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Michael
October 18, 2021
Thank you for taking the time to read through my thoughts and comments regarding redistricting for the Town of Ogden. I personally have a vested interest in the representation of this town as I am set to become the Town Supervisor for the town of Ogden January 1st, 2022. I have enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with our current State Assemblyman and Senator and fear that a drastic change in these proposals will serve to further our voices in Albany. Here are some of my thoughts and concerns about the current redistricting plans: Both of the proposed Senate plans are fairly consistent with how the town is currently included in a senate district. As the current Senate district only includes Ogden and Sweden from Monroe County, I do see where more representation within our County to make sense. While I have appreciated our representation, I do see where our district may be better served closer to home within our own County. The proposed Assembly draft plans are much more concerning to me. Under both the Assembly Letters and Names plan, a very important community of interest is divided; the Spencerport School District. I started my work in public service as an elected member of the school board back in 2009. Add to that, we have school aged children and district that happens to be the largest employer in town, it is very important that our interests are wholly supported. The school district is contained in 4 separate towns; Ogden, Parma, Greece and Gates. Currently, 3 of those 4 towns are included in one Assembly District. Under the draft plan, the school district would be further divided. For the residents of the town that I represent, including as many of the families of the Spencerport School District in one Assembly District is a high priority. Additionally, the Spencerport Fire District is contained within the Town of Ogden and the Town of Parma. Dividing the representation of the School District and Fire District into multiple Assembly seats would make it more difficult to secure state resources and raise issues of concerns for those we serve. Additionally, for the past 20 years, the Town of Ogden has been included in an Assembly District with the Town of Greece. For many of my constituents, the synergy between these two towns is important and having representation in Albany that represents both towns is important to maintain those strong ties when advocating for issues of regional importance and our shared values. Additionally, we have enjoyed further representation within our County Delegates as it relates to the towns of Greece and Parma. The entire purpose of governmentally elected officials is to provide more direct access to local leaders and the residents. Continuing to divide these ties pulls our community connections further and further apart in a time were we especially need to be drawn closer and closer together. Most problematic is the Assembly Letters plan that incredibly divides the Town of Ogden and Village of Spencerport, two very obvious communities of interest that this commission should be seeking to keep contiguous within district boundaries. The Town of Ogden is home to 20,270 people; to divide the town without any apparent reason is completely inappropriate. Here we are talking about connections to other towns and this proposal divides our own town and village? Even more asinine is the division of the Village of Spencerport, home to 3,685 people. Without knowing the specific details of each of the proposed 300 Assembly districts drawn under both plans, I would image this would be among the very smallest communities that has been divided, once again, for no apparent reason. Similarly to the division of the Spencerport School District and the Spencerport Fire District, division of the Town of Ogden and Village of Spencerport diminishes are influence with our elected representative, diminishing the impact of the state and the ability to receive assistance when needed. While I can concede a need for redistricting the Senate within the two proposed plans, I do not see either of the proposed Assembly plans to be in the best interest of the people of the Town of Ogden. Thank you for considering my thoughts and concerns. Sincerely, Mike Zale
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Heather
October 18, 2021
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Attached please find the response to the draft 1 maps of senate districts in Central Queens. This response is from the Central Queens Redistricting Coalition. Regards, Heather E. Beers- DImitriadis, Co-Chair Raj Korpan, Co-Chair
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Heather
October 18, 2021
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Attached please find the response to the draft 1 assembly map of assembly districts in Central Queens. This response is from the Central Queens Redistricting Coalition. Regards, Heather E. Beers- Dimitriadis, Co-Chair Raj Korpan, Co-Chair
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MARLENE
October 17, 2021
My husband & I have owned our home in Forestville, NY for over 59 years in Chautauqua county. We are a rural area and do not want to be included with the Buffalo/Niagara Falls region. Our needs and wants are very different than these urban areas. Please use the map that keeps us in the southern tier as we are now...
