Submissions

Public Comments Return to Archived Submissions Page

• Isha
  February 28, 2023
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  As currently proposed this district by design will have multiple split Towns and school districts. That is inevitable based on the population of the area. Therefore, we are informing the committee that there are some changes we would like to see, to ensure that communities that share common interests, even if they don't always share the same local government or school district. In the Senate Districts Drawn by the Special Master, this fact of life is acknowledged. West & North Babylon and West & North Bay Shore share more common interests with each other than either is to any of the EDs down by the water, even within their own respective Towns and incorporated Villages. The reverse is also true. That applies to incomes, race, places of worship and where folks gather for community events.
  
• Hillary
  February 28, 2023
  I’ve lived in Windsor Terrace for over 20 years and write to oppose the proposed redrawing of Assembly District #44, which would result in the breaking up of Windsor Terrace & Kensington into different AD's. The proposed map would cut off parts of WT and assign them to A.D. 51, which is Red Hook & Sunset Park. It's irrational to section off a piece of WT, and assign it to an AD on the other side of Green-wood Cemetery. The decision to put part of WT and Kensington into different ADs makes both ADs less compact and contiguous and divides two long-established and discrete communities with common interests, demographics and history of civic activism. In Brooklyn the AD is the smallest unit of government and traditionally the most responsive to local needs. Historically the two cohesive and well defined neighborhoods of Kensington and WT have been in the same AD. Green-wood Cemetery, not the Prospect Expressway, should be the boundary between the 44th AD and 51st AD, thereby keeping. Windsor Terrace and Kensington intact. This is a shift of just a few blocks but makes much more sense geographically. The goal of redrawing the Districts should be to keep neighborhoods intact, not splinter them into pieces and reassign residents to a different neighborhood with different characteristics, issues and needs. . Under the proposal, the parts of Kensington and WT cut out of the 44th AD will be just an afterthought in the 51st AD. The 51st AD contains the whole thriving neighborhood of Sunset Park, and that neighborhood dominates that district. The inevitable result of the plan is that the few blocks of WT and Kensington attached to the large area of Sunset Park will be underserved. The proposed plan also dilutes the ability of important neighborhood institutions to advocate for their constituents. The area of WT that would be splintered off is an integral part of the neighborhood, built at the same time as the rest of the neighborhood and generally similar (red brick houses with front yards and porches, etc.). The residents shop at the same stores as the rest of WT. go to the same restaurants, use the same houses of worship and the same schools. They use the F and G trains. People in Sunset Park and Red Hook, who live on the other side of the Cemetery from WT, shop at different stores than WT residents, use different houses of worship and different schools. Multiple local elementary schools and places of worship will see their catchment areas, now in the 44th AD, divided between the 44th and the 51st AD. Residents of the 51st AD commute on the R and N, not the F and G. Their neighborhood identity is based on their different geography [highways, waterfront] and other local characteristics. Their local issues are different, although of course equally important. In addition, the WT residents who would be made part of A.D. 51 would find themselves disadvantaged politically. They would be relatively few in number compared to the rest of the District. Their ability to make their local needs heard would be quite diluted compared to the more numerous residents of Sunset Park and Red Hook.The WT residents who would remain in A.D. 44 would also be affected. The proposed redrawing would reduce the number of WT residents by sending many of our neighbors to A.D. 51, thus diluting the voices of WT. residents. It would make it more difficult to mobilize support for local issues that affect the neighborhood. I urge you to rethink this proposal. The proposed redrawing would arbitrarily section off an integral part of the WT, and hurt the ability of its residents to organize around local issues. Thank you for considering this objection. Hillary Weisman
  
• Marty
  February 28, 2023
  My name is Marty Algaze, and I have lived on the Upper West Side for 50 years. For decades, the Upper West and Hell's Kitchen neighborhoods have worked together to advance their shared interests and values. Both areas share public transportation, schools, parks and social service organizations, which diligently serve and build community among residents of all ages from the West 90s to the West 40s. For as long as I can remember, the 67 Assembly district has represented the heart of the West Side community. The current 67 Assembly district consistently has one of the highest voter turnouts in New York City and State, which is a testament to our community's like-minded values and interests. This Commission is constitutionally required to keep communities of interest together. However, its draft proposal of the 67 Assembly district does just the opposite. I urge the Commission to keep the current lines of the 67 Assembly district.
  
