New York State Independent Redistricting Commission

Suzanne
November 14, 2021
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Tim
November 13, 2021
I am a resident of Port Chester and I am concerned about plans to split Rye town by breaking Rye Brook out of the Sound Shore district. Our villages share many common resources and priorities and it would make sense to have one representative accountable to our shared needs rather than dividing the town between two different representatives.

Lynne
November 13, 2021
My Name is Lynne Strong Shinozaki I am a 30 year resident of Roosevelt Island I am testifying before the Redistricting Commission on November 10th, 2021. Lines on a map Redistricting in New York State after the 2020 Census Choices must be made with grave seriousness these and what these changes represent for the individuals in the districts of change We are no talking just about the lines that will change... We must IMPLORE you to recognize That the PEOPLE who live within these lines... their lives will be affected by YOUR CHOICES Will you our Advisory Commission and State Legislators be RESPONSIBLE and ACCOUNTABLE to the people of this State? Will the lives of the people be better with new district lines a new voice representing them? Please use WISDOM as you move NEW YORK STATE forward into the future..... Please propel us forward to a more UNIFIED STATE OF NEW YORK I live in Congressional District 12 Assembly District 76 Senate District 29 I am PROUD to say each of our Elected Officials have served our District with Distinction and I am proud of all of them... I was horrified to see the plans for the redistricting of Congressional District 12 Not only do both plans dramatically reduced the size of the district but as a Constituent of the District it feels punitive and destructive to our district and the collaborative RELATIONSHIPS we have with in the district. We absolutely need our district to encompass Western Queens and Queens Community Boards 1 and 2 for us to remain whole and our transit issues, our services issues and our representation to remain supportive for the individuals that reside in Congressional District 12. Thank you

Wilma E.
November 13, 2021
I support the map submitted by "Unity". It keeps the Bedford-Stuyvesant Community intact which includes our businesses, churches, medical facilities that the residents over many decades determined to be needed and continues to support. Thank you for your consideration. Wilma E. Maynard, Lifelong resident and community activist.

Roger
November 12, 2021
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NY-08 My name is Roger Gendron and I am the President of the New Hamilton Beach Civic Association in Hamilton Beach. In New York’s 8th congressional district, the residents and businesses of Howard Beach and Hamilton Beach in southwest Queens form a “community of interest” with the Brooklyn neighborhoods, such as Canarsie and Mill Basin, located on the coast of Jamaica Bay. Rising sea levels due to climate change and the communities’ mentioned above are in close proximity to the Jamaica Bay which makes the entire area vulnerable to severe flooding. Consequently, these factors also create a common need for a very particular type of federal assistance: disaster relief and pre-disaster coastal storm risk mitigation. It is essential that we keep this “community of interest” intact so to ensure that the shared needs and concerns of all the stakeholders who live in our communities, which are all connected due to living and working near the shores of Jamaica Bay. remain a focus and a priority for our representative in Congress. For the reasons set forth above, I strongly urge the commission to keep the communities of the NY-08 together in a similar configuration to the current lines. Regards, Roger Gendron,

Joshua
November 12, 2021
I want to thank the commission for giving me the time to testify: My name is Joshua Lintz. I am a member of the Jewish community of Central Queens. Currently, under the current maps, our community is divided between the 27th Assembly District and the 25th Assembly District. The neighborhoods of Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest are divided. I am asking this commission to take into account the unification of Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest so that Jewish representation is not diluted in this redistricting process. When this commission redraws the Assembly district lines, please incorporate all neighborhoods mentioned into one assembly district. The aforementioned neighborhoods in the south should be connected with College Point, Northern Whitestone, and Le Havre Cooperative in the north. Currently, the Jewish Community in Central Queens is split between 4 state senate districts. It does not allow for any conformity to representation in the State Senate. Your drafts have created a central Queens and Eastern Queens plan that incorporates parts of Kew Gardens Hills being split up again in three districts. Again, we need to be in one State Senate district. We are asking when you redraw your drafts that Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest be drawn into a Central Queens district with the neighborhoods of Northern Forest Hills, Middle Village, Glendale, Maspeth, and Ridgewood. Also, Please consider the Eastern Queens map as well, where the neighborhoods I mentioned as a block be included with Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens, Little Neck Douglaston, Bayside, and Bay Terrace. Consider your guide eastward between the Long Island Expressway and the Grand Central Parkway to the County Line, before heading strictly north. Please make every effort to keep Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest together in both an Assembly District as well as one State Senate district.

