New York State Independent Redistricting Commission

Diana
January 21, 2022
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To: New York State Independent Redistricting Commission From: New Immigrant Community Empowerment Date: January 21, 2022 Subject: Concerns About Current Redistricting Plans Dear New York State Independent Redistricting Commission, I am writing to you today in my capacity as interim Executive Director of New Immigrant Community Empowerment, a nonprofit organization, based out of Jackson Heights in Queens, dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable and precarious immigrant workers in New York, with a focus on day laborers, domestic workers, and newly arrived immigrants. Our work revolves around providing an extensive set of services, community organizing and leadership development programs to the diverse immigrant community in and around Jackson Heights. I am writing to you to express concern about the redistricting of Jackson Heights and parts of Woodside, Queens from New York Congressional District 14. Our 15,000 rank-and-file members, and community leaders have felt amply represented by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and would like to continue to have a leader that can act as a champion for immigrant communities on a national scale. In addition to the Congresswoman’s longtime and continuing commitment to the fight for immigration reform, her staff has provided indispensable resources to educate our community on the political struggles happening every day throughout the country. Additionally, Team AOC has provided us with ample opportunities to strengthen our relationships and networks with organizations and elected officials not only in New York City, but throughout the country. Because of the above mentioned concerns, I, in representation of our diverse immigrant community, encourage the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission to take into consideration the fundamental role that Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has served our community both on a local and national level when deciding whether or not to approve the final redistricted map of NY-14. Thank you for your consideration and I hope that the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission will fight to maintain the democratic representation of our immigrant community in and near the Jackson Heights area. Sincerely, Diana Moreno Executive Director, New Immigrant Community Empowerment 71-29 Roosevelt Avenue, Jackson Heights NY 11372

Ian
January 21, 2022
I am a concerned citizen of Westchester County who feels strongly that the state’s next Congressional District map should not join portions of Westchester to the Bronx and Queens. I do not believe that a single Representative can adequately represent the diverse interests of three counties in a conglomeration of urban New York City and suburban Westchester as drawn in Plans A and B for District 14. I understand that the task of map drawing has been difficult for the Commission and continues to be, but I do not want the Commission to dilute any Westchester votes in this manner, and for the next ten years. This same request was expressed by most speakers who were asked about it at the White Plains public hearing. Thank you. Ian Swainson

Denise
January 20, 2022
Keep Mamaroneck and Larchmont together - we have many tri-municipal priorities and must stay together today and the future.

Erich
January 20, 2022
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Marciana
January 20, 2022
Do not split Larchmont and Mamaroneck!

Lisa
January 20, 2022
It is obvious that your partisan, two-map submission did not pass muster. PLEASE let your next -- and I believe final -- submission be ONE set of bipartisan maps. It would be awful if the IRC's inability (&/or unwillingness) to agree on one set of maps to be the reason why the state legislators would end up drawing their own voting districts!

Ryan
January 20, 2022
Dear IDC - Thank you for your service and the opportunity to message you. I write today to oppose New York State's proposed redistricting of the Town and Village of Mamaroneck. The split will create additional congressional representation making it more difficult for our collective voices and concerns to be properly heard. Thank you for your time. Ryan Martin

Pam
January 20, 2022
I am writing as a concerned resident of Westchester County, I urge you to rethink proposed district maps so that they maintain Westchester’s independent voice, that you not split it apart, nor dilute it by combining with surrounding areas of New York City. The City of New York is a unique urban center with an infrastructure of its own, like none other in the state, and a set of issues and concerns that are wholly distinct from suburban communities like Westchester. Linking the Bronx and Queens is particularly unfair and unacceptable because it divides communities in three counties, limiting the ability of residents in each part of the district to have an elected official who can effectively represent their own unique interests. This area has shared infrastructure and institutions, and both proposals would split our community into not two but three different Congressional Districts. Additionally, the proposed maps split both the Town of Mamaroneck and the Village of Mamaroneck into two Congressional Districts. Larchmont and parts of the Town and Village of Mamaroneck would be in a district with the Northeast Bronx and part of Queens, being split from the other Sound Shore Communities. This will dilute our voices and make it harder to get attention for the issues that matter specifically to our community, like flooding. Also, it makes it more difficult for local officials to interface with the federal government to meet the needs of the three municipalities. It could also create confusion among the residents of our community when seeking constituent services. The proposed maps also split the entire Sound Shore into two districts, making it difficult to advocate for important regional issues like flooding and Long Island Sound. I urge you to reassess the Congressional map and take action to ensure that Westchester County is not unduly divided.

