New York State Independent Redistricting Commission

Adam
October 27, 2021
To equalize population imbalances between congressional districts there is another option: add more districts in high-population areas. This would avoid the need to break up and re-align upstate districts as much, if at all. In high-population areas the addition of new districts would empower smaller areas and would enhance the shared common interests of people in represented in those areas.

Darlene
October 27, 2021
After reading the comments from the Oswego County Leader, and being a resident in the district of Claudia Tenney, the underrepresentation by this representative, we would be better served in the area of Representative Joseph Morelle not in the North Country of Representative Elise Stefanik. Thank you.

Roy
October 27, 2021
Good Afternoon, I would like to urge the Independent Commission to not change the lines of the 45th Senatorial District and 114th Assembly District. My reasons are varied. However, one of the biggest reasons is that the 2020 Census is clearly not accurate at all. The North Country and Adirondacks grew in numbers especially during the Pandemic. In Essex County, some towns lost significant numbers on paper. While a recount would prove new district lines are not required. Being in the Adirondacks and North Country it just makes sense to keep the same proven leadership for our area right now. I hope the Commission will take the above into consideration when making their final recommendation. Thank You Roy Holzer

Judy
October 27, 2021
I have been extremely aggrieved that even a portion of Saratoga County is being represented by Elise Stefanik. All of Saratoga County is more connected to the Capital Region. See to it that all of Saratoga County is in 20th district represented by Rep. Paul Tonko.

Joi
October 27, 2021
I am against the redistricting of the Bronx and Westchester. If redistricting is done the Congress person will not be able to handle the large Bronx area especially if she keeps Queens as well.

Daniel
October 27, 2021
New Scotland should not be part of a district that goes all the way to Schoharie county and/or fulton/montgomery county as both draft plans propose. New Scotland is a much closer of a community of interest to Bethlehem or Guilderland - in fact the school districts that serve a majority of the town cross into Bethlehem and Guilderland. New Scotland is a suburban/rural town that is much more similar to its neighboring suburban towns and even towns across the river in southern Rensselaer or Northern Columbia County then to ultra rural areas. Placing New Scotland in a district that includes the rural areas of Schoharie County and Fulton/Montgomery County does not make sense.

Alan
October 27, 2021
This comment relates to the Congressional districts outlined in the “letters” map. That map shows the line between district W and district T running through the Village of Clinton in the Town of Kirkland, Oneida County. This clearly violates the principle of keeping municipalities intact. Although I realize it is not always possible to simultaneously satisfy all objectives, I ask that the Commission make every effort to keep the entire Village of Clinton in a single Congressional District. Thank you for your consideration, Alan Cole 39 College Street Clinton, NY 13323 colea@bestweb.net

Daniel
October 27, 2021
I respectfully request that Washington County be represented by the same elected official as Warren and Essex Counties. Warren and Washington Counties have been tied together in all aspects of life for generations. We share community service organizations, retail & leisure life, industrial development agencies and a community college. Our county is at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains with many communities resting within the Adirondack Park. We share this feature with Warren and Essex County. Our three counties surround beautiful Lake George with Washington County resting on the entire east side of the lake. These shared aspects of life show the need for one representative that understands the common goals and obstacles of these great communities. Washington County currently has three Assembly Districts. This has been very confusing for residents, local elected officials and for Assembly members themselves. Please, keep our county tied with the Warren and Essex Counties and keep the representation clear, consistent and appropriate.