Joseph
November 12, 2021
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To the Redistricting Commission: I am writing in my capacity as the Chief Creative Officer for Howard Hanna | Rand Realty, a real estate brokerage with about 20 offices in the Bronx, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley. I am also part-owner in the company, and have been for over 20 years. In full disclosure, I will also say that I am a Trustee in the Village of Nyack, where I have lived for the last 12 years. I am writing to support efforts to maintain the 17th Congressional District’s inclusion of sections of both Westchester and Rockland, particularly the rivertowns on both sides of the Hudson River. First, these are not two communities – they are one. As someone who has worked in the real estate brokerage business for over 20 years, with a major focus on this exact territory, I can tell you that this is really one unique community. The rivertowns share much in common: Hudson River access, architectural styles, political and cultural perspectives, and even property values. Although we are separated by a bridge, the actual distance between, say, Nyack and Tarrytown is only about 3 actual miles. And a significant percentage of people who live in Rockland commute to Westchester for work, either over the bridge or through one of the ferries that transport commuters every day. Second, these communities share many of the same public policy challenges. As someone who is politically active, I can attest to the fact that residents on both sides of the river share the same challenges, many of which require attention from our congressional representatives. Of course, Rockland and Westchester generally share many of the same public policy concerns: property taxes, high cost of living, availability of affordable housing, quality schools, etc. But unlike the “inland” towns of Rockland and Westchester, the rivertowns on both sides of the river share unique but aligned concerns, such as for the health of the Hudson River and the maintenance of the waterfront areas. Third, these communities provide necessary economic diversity. I believe it’s important for congressional representatives to cover municipalities that span multiple counties, because that gives them a more diverse perspective on their constituencies. For example, from a real estate perspective, someone who serves only the Westchester community will serve a much wealthier constituency: the current average sales price for single-family homes for the last full rolling year is $1,036,140 in Westchester, and $598,726 in Rockland. We need our congressional representative to be accountable to a wide range of constituents, not just service one narrow segment. Essentially, if Rockland were cut off from Westchester, both communities would suffer. I would hate to see that happen, and I respectfully but fervently request that you maintain the geographically diverse nature of the 17th Congressional District. My thanks to you for your service in this matter, and your courtesies.

Mindy
November 12, 2021
I want to thank the commission for giving me the time to testify: My name is Mindy Ginsberg. I am a member of the Jewish community of Central Queens. Currently, under the current maps, our community is divided between the 27th Assembly District and the 25th Assembly District. The neighborhoods of Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest are divided. I am asking this commission to take into account the unification of Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest so that Jewish representation is not diluted in this redistricting process. When this commission redraws the Assembly district lines, please incorporate all neighborhoods mentioned into one assembly district. The aforementioned neighborhoods in the south should be connected with College Point, Northern Whitestone, and Le Havre Cooperative in the north. Currently, the Jewish Community in Central Queens is split between 4 state senate districts. It does not allow for any conformity to representation in the State Senate. Your drafts have created a central Queens and Eastern Queens plan that incorporates parts of Kew Gardens Hills being split up again in three districts. Again, we need to be in one State Senate district. We are asking when you redraw your drafts that Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest be drawn into a Central Queens district with the neighborhoods of Northern Forest Hills, Middle Village, Glendale, Maspeth, and Ridgewood. Also, Please consider the Eastern Queens map as well, where the neighborhoods I mentioned as a block be included with Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens, Little Neck Douglaston, Bayside, and Bay Terrace. Consider your guide eastward between the Long Island Expressway and the Grand Central Parkway to the County Line, before heading strictly north. Please make every effort to keep Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest together in both an Assembly District as well as one State Senate district. You can read more about redistricting at https://www.queensjewishlink.com/index.php/local/20-community-corner/by-sergey-kadinsky/5359-redistricting-hearings-public-input-vital-in-deciding-district-lines

