Thursday, July 28, 2011
Peru aldermanic ward boundaries will be re-configured
The concept of "One voter / One vote" was lost on at least a couple of aldermen at last nights council meeting. Several aldermen were reluctant to accept the fact that federal law and Illinois state statute says that re-districting must ensure equal representation to all residents and that boundaries be arranged to limit population variation to no more than 10% between voting districts. Currently the wards in Peru are heavily unbalanced by at least 30% in some cases.
In anticipation of the changes that will need to be made, Clerk Bartley has contacted a consultant who is currently working with LaSalle County on the county wide re-districting effort. Bartley explained to the council the importance of proper planning on this issue. Cost to the city for consulting services would be from $7,000 to $14,000. Several aldermen were unimpressed with the idea of hiring a consultant for these services and at least two aldermen needed to be reminded by the city attorney that the re-districting is not something they should just ignore. Aldermen Ferrari and Ankiewicz could not quite grasp the whole concept.
On the other hand, Aldermen Radtke and Lukosus were quick to recognize the importance of the situation by citing what provides the foundation for our democracy, "One voter / One vote". Alderman Lukosus also pointed out the likelihood of civil lawsuits if the city chooses not to comply with re-districting.
I have witnessed on more than a few occasions in recent years some of the "more senior" members on the council tend to resist any situation they will not have the ability to manipulate or control. They take great offense to being instructed by the state, let alone the federal government on how to proceed on an issue.
The re-shaping of Peru's ward structure should not become another polarizing political issue. Hire the consultant so that he process will be done fairly and accurately. The council should not drag their feet on this matter as they typically tend to do when they are given a mandate.
Hire the consultant and get out of the way. The less input(interference) form elected officials, the better.
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21 comments:
Its easy to understand the push for new boundaries. As you redesign the boudaries you also elect new officials. We can say its about democracy and its makes sense that all areas have equal voters. We also know its about strategy, and it would be a big boost if the Mayor can eliminate a few more conservative council members with reshaping. Most of us will wonder about being the first city to aggressively spend to reshape the voter process. Some will wonder if the newly elected members of the city council have already worn out their welcome. Should the city be run like the county board redistricting, fully political and never practical? All in all nobody will really care about divisions. Is Peru the only city in the state jumping on board to pay a consultant to reshape voter areas? It makes us wonder!
According to the minutes of the July 13th Finance Committee meeting "Mayor Harl initiated a discussion on the feasiblity and cost effectiveness of hiring a city engineer." No comments are listed. I certainly think many Peru citizens see this as a move in the right direction. I wonder how city officials at the meeting felt and responded.
What electorative powers are being violated or not represented in the current Peru structure? What ethnic group is not being represented by the current structure? What party affiliation is not being represented within the current structure? It looks like another waste of time.
Steve,do you think that it is the cost of hiring a consulting firm with such a wide cost range $7,000 to double that amount $14,000 is what made the two aldermen so reluctant. They are conservative stewards of city finances. They also could be still feeling the wounds from when the consulting firm was hired to study "they ole water hole in Washington Park". Similar cost - $15,000. Similar Results - Bye Bye!
3:23PM
I have heard nothing of this and that was well over a month ago. Mum must be the word.
Due to the configuration of the landscape in the first ward, changing the current boundaries is not going to be an easy thing. We might very well lose both of our current aldermen to the second ward which would then have 4 living within their boundaries.
To 2:42 p.m. - Your observation that re-districting "shenanigans" are used and abused by political paries for their own benefit is accurate. Both political parties in fact.
Your suggestion that re-shaping the ward boundaries in Peru could somehow provide the same political benefit for one Peru elected official over another does not hold water in my opinion. You cannot compare the federal or state model of re-districting to that of an already diverse, equally dispersed demographic of a middle class municipality of 10,000 people.
In my opinion, there are two specific criteria for re-shaping boundaries in Peru.
1 - Equal representation in terms of the number of residents represented in each ward.
2 - The constitution and federal law provide that we will visit this issue after each census in order to ensure "One person One Vote" to every eligible citizen.
That's enough for me and it should be enough for you.
If you maintain there is a potential for political gain in the city of Peru by changing ward boundaries I hope you will provide a detailed explanation of exactly how that could happen. Please be specific.
To 4:45 p.m. - There is no question that the veteran aldermen are still "seething" from the Pool consultants report that they initially "welcomed and approved" which resulted in the ultimate demise of Peru's pool.
The cost to provide a a fair and honest change to ward boundaries in the city of Peru should not become a political debate. The cost is not excessive and the importance of doing it properly cannot be over-stated.
I have no doubt that at least a few Peru aldermen are convinced that "they" are capable and qualified to adjust the boundaries. "They" of course are neither qualified, nor capable.
I am reminded of the old standard, "A good man knows his limitations." There is only one scenario that I can imagine that would be more unsettling to me then having to rely on say, Bob Ankiewicz or Dave Waldorf for such a critical and important task.
They could consider plugging Jack O'Beirne back in.
Steve, I don't understand what difference the changes will make. If the boundaries are moved it may change who my alderman is but I will have representation on the city council who I may have or not have voted for. I always have had one vote and nothing will change. One person, one vote only applies to city wide election IMHO. Or state, county or national. It is only when someone is running unopposed that my vote really doesn't matter.