• Roberto
  February 28, 2023
  As a resident of the City of Yonkers, I write in support of the current drafting plan that would move most of the Armour Villa, Cedar Knolls, and Colonial Heights neighborhoods into the 88th Assembly District and preserve most of the City in the 90th Assembly District. As the City of Yonkers has grown in size, the representative needs of these neighborhoods would be better served by somebody whose district is reflective of homogenous communities which are contained in these neighborhoods rather than crafting a heterogenous legislative district whose interests and needs are fundamentally at odds with the legislative and policy needs in New York State's third-largest City. The sharp and increasingly divergent views on issues such as zoning would effectively undermine the ability of one lawmaker to dutifully represent all of these communities. Such a map would be consistent with the VRA's outlined goals and those heralded by New York State in its redistricting initiatives. I thank the NYIRC for its commitment to ensuring all stakeholders can be part of our larger democratic process.
  
• Edward
  February 28, 2023
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• Debra
  February 28, 2023
  My name is Debra Cooper, and I have lived on the Upper West Side for 45 very happy years. I am the State Committee Member for the 67 Assembly District. And I have been for the last 17 years.  It is the upper west side of Manhattan and when I have introduced myself in other parts of the country in that capacity people really understand the significance of this neighborhood.  The proposed draft lines for the 67 Assembly District divide communities of interest. One of my main concerns is the Commission's decision to divide the 67 Assembly District at 86 Street. For more than 30 years, the 67 Assembly district has included a majority of the West 80s and 90s. The interests and like-minded constituencies of the Upper West Side extend above West 86 Street. Those living in that area have similar demographics, as well as share social service agencies, synagogues, public transportation and parks.  Those in the 67 Assembly district vote in record numbers. Further splintering the West Side in the West 80s and 90s would dilute our community's ability to organize and advocate for our shared goals.  This Commission is responsible for protecting communities of interest. As such, it must reject its draft proposal of the 67 Assembly district. The current lines of the 67 Assembly district are far more representative of the community and should be kept in place. 
  
• Joan
  February 28, 2023
  The towns of Clarkstown and Haverstraw have an identity within Rockland County. Rockland is the smallest geographical County in NY outside the five boroughs and Clarkstown and Haverstraw should be kept within a Rockland Assembly district that is substantially similar to the core of the existing district. 7. Linking the villages of Nyack and South Nyack with Upper Nyack and the rest of the 96th district is the best way to make up the rest of the population of an Assembly District and preserve the best representation and communities of interest for Rockland County. Please consider keeping the core of district 7 intact. Thank you.
  
• Anne
  February 28, 2023
  My name is Anne Perryman, and I have lived on the Upper West Side for 50 years. I am also the President of the Tenant Association at 140 West End Avenue, which is part of Lincoln Towers. The proposed draft of the 67 Assembly district splinters the northern and southern sections of the West Side Community. I have lived at Lincoln Towers for decades, and throughout that time period the Upper West Side and Hell's Kitchen communities have always been included in the 67 Assembly district. The proposed 67 Assembly district map slices the district at 86 Street, fracturing like-minded constituencies in the West 80s and 90s. Many of my neighbors and friends in that area have far more in common with those living in the West 70s and 60s than the population living near Columbia. I am also concerned by the Commission's decision to split the West 50s from the West Side community. As the tenant president of many rent regulated tenants and an avid housing advocate, it makes sense to keep like-minded constituencies, such as rent regulated tenants, together. Both the Upper West Side and Hell's Kitchen have large numbers of rent regulated housing, and the Commission must ensure that these similar communities are preserved. The Commission must reject the draft map of the 67 Assembly district. It is important that the current Assembly district lines are kept intact. Thank you Anne Perryman
  
• Patrick
  February 28, 2023
  Good morning I have been made aware of draft assembly lines that cut the Town of Clarkstown between three districts and split it from Haverstraw. In order to be effectively represented in the assembly we need someone arguing for all of Clarkwtown and someone who knows our Town. The plan would join towns that have never been joined before we need Clarkstown / Haverstraw and Nyack in one district Thank you
  
