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2011 City of Houston Redistricting


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The City of Houston Charter requires that the Houston City Council expand to eleven single-member districts at such point that census data demonstrates that the City's population exceeds 2.1 million residents. With the much anticipated release of the 2010 U.S. Census, the City will begin the process of redistricting in order to add those districts.

The City is interested in hearing from you and your neighborhood regarding your suggestions for the configuration of the new council districts. Attend any Town Hall meeting and tell us what you think. Go to http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/2011/index.html to find the closest meeting to where you live or work and for more information.

If you have questions or concerns, contact margaret.wallace@houstontx.gov or call 713.837.7826.

More information:

http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/2011/index.html

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I've lived in the Montrose since '81, and have seen my neighborhood's political clout reduced systematically through gerrymandering. What was once city district 'C' is now split between 'C' and 'D'. Perry's redistricting split us again on the national level; what was once District 18 has been invaded by District 7 (Sheila Jackson Lee vs John Culbertson.)

This divide and conquer approach dilutes political influence. I hope (but don't believe) that redistricting won't further divide my neighborhood into mincemeat.

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  • 2 weeks later...
City of Houston Redistricting 2011 - Town Hall Meeting (District D)

Mayor Annise D. Parker

District D Council Member Wanda Adams

City of Houston Attorney Dave Feldman

Thursday, March 3, 2011

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Museum of Fine Arts-Houston, Brown Auditorium

1001 Bissonnet St. - Law Building Houston, TX 77004

Parking located across the street from museum (along Bissonnet St. between Main and Montrose Blvd. )

The City of Houston Charter requires that the Houston City Council expand to eleven single-member districts at such point that census data demonstrates that the City's population exceeds 2.1 million residents. With the much anticipated release of the 2010 U.S. Census, the City will begin the process of redistricting in order to add those districts.

The City is interested in hearing from you and your neighborhood regarding your suggestions for the configuration of the new council districts. Attend this Town Hall meeting and tell us what you think. Go to http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/2011/index.html for more information.

If you have questions or concerns, contact margaret.wallace@houstontx.gov or call 713.837.7826.

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While I think I think most residents need to attend this, perhaps people in the Heights need to take particular attention to this. Houston gotten really screwed up lines last time, so perhaps if if people showed up in force, they'd actually listen to (all) their constituents.

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Town Hall Meeting (District E)

Mayor Annise D. Parker

District E Council Member Michael Sullivan

City of Houston Attorney Dave Feldman

Monday, March 7, 2011

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Woodbridge Baptist Church

5707 Kingwood Dr. at Willow Terrace Dr .

Humble, TX 77345

OR

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

University of Houston - Clear Lake

2700 Bay Area Blvd. - Bayou Building , Garden Room

Houston, TX 77058

Parking located in Lot R (Visitor Lot) or Lot D (Enter Entrance 1 off Bay Area Blvd. )

The City of Houston Charter requires that the Houston City Council expand to eleven single-member districts at such point that census data demonstrates that the City's population exceeds 2.1 million residents. With the much anticipated release of the 2010 U.S. Census, the City will begin the process of redistricting in order to add those districts.

The City is interested in hearing from you and your neighborhood regarding your suggestions for the configuration of the new council districts. Attend this Town Hall meeting and tell us what you think. Go to http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/2011/index.html for more information.

If you have questions or concerns, contact margaret.wallace@houstontx.gov or call 713.837.7826.

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As I understand it, these measures are being taken under the assumption that Houston has gained 'X' amount of people.

If we haven't gained as many people as were thought, will redistricting be shelved?

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Redistricting and the adding of two extra single member districts is required once the City reaches 2.1 million residents, but also may be undertaken on its own without reaching that threshold. All indications so far are that the City will add the two districts, considering the count is less than 600 from 2.1 million and the City believes it was undercounted.

