation, open space and other matters. The draft proposal would create practical difficulties in the provision of governmental services. Even the location of an Assembly District Office is complicated by this irrational two-borough district plan. I and my neighbors successfully beat back a similar proposal involving City Council districts this past summer. While the law and the process may be different, the essential concepts of good government and rational line-drawing remain the same. I strongly urge you to scrap the draft plan and not create a two-borough district. Respectfully, James Stern 36 Sutton Pl S Apt 16D NYC, NY 10022

Bakhodir
January 9, 2023
View File
Subject: Opposition to the State proposal for Redistricting Roosevelt Island To: Members of the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission Thank you for considering Roosevelt Island’s needs when determining the redistricting map for New York State’s Assembly. I strongly oppose the current proposal which removes Roosevelt Island from Manhattan’s District 76 and places it in Queens District 36. New York State’s redistricting rules require: Districts must consist of contiguous territory and shall be as compact in form as possible. Our Manhattan Island’s contiguous territory is Manhattan, not Queens. The proposed change to our district is sprawling, not compact. The commission must take into account the maintenance of existing districts, pre-existing political subdivisions, including counties, cities, towns, and communities of interest. Roosevelt Island is being severed from long established communities of interest. Our political subdivision is not being respected. The City Charter of New York City recognizes Roosevelt Island as a Manhattan community. The Constitution of New York State specifically provides two State legislators for each district, a Senator and an Assembly Member. Roosevelt Island, a Manhattan community, has a unique form of local governance. We are governed by an unelected, State appointed Public Benefit Corporation, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC). All of our local services are administered by RIOC, not by New York City. The Board of Directors for RIOC is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor of NY. Because of this unique relationship with the State of NY, in which our residents do not have a voting voice in their local government, 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. Furthermore: 1. Roosevelt Island belongs in the Borough of Manhattan. We are an isolated island situated in the middle of the East River. Our transportation links, used daily by our working population and school children, directly connect us to 63rd Street and 2nd Avenue, the next stop on the F train, and 60th Street and 2nd Avenue, a 3.5 minute ride by tram. Both stops are in District 76, our most contiguous point of connection to the mainland. 2. My children attend schools in Manhattan. Our Assembly Members have all had long, established relationships with our school district. We need to retain this Manhattan connection. 3. Most of our working population commute to Manhattan for employment every workday. Since our inception almost 50 years ago, Roosevelt Islanders have established enduring relationships with many Manhattan based communities of interest. Due to our proximity to the United Nations, we have a large immigrant and non-resident population who retain close ties with the United Nations. We have many UN officials, members of the diplomatic corps and their families living in our community. (Also, the living quarters for the staff of Cornell Weill Hospital, in District 76 are located on Roosevelt Island. Also, a significant portion of our population work at other nearby Manhattan hospitals). Thank you for taking our views into account. Sincerely, Bakhodir Burkhanov 575 Main Street Apt. 1110 New York, NY 10044

Fay
January 9, 2023
Opposition to the State proposal for Redistricting Roosevelt Island Members of the New York State Redistricting Commission, Thank you for considering Roosevelt Island's needs when determining the redistricting map for New York State's Assembly. I strongly oppose the current proposal which removes Roosevelt Island fromManhattan's District 76 and places it in Queens District 36.Roosevelt Island, a Manhattan Community,has a unique form of local governance. We are governed by an unelected,State appointed Public Benefit Corporation,the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC). All ofourlocalservies are administeredbyRIOC, not by New York City. Due to Roosevelt Island's unique relationship with the State of New York, in which our residents do not have a voting voice in their local government, it is imperative that we have the combined efforts of both Manhattan representatives,working together on our behalf. Many residents moved to Roosevelt Island because of its New York City address and Manhattan school district, 2M. Our children attend public and private schools in Manhattan, not Queens. Roosevelt Islanders have established relationships with many Manhattan based communities of interest. We have many UN officials,UN staff and their families living in our community due to our proximity to the United Nations. Today, area codes do not distinguish a neighborhood as it did in the past but in our history, the listing of Roosevelt Island's area code, 212 encouraged many families to move here. Fay Christian531 Main StreetNY, NY 10044 fachristian@gmail.com 212 759 9875

Patrick
January 9, 2023
TOWN OF CLARENCE Patrick Casilio Councilmember: Supervisor Peter DiCostanzo Robert A. Geiger Peter DiCostanzo J. Paul Shear Deputy Supervisor Daniel Michnik January 9, 2023 Dear Chairman Jenkins and Members of the New York Independent Redistricting Commission: As the Town Supervisors of Clarence and Newstead, both rural communities with similar agriculture, industry, and infrastructure interests, we are writing to express our concern of any redistricting proposal that would separate our respective towns into different Assembly Districts. Over the past decade, our communities have shared similar experiences in relation to shared service agreements, housing businesses serving both of our communities, protecting agriculture interests, and improving infrastructure initiatives. Our communities also have similar socio-economic demographics and are home to school districts that work cooperatively to advocate for the needs of students and families. The Town of Clarence, Town of Newstead, and Village of Akron are serviced by outstanding Volunteer Fire Services, and we collectively face the same challenges as engaging new enrollees for recruitment has become more and more difficult. We are unified in our efforts to keep our communities safe through these services. Our communities are truly an area of common interest and should be represented by one voice in the State Assembly. Through these issues and mutual experiences, we have relied heavily on having one Assembly representative at a time to assist, advocate, and deliver resources and has truly permitted us to work together with our State Assembly Official to handle our similar matters of concern. We respectfully submit to the Members of the New York Independent Redistricting Commission for the record, our shared testimony regarding the importance of keeping the Towns of Clarence and Newstead intact under the same Assembly Representative when redrawing district lines for the next 8 years. Your consideration is sincerely appreciated. Sincerely, Patrick Casilio Supervisor, Clarence

irene
January 9, 2023
Please do not redistrict Roosevelt Island's State Assembly from Manhattan to Queens. I have lived here for 45 years and we are best served by our current district.

John
January 9, 2023
Concerning the redistricting of Amherst, NY. Amherst is big enough of a Town to be its own district. Amherst has nothing in common with the other rural towns being suggested. I object to the proposed reditricting plan for Amherst NY.

Paul
January 9, 2023
Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen of the Commission, I am writing this letter to lend my support to the 150 Assembly district of which Chautauqua County as the county has been in the district an a whole county, not divided up into parts. For the last decade we have had the distinct pleasure of being represented by Andrew Goodell. Andy has always had the county in his mind as he was priviousley its top Executive. As the current County Executive, I cannot express my appreciation any more, for the work that myself and Assemblyman Goodell were able to do throughout the pandemic and continue to do with our many issues facing this fine county. When Andy first ran for the county was not entirely represented by Andy. This was not a major factor, but over the years the contiguous towns rely on consistent representation and many of the requests to the state government are shared by ALL towns and not select towns based on political maps. I would strongly urge the commission to support the position that has been taken that Chautquaqua County remains a complete county within the assembly district. Sincerely Paul M "PJ" Wendel Jr. Chautauqua County Executive

Louella
January 8, 2023
View File
please find my opposition to redistricting Roosevelt Island

Guenther
January 8, 2023
View File

Submissions

Public Comments Return to Archived Submissions Page