Kenn
November 11, 2021
WHEREAS, Ballot Proposal 1 - Redistricting, was soundly defeated Statewide on Nov 2 in the general election; I find it VERY disturbing that the redistricting commission continues in it's efforts to force a Congressional redistricting process in NY State. A majority of voters in this State have spoken clearly to this commission, and your responsibility is to those citizen voters, and them alone. Several County legislatures, including Allegany County (in which I reside), are being forced to adopt official resolutions in opposition of your proposed redistricting plans. WHEREAS the results of the Nov 2 general election pertaining to ballot proposal 1 - redistricting was a clear NO; WHEREAS I am a legal resident and tax paying citizen of Allegany County, NY; I hereby request and demand that this commission cease and desist all Congressional redistricting plans and submit an immediate recommendation to the New York State Legislature to leave all Congressional districts AS IS, UNCHANGED.

Shayna
November 11, 2021
I want to thank the commission for giving me the time to testify: My name is __ I am a member of the Jewish community of Central Queens. Currently, under the current maps, our community is divided between the 27th Assembly District and the 25th Assembly District. The neighborhoods of Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest are divided. I am asking this commission to take into account the unification of Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest so that Jewish representation is not diluted in this redistricting process. When this commission redraws the Assembly district lines, please incorporate all neighborhoods mentioned into one assembly district. The aforementioned neighborhoods in the south should be connected with College Point, Northern Whitestone, and Le Havre Cooperative in the north. Currently, the Jewish Community in Central Queens is split between 4 state senate districts. It does not allow for any conformity to representation in the State Senate. Your drafts have created a central Queens and Eastern Queens plan that incorporates parts of Kew Gardens Hills being split up again in three districts. Again, we need to be in one State Senate district. We are asking when you redraw your drafts that Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest be drawn into a Central Queens district with the neighborhoods of Northern Forest Hills, Middle Village, Glendale, Maspeth, and Ridgewood. Also, Please consider the Eastern Queens map as well, where the neighborhoods I mentioned as a block be included with Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens, Little Neck Douglaston, Bayside, and Bay Terrace. Consider your guide eastward between the Long Island Expressway and the Grand Central Parkway to the County Line, before heading strictly north. Please make every effort to keep Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest together in both an Assembly District as well as one State Senate district.

Shayna
November 11, 2021
I want to thank the commission for giving me the time to testify: My name is Shayna Porush I am a member of the Jewish community of Central Queens. Currently, under the current maps, our community is divided between the 27th Assembly District and the 25th Assembly District. The neighborhoods of Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest are divided. I am asking this commission to take into account the unification of Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest so that Jewish representation is not diluted in this redistricting process. When this commission redraws the Assembly district lines, please incorporate all neighborhoods mentioned into one assembly district. The aforementioned neighborhoods in the south should be connected with College Point, Northern Whitestone, and Le Havre Cooperative in the north. Currently, the Jewish Community in Central Queens is split between 4 state senate districts. It does not allow for any conformity to representation in the State Senate. Your drafts have created a central Queens and Eastern Queens plan that incorporates parts of Kew Gardens Hills being split up again in three districts. Again, we need to be in one State Senate district. We are asking when you redraw your drafts that Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest be drawn into a Central Queens district with the neighborhoods of Northern Forest Hills, Middle Village, Glendale, Maspeth, and Ridgewood. Also, Please consider the Eastern Queens map as well, where the neighborhoods I mentioned as a block be included with Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens, Little Neck Douglaston, Bayside, and Bay Terrace. Consider your guide eastward between the Long Island Expressway and the Grand Central Parkway to the County Line, before heading strictly north. Please make every effort to keep Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest together in both an Assembly District as well as one State Senate district.

