In the March 31 issue of the Westchester Guardian
When a resolution to hire a demographer to assist New Rochelle’s City Council with redistricting was placed on the Council’s agenda, Councilman Richard St. Paul raised an objection. He asked whether the demographer would act in an advisory role to Council. Mayor Noam Bramson answered in the affirmative. Continuing, St. Paul admitted Andrew Beveridge was a “foremost expert,” but added “his affiliation” to the Mayor as a campaign contributor politicized the process. Further, he felt the “citizens want a non-partisan committee” which would create an open and transparent process.
Four Democrats on the Council had composed a Memorandum stating that “Fair and equal political representation can only be achieved when district boundaries are based on accurate and current population data.” Among the principles they enumerated were :the promise of contiguous districts, enhanced opportunities for minority residents to participate in the political process and to elect candidate of their choice, keeping neighborhoods whole, and creating “compact” Council Districts.
St.Paul felt a voted of 7-0 on redistricting should prevail and suggested that the City Manager pick a consultant who had no connections with any council member. Responding to charges that St. Paul was creating a cloud of unwarranted suspicion. St Paul said when the previous redistricting was formulated Mayor Idoni had described sitting at a kitchen table with three people. Councilman Lou Trangucci added that the Democrats held the trump card. Bramson responded that this discussion “proves you can manufacture a controversy about anything.” St. Paul continued to emphasize, “We want an open and fair process.”
Councilman Jared Rice wanted to know if there was anything Beveridge would do that could have an adverse effect on the redistricting process. St. Paul replied it had nothing to do with his respect for Beveridge, his concern was that there be a “fair and open process” of redistricting. He suggested asking for an advisory opinion from the ethics board commission because they would have no connection with anyone on City Council. Mayor Bramson then said he did not know Beveridge had contributed to his campaign fund, but felt this neither “qualifies nor disqualifies” him. The timing issues involved in redistricting were of primary concern to Bramson. Rice during the roll call vote said people can get a “time machine and live in the past,” but he did not plan living in the past and voted, “yes” to hire the consultant along with the other Democrats. St. Paul said he supported the Citizens Committee and if the demographer is unfair he will be held accountable.
Criticizing this politicized vote on Council, 4 Democrats to 3 Republicans, and the refusal of the Council to establish an “official non-partisan redistricting committee,” the Concerned New Rochelle Citizens for Redistricting Committee (CNRCRC) issued a statement. They said they had established a non-partisan, independent committee.” Mark McLean, CNRCRC Chair, cited past abuses of redistricting which divided communities and created misshapen districts unequal in population. His concern was that instead of politicians being chosen by their constituents, professional politicians had designed districts which incorporated the people who would reelect them.
One resident, Jim Murphy, suggested a logical way to redistrict. Take 6 equal rectangles based on the size of New Rochelle, he said, and “slap them on the map of New Rochelle and that’s the six districts.” This would eliminate gerrymandering of districts. Doug Colety, the Chairman of the Republican Party in New Rochelle, said his party “is going to be very involved” and will monitor what is being done.. Republicans will draw their own redistricting plan, and if necessary, hire a lawyer.