• Alex
  February 28, 2023
  To Whom it May Concern: My name is Alex Low. I am a resident of Windsor Terrace, as well as co-president of the Parent Teacher Association for PS10, one of the area’s largest elementary schools, though I write on my own behalf today and not on behalf of the school or the PTA. I am writing to register my strong opposition to the IRC’s proposed map for the New York State’s 44th Assembly District. Windsor Terrace and Kensington have long stood together as strong, vibrant, cohesive, sister neighborhoods, despite Robert Moses’ historic sin of cutting up our beautiful neighborhoods with the ugly Prospect Expressway. For many decades, those neighborhoods have remained united and intact within the 44th Assembly District, full of wonderful schools, churches, clubs, community-based organizations, family stores and the like. Yet, with this proposal, many of those entities will face the prospect of their communities and constituencies being torn apart, and cast into different districts under different representation. I further fear that the districts being cut out of the 44th district will become appendages to other vibrant assembly districts with which they have much less in common. In short, our beautiful neighborhood will no longer be one. As a longtime reform activist, I know it’s a tough but important job drawing district lines in impartial ways. I commend you for your work. But I also know one of the fundamental principles is to keep tight-knit, historic neighborhoods intact. I beg you not to finish Robert Moses’ dirty work and memorialize the ugly Prospect Expressway as a border. What better border than historic Green-Wood Cemetery. Please do the right thing and keep our beautiful neighborhoods together within the 44th Assembly District. Thank you for your time and consideration. Yours sincerely, Alex Low
  
• Karen
  February 28, 2023
  I think redistricting congressional districts to better represent minorities and the poor is essential for ensuring fair and equal representation in our government. I stand by the principle of one person, one vote: In the U.S. each individual's vote must equal weight. However, gerrymandering dilutes the voting power of certain groups, especially those in areas with high concentrations of minorities and the poor. By redrawing districts to reflect the true distribution of voters, we can ensure that each person's vote counts equally, as it should! The Voting Rights Act was enacted to protect the voting rights of minority groups. Instead of gerrymandering to suit the rich and powerful, draw districts that better represent minority communities, and help to protect their voting rights and ensure they have a voice in the political process. Another issue; the makeup of our government should reflect the diversity of our nation. Redistricting to better represent minorities and the poor can help ensure that minority areas get to elect representation they trust. Redistricting to better represent minorities and the poor can help restore fairness and equity to our electoral system. Let's make sure all have fair and equal representation in our government to uphold the principles of democracy.
  
• Jeffrey
  February 28, 2023
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  please see attached statement
  
• Jeanne
  February 28, 2023
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  I live in the Hamlet of Eastport, Town of Brookhaven. It is indicated on the map as a black dot. A small part of Eastport, north of Route 27 and running along either side of Route 51 has been cut off from AD1 and the rest of Eastport, south of Route 27, both the Brookhaven Town and Southampton Town portions, while a part of Manorville, just to our west is included in AD1 and cut off from the rest of Manorville which is in AD2. Most of the population of Eastport in the area north of Route 27 is included in Encore, an over 55 condominium, and my condominium community, the Ranches at Eastport. There are a few small neighborhoods as well but the majority of the land is pine barrens preserve. By isolating the north part of Eastport from the rest of Eastport and AD1 will cause our interests to be diluted and our voices minimized. Our interests and our community lie in Eastport and not with the communities in AD2. Please consider redrawing this small part of our Long Island community to be fair and equitable and include Eastport in AD1 and include all of Manorville in AD2. Please consider the whole community when drawing lines. Respectfully submitted, Jeanne Greco
  
• Warren
  February 28, 2023
  By way of introduction, my name is Warren Schreiber. I reside in Bay Terrace, Queens, and currently serve as President of the Queens Civic Congress, Co-President of the Presidents of Co-op & Condo Council, and President of Bay Terrace Cooperative Section I. I am also past president and founding member of the Bay Terrace Community Alliance. Anyone looking at a map will understand that Bay Terrace is very much part of Bayside and the 26th Assembly District. Bay Terrace is connected to Bayside by geography, transportation, shopping, community involvement, senior services schools, and medical services. Mail to my home is sent to 13-24 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11360. Please make note of “Bayside” in my address. Bay Terrace must remain in the 26th Assembly District to maintain its identity as part of Bayside. Additionally, the 26th Assembly District is home to many middle-income, working-class housing co-ops, and condos. Co-op/condo leaders in the 26th Assembly District have effectively advocated on behalf of the families, including the seniors residing in co-op/condo housing. Dividing the 26th Assembly District will take away our voice and ability to effectively advocate. Co-op and condo housing in the 26th Assembly District of Queens is a last bastion of affordable home ownership. I urge the Redistricting Commission to maintain the community and geographical aspects of Assembly District 26. Thank you.
  
• Jo Anne
  February 28, 2023
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