Pesach
November 11, 2021
I want to thank the commission for giving me the time to testify: My name is Pesach Porush I am a member of the Jewish community of Central Queens. Currently, under the current maps, our community is divided between the 27th Assembly District and the 25th Assembly District. The neighborhoods of Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest are divided. I am asking this commission to take into account the unification of Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest so that Jewish representation is not diluted in this redistricting process. When this commission redraws the Assembly district lines, please incorporate all neighborhoods mentioned into one assembly district. The aforementioned neighborhoods in the south should be connected with College Point, Northern Whitestone, and Le Havre Cooperative in the north. Currently, the Jewish Community in Central Queens is split between 4 state senate districts. It does not allow for any conformity to representation in the State Senate. Your drafts have created a central Queens and Eastern Queens plan that incorporates parts of Kew Gardens Hills being split up again in three districts. Again, we need to be in one State Senate district. We are asking when you redraw your drafts that Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest be drawn into a Central Queens district with the neighborhoods of Northern Forest Hills, Middle Village, Glendale, Maspeth, and Ridgewood. Also, Please consider the Eastern Queens map as well, where the neighborhoods I mentioned as a block be included with Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens, Little Neck Douglaston, Bayside, and Bay Terrace. Consider your guide eastward between the Long Island Expressway and the Grand Central Parkway to the County Line, before heading strictly north. Please make every effort to keep Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, and Hillcrest together in both an Assembly District as well as one State Senate district.

Andrew
November 11, 2021
My name is Andrew Weiss and I am resident of the Upper I am submitting testimony to express my opposition to the proposed redistricting. The East Side is an easily identifiable, historical, social, and political entity. Particularly, for my community, this is an important voting block, and dividing it would take away some of our already diminishing voice in the political process. The East Side has many shared community facilities: subways and schools for instance. Environmental issues along the East River are a shared concern. Community Boards 3, 5, 6, and 8 are almost wholly in a single Congressional district and should remain that way. The current district is in line with NYPD police precincts largely, which run north/south and not east/west. The divisions between the east and west are real which is why the precincts are structured that way. It is my understanding that the current Congressional district on the East side, the 12th Congressional District has basically maintained it’s boundaries for over 40 years, people are familiar with it and know that their representative is familiar and understands their community and it’s concerns. As an example, the "NEVER AGAIN EDUCATION ACT", which our Congresswoman was the champion for. As I mentioned, the East Side of Manhattan has one of the largest Concentrations of Jews in the United States, and this community of interest should be kept in a single Congressional District. Lastly, the current Congressional lines are not drawn from some political gerrymandering, but drawn but the 2nd Circuit Court of appeals, by a Special Master, who is a redistricting expert, the lines as drawn in Manhattan make eminent sense and have for the last 40 years. I appreciate your consideration, Andrew "Andy" Weiss UES Resident

Christopher
November 11, 2021
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Christopher Bell 1020 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451 Dear Members of the Commission, I live in the Concourse neighborhood, adjacent to the Bronx Museum. Historically, the dividing lines for districts, including City Council, State Senate, and State Assembly, have cut through our neighborhood. Living here, I can attest to fact this the Concourse is a contiguous neighborhood, with its nexus on Joyce Kilmer Park, Borough Hall and Franz Siegel Park. Having lines cut through the middle of the neighborhood, in my view, leads to representation that puts our neighborhoods interests on the periphery. The northern dividing lines in latest draft of map resolves this issue for the 28th Senate District, but leaves it unresolved for the 72nd Assembly District. The 72nd AD northern dividing line is 164th Street, Grand Concourse, then 161st Street. That cleaves the neighborhood in 2, and leaves many of the parks that are centerpieces of the neighborhood outside of the Assemblyperson’s district. I would instead propose the northern boundary of 72nd Assembly District to be Jerome Avenue, 167th Street, and Morris Avenue, to keep the Concourse neighborhood continuous. Again, the proposed districts are a refreshing change from the previous illogical districts we saw in the south Bronx. Nonetheless, slightly adjusting the northern boundary of 72nd AD would be a welcome tweak to provide better representation to Concourse neighborhood. Best Regards, Christopher Bell

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