Members of Syracuse’s independent redistricting commission continue to gather feedback on the draft council maps released last month. The five districts have been redrawn for the first time in 20 years to reflect changes in the city’s population numbers and demographics. Former council candidate Jay Subedi said at a recent meeting he’s glad to see the north side neighborhoods assembled in district “C”.
"We need more attention, more good, diverse representation because of the housing quality, because of the crime, because of the poverty issue. We have so many things we need to address. With that said, it's a very diverse population. Keeping that diverse population intact will help the blocks and community members to move forward."
The north side is home to much of the city’s refugee and New American population. It’s probably no surprise that some current common councilors questioned how and why the lines were drawn the way they were. First district councilor Jennifer Schultz lives in Sedgwick.
"...everything north of James Street I see as the north side, and south of James Street as Eastwood. Wondering if it's possible to include Sedgwick in the "C" district...."
Third district councilor Chol Majok lives in the Strathmore area.
"...the little part that you have cut off from Elmwood into Strathmore, that goes into Winkworth and Tipperary Hill, I thought it made sense to take that part and put it with in the Valley..."
Council president Helen Hudson urged councilors to keep the bigger picture in mind and respect the work of the redistricting commissioners.
"There's going to be a lot of different things changing. I just want everybody to calm down a little bit. Everyone's district is changing in some way. I'm just saying, give them a little break here."
The next redistricting commission meeting will be held Tuesday, June 14th at the Southwest Community Center starting at 5:30.
