06-13-2001 Redistricting Min.COMMIINITY MEETING
MINUTES
JUNE 13, 2001
Supervisor in Attendance:
Mr. J. L. McHale, III
School Board Representative:
Ms. Elizabeth Davis
Planning Commission Member:
Mr. Sherman Litton
Media in Attendance:
Ms. Kathryn Culbertson
Staff in Attendance:
Ms. Lisa Elko, Clerk to the
Board of Supervisors
Mr. Lawrence C. Haake, III,
Registrar
Mr. Bill Handley, Planning
Department Demographer
Mr. Steve Micas,
County Attorney
Mr. Stylian Parthemos, Senior
Assistant County Attorney
The meeting came to order at 7:05 p.m.
Mr. Parthemos presented an overview of the County's proposed
redistricting plan. He stated that the County's total population
is just under 260,000 and therefore, the average population per
district must be just under 52,000. He further stated that the
most growth has occurred in the Matoaca District and noted that the
population must be redistributed to bring Matoaca in line with the
other districts. He reviewed the boundary lines of the areas
proposed to be moved from one magisterial district to another and
the proposed population distribution per district. He stated that
the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on June 20,
2001 to consider the proposed redistricting plan and indicated that
once the plan is approved by the Board, it must be submitted to the
United States Department of Justice for approval under the 1965
Voting Rights Act. He further stated that it is anticipated the
redistricting plan will be implemented after its approval by the
Department of Justice, and new voting cards will be issued prior to
the November 2001 general election for state offices. He stated
that the Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance on May 23, 2001
to divide the Manchester, Branches and Bellwood voting precincts
and make them consistent with the State House of Delegates, adopted
redistricting plan.
When asked, Mr. Parthemos stated that the County has had five
magisterial districts since the last annexation occurred in 1970.
Ms. Loretta Braxton expressed concerns relative to 50,000 people
being represented by one person and questioned statewide statistics
relative to the number of citizens represented by an individual.
Mr. Parthemos stated that he does not have statewide statistics,
but noted that Henrico County which has a slightly higher
population than Chesterfield also has five magisterial districts.
Ms. Ann Maierfeldt expressed concerns relative to planning
opportunities to compensate for population changes anticipated
within the next ten years.
Mr. Parthemos stated that the County is required to redistrict
every ten years to ensure that the average population in each of
the magisterial districts is within plus or minus five percent
based on the census figures.
Reverend Harold Braxton questioned whether the plan takes into
consideration the Voting Rights Act by not diluting the minority
vote.
Mr. Parthemos stated that staff feels the plan complies with the
requirements of the Voting Rights Act.
Mrs. Loretta Braxton questioned the change in racial and economic
demographics within each district.
Mr. Parthemos stated that the Census Bureau will not release
economic data until 2002. He further stated that there may be
minor racial demographic changes as a result of the small
percentages of people being moved from one magisterial district to
another and indicated that these changes would amount to no more
than two to three percent among the various districts.
Ms. Roni Pitt, representing Deerfield Estates Subdivision,
expressed concerns relative to shifting of Deerfield from one
magisterial district to another, and stated that the citizens of
Deerfield were hoping to remain in the Matoaca District for
consistency in representation.
Mr. Bob Herndon expressed concerns relative
redistricting process for political purposes.
to using the
Mr. Jerry Harwell expressed concerns relative to changing
demographics to allow an elected School Board representative to
remain in his district.
Mrs. Loretta Braxton expressed concerns relative to constraints,
other than residency of elected officials, that were considered
when formulating the redistricting plan.
Mr. Parthemos stated that population requirements was the primary
consideration for the redistricting plan. He further stated that,
although the County does not receive economic data from the Census
Bureau until 2002, it is required by law to redistrict during 2001.
Mr. John Stokes expressed concerns relative to redistricting having
an impact on school attendance.
Mr. Parthemos stated that the redistricting plan does not have an
impact on school attendance and indicated that the School Board
handles the process for moving areas of the County for school
attendance purposes.
Mr. Sherman Litton questioned whether the population of the
Correctional Center on Courthouse Road is included in the census.
Mr. Parthemos stated that the inmates of the Correctional Center
are included in the population figures of the census.
There was brief discussion relative to advertisement and citizen
notification of the proposed redistricting plan.
Mr. Bill Hastings expressed concerns relative to various areas
proposed to remain in the northernmost part of the Matoaca District
while an area of Beach Road is being moved to the Dale District.
Mr. Parthemos stated that people were moved from the Beach Road
area to the Dale District because Dale needed additional people to
meet the redistricting population requirements.
Reverend Harold Braxton suggested that a committee of citizens be
appointed to work on the redistricting plan together with the Board
members.
Mr. Parthemos stated that there is a very short time frame from the
arrival of the census population figures and the implementation of
the redistricting plan.
Mrs. Loretta Braxton expressed concerns relative to a short time
frame in which to consider adding additional magisterial districts
to the County.
Mr. Harry Daniel stated that the number of magisterial districts is
currently governed by the County Charter and the creation of
additional magisterial districts should be approached through an
amendment to the County Charter. He reviewed the process for
amending the County Charter.
(NOTE: If the Board wishes to create additional magisterial
districts, it my do so through the current, ongoing redistricting
process without the necessity of amending the County Charter. If
the Board wishes to consider a seven-district plan, such a plan
would, however, need to be re-advertised for another public
hearing.)
Ms. Kathryn Culbertson expressed concerns relative to a plus 3.8
percent deviation for the Bermuda District and a minus 2.8 percent
deviation for the Dale District and questioned the possibility of
making the two districts more equal in population.
Reverend Lawrence Pollard questioned the possibility of appointing
a citizen committee to work with the Board on the redistricting
plan.
Mr. Parthemos stated that the redistricting process does not allow
for a long period of deliberation.
Ms. Beth Davis stated that all of the citizens' questions and
concerns expressed during the redistricting community meetings will
be presented to the Board prior to the public hearing.
Reverend Lawrence Pollard expressed concerns relative to the
ability of one person to represent the large number of people in
each of the County's magisterial districts.
When asked, Mr. Parthemos stated that, if citizens feel the County
should have additional representatives, they could petition the
Board and request that they consider an increase in the number of
Board members.
Mrs. Margaret Davis questioned whether changes can still be made to
the proposed plan.
Mr. Parthemos stated that the Board can still make changes after
conducting the public hearing.
Discussion ensued relative to Meadowdale Apartments being in the
Bermuda District rather than the Dale District.
Mr. Roger Medlock stated that the residents of Millside Subdivision
support being returned to the Bermuda District as proposed.
Mr. Bob Olsen presented an alternative to the County's proposed
redistricting plan.
Mr. Parthemos expressed appreciation for the citizens' input.
Reverend Harold Braxton questioned whether there is an appeal
process for citizens who disagree with the County's redistricting
plan.
Mr. Parthemos stated that he is unaware of an administrative
appeals proce.ss.
Mr. Daniel stated that citizens can communicate their concerns to
the Justice Department.
Mr. Parthemos again expressed appreciation for the citizens' input.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
REDISTRICTING PUBLIC MEETING
june 13, 2001
ADDRESS
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