Los Feliz Ledger DISTRICTS from page 1
widely-disparate communities, from a socio-economic standpoint,” Gatto said. “You would see an area with one of the highest rates of home ownership [Los Feliz] with one of the lowest home ownership areas [East Los Angeles].” So far, said Gatto, 100% “of the phone calls we’ve gotten have been against the changes.” Jose Sigala, president of the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council (GE-
drafts was moved back to mid July, according to Rob Wilcox, the redistricting commissions communications director, to allow more time for public input. “Everyone deserves the very best representation. That begins with an active and engaged community exercising their civic duties,” said U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, whose 33rd Congressional District would be shifted westward and lose the Los Feliz and Silver Lake areas under first-draft changes. “The commission is hard
“So far 100% of the phone calls we’ve gotten have been against the changes.” — California State Assemblyman Mike Gatto PENC), said he’s been “keeping tabs” on the redistricting effort, which has injected a “definitely new” approach to the state’s “political landscape.” However, he said he is concerned over planned changes like those in neighboring Silver Lake, where the community could be split between the 45th and 46th assembly districts. Historic Filipinotown is another community where Sigala suspects residents could lose some of their political clout through the re-worked districts. “I basically understand the work the commission is doing,” he said. Redistricting officials, he said, need to keep asking themselves, “How do you best handle communities of interests and their needs?” For those wanting to voice their opinions to the commission about the new district maps, the public comment period is far from over. In fact, release of the second round of
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at work and they have a job to do,” she said, “but I encourage all Californians, especially the residents of the 33rd District living in Los Feliz and Silver Lake to participate in our democracy and have your voices heard.” Without doubt, “there are going to be people who are upset with whatever the commission agrees on, said the GEPENC’s Sigala. But, ultimately, he said: “I think those who have the strongest views” and “are willing to organize, they will make a difference in their communities.” The redistricting commission has posted a preliminary schedule of July public hearings at www.wedrawthelines. ca.gov. The panel is also currently accepting public comments via their toll-free phone line, 1-866-356-5217, e-mail, votersfirstact@crc.ca.gov, or regular mail sent to the Citizens Redistricting Commission, 901 P Street, Suite 154A, Sacramento, CA 95814.
www.losfelizledger.com
July 2011