Frank
October 27, 2021
I cannot print or paste this into my text or the box above. It is a regionalization map for health care that could suit regionalization of our congressional districts. This accompanies my comments regarding regionalization. Frank Smith, Fayetteville https://ocfs.ny.gov/directories/assets/images/OCFSRegionalMap.png

Frank
October 27, 2021
View File
I am writing to propose the enclosed congressional district map for the Upstate NY region. This is not my own drawing, but actually the current map that designates the catchment areas for the NY State Regional Perinatal/Neonatal Program. For those unfamiliar, over 40 years ago, NY state was divided into catchment areas where any woman with a high risk pregnancy, or a newborn with severe prematurity or other disease within that region would be referred to one central, tertiary medical center. For the Syracuse region, this center is overseen by SUNY Upstate Medical University and Crouse Hospital. Syracuse’s program is excellent and the regionalization concept has worked well since its inception. Why use this map, or a variation of it to comply with population requirements for each? Three reasons that come to my mind immediately are practicality, “eds and meds”, and tourism. Having districts that do not split counties allows the US Representative to have a clearer picture of the needs of the district’s county’s constituents and an ability to serve their needs. Otherwise, one representative is fighting for legislation for a town in County X while another representative may be fighting against the same legislation for a town 10 miles away in the same County X. Is this latter example practical? Sensible? Furthermore, each of these districts has a major interstate highway and would make the US Representative's visits to constituents more navigable. The regions in the enclosed map already unite the hospitals within that region in providing the best care for high risk pregnant women and infants. These hospitals already interact with each other, are familiar with each other, and refer patients to each other. The hospitals are often the major employers in their respective home towns. There is no question that their problems and needs are important to our government representatives. This map would provide the opportunity for hospitals and their associated health care centers to provide the region’s US Representative with a clearer picture of their concerns and needs and, to some degree, simplify the Representative’s approach to legislation that would affect the region’s health care. As far as “eds” is concerned, the colleges in the greater Syracuse region likewise are more familiar with each other and have common needs that may be different than those of other regions. Each of these districts has a major, clearly defined tourist attractive body of water. The Buffalo region has two Great Lakes, Rochester and Syracuse have Lake Ontario, and the Albany region has the Hudson River. Of course, each has a large number of smaller lakes and rivers, waterfalls, parks, etc. that distinguish the Upstate region from so many other parts of the country. Compared to our present US representatives in their current districts, a US representative from one of these proposed districts would have a much clearer understanding of the needs of the district’s local governments, its health care facilities and probably its centers of higher education, as well as its potential for further improvement of its tourist attractions and beautiful environment. Finally, transportation for the US Representative around the district would like be less helter-skelter! In my opinion, this regional map would put people over politics. Sincerely, Frank C. Smith, Fayetteville, NY. fcsmithny@aol.com

Zahava
October 26, 2021
My name is Zahava Schoenfeld 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 Harve 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 Nothern 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 strickly 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

Kevin
October 26, 2021
Greetings NYIRC It has come to my attention that the recently released maps for the NYS Senate Districts has completely rearranged the Northern part of our state. The current District Consisting of Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Warren And Washington Counties. I believe this district should remain intact. Each of these counties share more commonality among each other than anywhere else in the State. Rural vs urban, agriculture, tourism, outdoor activities etc. This group is best represented by one representative as a north country group. Many services are shared by all levels of government across this region yet within the current district. I implore you to leave senate district 45 in tact. Keep the connections forged over the years in place Any consideration is greatly appreciated Kevin Mulverhill Franklin County Sheriff 45 Barehill Road Malone, NY 12953

Patricia
October 26, 2021
Dear New York State Redistricting Commission, I am a resident of New Rochelle. It is imperative and just that district 16 remain unsegmented. We are the example of a thriving diverse community, it is why we choose to live here. Jamaal Bowman is my elected councilman , I wish him to remain so. Sincerely, Patricia Cohen

Fran
October 26, 2021
Followed is my testimony as a resident of the Northeast Bronx, I am extremely concerned that there are plans to remove my community from NY-16. We are geographically more connected to Westchester County than other areas of the Bronx. It is imperative that our community of interest remain together. We are a diverse district, socio-economically & ethnically. The optics of removing us from the district appears to minimize the black and brown voter. This is gerrymandering.

michael
October 26, 2021
I am a resident of New Rochelle. I am extremely concerned that there are plans to segment NY-16. It is imperative that there is equity across the district and we keep communities of interest together. We are the example of a diverse district, socio-economically and ethnically. Removing my community from the district appears to minimize the Black and Brown voter. This is gerrymandering.

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