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David
October 16, 2021
The New York Independent Redistricting Commission was charged with developing new district lines meeting certain criteria based on the results of the 2020 census. Unfortunately, the Commission has failed to achieve that result, and instead has issued two Congressional district maps, a ‘LETTERS’ map (supported by the Democrats on the Commission), and a ‘NAMES’ map (supported by the Republicans). Accordingly, public comments must pertain to either of these two partisan maps, rather than a bipartisan map which the Commission was supposed to develop. The following comments pertain to the ‘X’ district in the ‘LETTERS’ map. That district appears as the successor of the current Congressional District 20. Growing up in the Capital District region, we heard constant reminders that we lived in the ‘Tri-City area’, the domain of Albany, Troy and Schenectady, three cities whose past, present and future were and are inextricably interwoven. This is a highly integrated metropolitan area, interconnected on multiple dimensions: • Major highway corridors, including the Northway (Rt 87) and Thruway (I90) link the area together. • Recurrent daily traffic flow patterns link Schenectady and Albany, and Albany and Troy, as Capital District residents commute to and from their workplaces. • Major entertainment venues serve residents throughout the area, as well as beyond: Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady, the Palace Theater in Albany, and the Times Union Center which serves as a venue for sporting and entertainment events. • Health facilities and systems link the area together: for instance, St Peter’s Health Partners has hospitals, clinics, and offices in all three city areas. • The Capital District Transportation Authority provides an integrated transportation service for residents of the area. Consequently, it doesn’t make sense that the Democratic redistricting plan severs Schenectady County from a part of the former Congressional District 20 to create a new District X without that County and the city it contains. There are many common issues that confront these three medium-sized northeastern cities and their surrounding area. It would make more sense for the three cities of Albany, Troy, and Schenectady to continue to be represented in the same congressional district. Moreover, there are many linkages between Saratoga Springs and the Tri-City area. CDTA bus routes provide express bus service for Saratoga residents commuting to the Albany area. Saratoga’s performing arts center, thoroughbred track and casino attract residents from all over the Tri-City region. Based on common interests and shared experiences, Saratoga Springs should remain as part of the same Congressional District as well. Finally, a comment about the work of the Commission. The redistricting that took place after the 2010 census was so blatantly partisan that the current district lines were finally drawn by a court. The New York Constitutional amendment that created the Commission was intended to provide a process independent of the legislature in order to produce a less partisan, fairer and more competitive result. The fact that the Commission has failed to agree on a single map (supported by at least seven commissioners) reinforces the perception of partisanship in this important process. If the Commissioners can agree on a redrawn district map, that would strongly counter this perception. I hope that the Commission will come together to produce a single map which will provide fair and competitive districts that will serve the interests of all New Yorkers.
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Gary
October 16, 2021
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Please see attached. Thank you
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Diane
October 15, 2021
living in the trilakes we are becoming diverse and need the districting of a conservative voice. the extremeists are noticable in the last 7 years and we would rather have a nice quiet area without the outside world coming here and ruining it. Fort Drum is an asset ,but not Watertown or Syracuse.WoofdogADK
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Robert
October 15, 2021
My district 21 should have the southern boundary moved farther north to end with Glens Falls the population farther south skews the representation of the rest of the district
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Edward
October 15, 2021
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Anthony
October 15, 2021
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David
October 15, 2021
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Darlene
October 15, 2021
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I feel Orleans and Niagara Counties should be left as they are. These two Counties share many common interests.
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Richard
October 15, 2021
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Bryan
October 15, 2021
On behalf the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce I'm submitting this letter to express my thoughts on fair redistricting. Orleans County is a rural county that has very different needs from an urban center. To include Orleans County with an urban center would not fairly serve the needs of the people who live here. Agriculture drives our business community and it is also a key focal point in our community as a whole. To lump our community with that of of a city would be a disservice to both the businesses in the families that reside here. Certainly the needs of our county are similar to the other agricultural driven counties in our area. I hope as the lines are redrawn that the needs of small communities are not ignored. I hope you will consider the needs of all of New York and not just the urban centers. Bryan DeGraw President Orleans County Chamber of Commerce
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Ann
October 15, 2021
The 57th Senate District should remain intact and not be divided up. It currently serves the entire counties of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany, along with portions of other counties. Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany share the same demographics and have similar needs which can be best served by one voice in the Senate. Do not split up these counties with surrounding areas.