The "cat-eyed tree-snake coiled around a branch, is locked in an [existential] "embrace" with a Morelet's treefrog, a critically endangered species." Photograph byDavid Maitland
It appears from maps published by the Center for Urban Research, CUNY that Elmont will be redistricted into 3 senate districts. This practically means that Elmont's voting strength would be so diluted (cracked) that the community would have no essential role in selecting a State Senator for the next decade. Further, in what appears to be a cynical ploy, one of the three districts moves portions of Elmont into SenatorSmith's Queens Senate District 14.
Section 5 of Voting Rights Act of 1965 is central to the argument against cracking the community. Elmont's vote is cracked into three senate districts, the 7th, 9th and 14th. With issues like economic development, state school aid, and repeal of the constitutonally challenged two-thirds majority required to support public education, Elmont is rendered irrelevant in the debate. What's left is an artificial but deliberate dependence on favors from three or four unelected Elmont surrogates while the elected officials for whom they work thumb their collective noses at the voting rights Act of 1965.
Former New York City mayor, Ed Koch said “I am disappointed in this result and in the dishonorable lawmakers who openly pledged to do things differently this year, and then reneged when it wasn’t to their political advantage". Mayor Koch lead the fight for independent redistricting.
"As a resident of Parkhurst I am appalled ... how could they draw a district that cuts through my civic and shove every street west of Bieling Road into the 14 Senate District?" said a frustrated resident. "I pay Nassau taxes and they draw me into Queens. I thought I picked my representative not the other way 'round."
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has found favor with Senate GOP leaders, said he would veto any lines not drawn by an independent commission.
"There is an old Guyanese proverb", said another resident, "all skin teeth nah laugh." It means "Just because someone smiles with you doesn't mean that they are a friend ... I hope it's clear to every resident in Elmont what 'dem "skin teeth" and pictures mean."
Residents are planning a protest on Dutch Broadway on Tuesday January 31 at 11AM.
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After the disastrous move by the County Executive and the Republican Majority to close half of the police precincts in Nassau County, the Democratic caucus was successful in pushing Ed Mangano's back against the wall so that he gave us a signed guarantee that there would not be one less patrol car in any neighborhood. The agreement additionally stated that there would be more law enforcement personnel in all of the policing centers.
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