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  • 3 weeks later...
City of Houston Redistricting 2011

Town Hall Meeting (District G)

Mayor Annise D. Parker

District G Council Member Oliver Pennington

City of Houston Attorney Dave Feldman

Monday, March 21, 2011

6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Briargrove Elementary School (cafetorium)

6145 San Felipe Road

Houston, Texas 77057

Parking located behind school (Along Briarmead Drive or Briar Ridge Drive off San Felipe Road )

City of Houston Redistricting 2011

Town Hall Meeting (District A)

Mayor Annise D. Parker

District A Council Member Brenda Stardig

City of Houston Attorney Dave Feldman

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Oak Forest Elementary School Cafetorium

1401 West 43rd Street

Houston, Texas 77018

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City of Houston Redistricting 2011

Town Hall Meeting (District I)

Mayor Annise D. Parker

District I Council Member James Rodriguez

City of Houston Attorney Dave Feldman

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Houston Community College

Southeast Campus Learning Hub

6815 Rustic Street

Houston, Texas 77087

Parking located in front of the Learning Hub

(Along Rustic Street at Garland Drive)

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Is a cafetorium better than a cafeteria? We only had crappy cafeterias back in LA public schools.

You lucked out.

A cafetorium incorporates the disadvantages of both a cafeteria and an auditorium. In either case, the acoustics are awful. Still, it's an efficient use of space.

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City of Houston Redistricting 2011

Town Hall Meeting (District H)

Mayor Annise D. Parker

District H Council Member Edward Gonzalez

City of Houston Attorney Dave Feldman

Monday, March 28, 2011

6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Jefferson Davis High School

1101 Quitman Street

Houston, Texas 77009

Parking located behind school

(along Tackaberry Street off Quitman Street or Morris Street off Fulton Street)

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City of Houston Redistricting 2011 Town Hall Meeting (District B)

Mayor Annise D. Parker

District B Council Member Jarvis Johnson

City of Houston Attorney Dave Feldman

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Acres Home Multi-Service Center

6719 West Montgomery Road

Houston, Texas 77091

Parking located behind facility (Along Wilburforce Street)

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City of Houston Redistricting 2011 Town Hall Meeting (District F)

Mayor Annise D. Parker

District F Council Member Al Hoang

City of Houston Attorney Dave Feldman

Thursday, March 31, 2011

6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Sharpstown Park Community Center

6600 Harbortown Drive (at Bellaire Boulevard)

Houston, Texas 77036

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I attended the redistricting meeting so you don't have to!

Actually, I do not want to discourage anyone who either wants to watch and listen to the comments made at the meetings, or wants to make comments. However, I thought I'd point out that as far as gathering information about what is going on, the criteria to be used and other info related to redistricting, most of it can be found here...

http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/2011/index.html

The video on that webpage was played at the meeting. Information on the webpage was passed out in paper form. Comments can be sent by email listed on the webpage. You can even submit your own redistricting plan, so long as it complies with the City and DOJ guidelines!

As for what the majority of the comments were, most asked to keep neighborhoods together. Many asked to stay with other neighborhoods, such as Shady Acres, Sunset Heights and Brookesmith asking to be kept with Houston and Woodland Heights. Super neighborhoods often asked to be kept in the same council district. The mayor commented that these concerns were already being addressed, as some of the previous redistricting split some neighborhoods, and they are trying to reunite them.

The more important meetings will be the public hearings conducted after the proposed redistricting map is released by the City demographer. If you have complaints about the proposed map, you could tweak it and submit a revised one of your own that resolves your issue. Who knows, yours may be better. The City Council is not monolithic, and the Mayor, while powerful, does not always get her way (witness the recent historic district vote).

At any rate, have fun drawing your own council maps. It has to be at least as much fun as Sim City.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Public Hearings on Proposed City Council Redistricting Plan

On Wednesday, April 6, 2011, the Houston City Council was presented with the proposed City Council Redistricting Plan. Three public hearings will be held to discuss the proposed plan on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 9 a.m., and Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 901 Bagby, Houston 77002. Maps of the proposed districts will be available for viewing at the hearings, and can also be found on the City of Houston website at http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/2011/index.html.

To reserve time to speak at one of these hearings, call 832.393.1100 or sign up in person in the City Secretary's Office, City Hall Annex, Public Level, 900 Bagby 77002 at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled public hearing.

For more information call Margaret Wallace at 713.837.7826 or margaret.wallace@houstontx.gov.

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