Michael
January 20, 2022
Dear Members of the Independent Redistricting Commission and New York State Legislature: I am a concerned citizen of Westchester County who feels strongly that the state’s next Congressional District map should not join portions of Westchester to the Bronx and Queens. I do not believe that a single Representative can adequately represent the diverse interests of three counties in a conglomeration of urban New York City and suburban Westchester as drawn in Plans A and B for District 14. I understand that the task of map drawing has been difficult for the Commission and continues to be, but I do not want the Commission to dilute any Westchester votes in this manner, and for the next ten years. This same request was expressed by most speakers who were asked about it at the White Plains public hearing. Thank you. Michael Wollin, Westchester, NY resident and concerned citizen

Francisco
January 20, 2022
I write to express my opposition to the proposed congressional redistricting plan, which would split the Town of Mamaroneck and Village of Mamaroneck into separate congressional districts, hence separating communities with shared interests and longstanding shared representation. These communities have a long history of shared services and of working together to seek solutions to shared issues, including in the areas of sanitation, regional flooding, environmental challenges and others. Splitting congressional representation would create unnecessary challenges in engaging with the federal government, likely result in confusion from local constituencies, and possibly dilute attention from some critical issues. Thank you for your attention and consideration. Francisco Paret Larchmont, NY

Clara
January 19, 2022
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Christine
January 19, 2022
Dear Members of the Independent Redistricting Commission and New York State Legislature: I am a concerned citizen of Westchester County who feels strongly that the state’s next Congressional District map should not join portions of Westchester to the Bronx and Queens. I do not believe that a single Representative can adequately represent the diverse interests of three counties in a conglomeration of urban New York City and suburban Westchester as drawn in Plans A and B for District 14. I understand that the task of map drawing has been difficult for the Commission and continues to be, but I do not want the Commission to dilute any Westchester votes in this manner, and for the next ten years. This same request was expressed by most speakers who were asked about it at the White Plains public hearing. Thank you. Christine Weston Scarsdale, NY

erkyn
January 19, 2022
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Currently Columbia County is divided into 3 voting districts. As final redistricting plans are being made, please keep Columbia County whole. Dividing our County will dilute our representation and undermine our ability to advocate for our County’s needs. We are stronger and better together. Columbia County should be part of a contiguous Congressional district of adjoining Mid-Hudson Valley counties when redistricted. We are neither urban nor suburban – we belong as a unified Columbia County community with neighboring counties—Dutchess, Rensselare, Ulster and Greene. Please preserve Columbia County as a unified community of interest with our neighboring counties. We share similar agricultural, historic, artistic and economic challenges and opportunities with Dutchess, Ulster, Rensselaer, and Green Counties as part of a Mid-Hudson Valley Region. Dividing Columbia County or separating us from this region would impact the County’s ability to be fully represented. Erlyn Madonia Austerlitz Democratic Chair

Sharon
January 19, 2022
The planned redistricting of the Village of Mamaroneck and Larchmont as a tiny part of the a predominantly Bronx and Queens district, separate from the Town of Mamaroneck, the Sound Shore area and Westchester County, weaken the political, geographically,social and cultural voices of the residents, the larger community and the county of Westchester. Westchester County, which has one million residents, will be split into three districts, each of which will lose voice and power to advocate for its needs and wants.It will divide the Village of and Mamaroneck and Larchmont from the Town of Mamaroneck, creating managerial and political difficulties. It will divide the Sound Shore community which needs to be unified to advocate for ameliorating the severe environmental issues that face our area. Clearly, I am asking that you reject this unfair redistricting plan as poorly thought out, poorly planned politically, geographically, socially and culturally. Keep the VOMamaroneck and Larchmont together with the Town of Mamaroneck, the Sound Shore community and the County of Westchester. Thank you.

Mayra
January 19, 2022
Dear Members of the Independent Redistricting Commission and New York State Legislature: I am a concerned citizen of Scarsdale in Westchester County who feels strongly that the state’s next Congressional District map should not join portions of Westchester to the Bronx and Queens. I do not believe that a single Representative can adequately represent the diverse interests of three counties in a conglomeration of urban New York City and suburban Westchester as drawn in Plans A and B for District 14. Queens and Bronx residents are not served well by having them put together with Westchester. I realize that the task of map drawing has been difficult for the Commission and continues to be, but I do not want the Commission to dilute any Westchester, Bronx, or Queens votes in this manner, and for the next ten years. Thank you. Mayra

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