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The new independent commission charged with preparing a recommended plan for reapportioning County legislative districts based on the 2010 Census, has officially started its work. The commission convened for the first time late yesterday.  It must submit its recommended reapportionment plan (and any alternates) to the Legislature’s Government Operations Committee no later than March 1, 2012.

Appointed by the Legislature to serve on the Commission are Henrik (Hank) Dullea, Linda Duttweiler, John Gutenberger, Michael Hattery, Margaret Hobbie, Daniel Konowalow, Eric Lerner, Sarah Reistetter-Akiri, and Jeffrey True, with Dullea appointed as Chair.  All nine Commission members were at yesterday’s inaugural session.

Chair Dullea set the stage for the task ahead.  He pledged that the commission will be independent, non-partisan, and will operate in a transparent manner.  He expressed confidence that the process will lead to reasoned, well-thought-out result.

Both Legislator Mike Lane, Chair of the Legislature’s Government Operations Committee, and Legislature Vice Chair  Dooley Kiefer expressed the Legislature’s high hopes for the Commission and the process ahead.  “From day one, everyone wanted to have an independent commission,” Lane remarked, “and we think it’s a better process.”  Legislator Kiefer noted that, with perhaps the only independent commission of its type in New York State, Tompkins County will lead the way in taking an independent, non-partisan approach to redistricting.

Lane noted that the Legislature in its charge has given the Commission two tasks:  to recommend the proper district lines to conform with the latest Census count and to recommend whether the current number of 15 legislative districts should be changed—a range of 11 to 19 is permitted by the County Charter and Code.  Lane said that element is intended to provide the Commission latitude to develop different proposed scenarios, as it desires.  Chair Dullea said he would like to solicit input regarding the number from legislative districts, from those such as current and past legislators and others who work closely with the Legislature.

Among the factors the Commission must consider under the County’s Standards of Reapportionment:  minimization of population variance among districts (deviation no greater than 10%); compactness of districts; practicable consistency with existing municipal boundaries and neighborhoods; and balance and reasonableness of representation for the diversity of citizens residing in all parts of the County.

At Monday’s session, Commission members discussed organizational issues and were introduced to staff with whom they’ll work through the plan development process.  As it begins its work, the Commission plans to meet approximately every two weeks, with its next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 12.

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