You would be able to elect 8 new alderman. The difference is that 8 seats would be up for election in 2013, not 4. That is the definition of critical and important. Other than that comment of one person, one vote is another slogan. That slogan has been used time and time again to determine if minorities or party affiliations are being properly represented. It a cute slogan but not a issue in smaller municipalities like we have in LaSalle County. It really dove tails what politics we have on a county wide scale. Quite possibly we may have the true politicians that seem to live at Peru City Hall calling these shots for your mayor. The last county board election was very close and I wouldn't be surprised if the borders would change to give the newly elected Republican(supported by Democrat party leaders) a greater advantage near the south edge of the district. Hire the same guy from the county for the city and you have validation? The area by Westclox and south of shooting park road is known to be heavy blue collar, just ask previous State Senate candidates. And you ask how this effects Peru? It validates the shananigans of the county.
Steve, I do not understand this one voter one vote either. And what do you mean when you say they could plug in a former alderman?
Steve, I too do not understand the significance of 1 voter, 1 vote. How would that be changed if we redistrict and how would that affect me other than I might be in a different ward?
A statute is law. The 14th amendment provides that no one can be denied equal protection of the law. Everybody should be treated the same. Essentially, by law, one is being deprived of equal representation when there is more than 10% variation of population from ward to ward and the constitution requires redistricting.
Before inaccurate conclusions are reached a definitive (legal) answer should be obtained from the proper official - city attorney, city clerk and/or county clerk. In this instance $7,000 to $14,000 to hire a consultant would be feasible because it would include over 145 to 160+ taxing bodies and the limitation of splitting precincts. Redistricting is a profession to be left in the hands of the professionals.
The topic redistricting is important to ensure the voting rights of minorities. And elect those representatives that reflect their shared interests. How relevant is this redistricting to Peru? Not at all. Why is this important. I agree with Lois it has no value. Civil suits? You must be kidding. Mayor, please offer something of value to the residents! Political redistricting in Peru is another way to deflect the real agenda items like tax increases and inefficiency at city hall.
In Peru's case, redistricting is not a minority representation case nor political shenanigans. It's about proportionality, issues of fairness and avoiding undue influence. At this time, there are basically two wards with smaller populations electing 50% of the Council. Just look at the election turnout by ward from the last election to see the very different volume. What one person, one vote means is that my vote "counts" just as much as someone else's, no matter city, county or state.
7:28AM
Normally Ward 1 would not have the extremely high turnout that it did this year. The higher percentage was due to the individuals who were running and the poor representation the ward had experienced under the then current alderman. As a rule, it is usually 30 to 40% and this time it was near 60%. Put the same set of circumstances in the smaller wards and the percentage would have been as high but the numbers would have been less.
Looks like to me that once again there must be a motive . Someone is going to lose and someone is going to win , but WHO ?
It looks like the "blind leading the blind", with the end result of "THE THREE BLIND MICE."
To 11:21 a.m. - I really doubt there will be 8 seats up for re-election in 2013. And, if you don't understand that Peru is predominantly "blue-collar" in every ward you need to get on your bike and take a long ride through town. You and a few others are reading way too much into this situation.
To 11:31 a.m. - I was just saying how inappropriate it would be to allow elected officials to interfere in the process of changing ward boundaries and how the only thing that could be worse was if Jack O'Beirne were still involved in any way. Although it would be entertaining to hear Jack's philosophy and wisdom on how this situation should be handled.
Lois and Linda - 1:58 p.m. and 7:28 a.m. explained it very well. It is not just about one aspect or proper representation. It could very well be that the shift in ward boundaries will mean, at least until the next election, that some folks will indeed find themselves designated to a different ward being represented by a different alderman. In Peru that is truly the proverbial "double edged sword". Some folks may be thrilled by the possibility of breaking away from a do nothing "pretender" of an alderman, and others will be terrified whaen thety realize they just inherited one. I think it's interesting and exciting. Probably because it's just another situation where the old "guard" of Ankiewicz, Ferrari, Waldorf and Potthoff will be resistant to any form of change as they have proven time and time again.
Just think about this for a minute.
"We will have at least a couple, if not three or four, of our aldermen on our city council that will be in direct opposition to the directive of 14th Amendment of the Constitiution of the United States". That is why I am never shocked at some of the things these guys have said and done over the years I have been watching them. It is truly amazing to witness how little some of them seem to understand of their responsibilities to the people and the oath they took when they were elected.
On the other hand, the "new-bees" on the council for the most part seem to realiize there is no reason to fear this change. Do not allow the skeptics and conspiracy theorists on the council to screw this up too.
I repeat, hire the consultant and get it done fairly and honestly. Then, move on!
11:14PM
Your concerns were addressed during the meeting on Thursday with the pyrotechnics and solutions were presented.
A city official already elected for a four year term would serve for the four years he was elected for. 1:58 p.m.'s explanation is so through and easy to understand that there is not a need to explain any further and cloud redistricting. Often wondered what happened to the hippies of the 60's who I have heard of and who thought they did not need to follow the Constitution of the United States. Reading your blog I am finding out where a stronghold of a real existing commune is located.
more half truths and steves continued assault on the council members that believe his self interet is not in the best interest of our city. The old gaurd continues to find steve as out of touch bitter complainer that one goal....benefit him. Soon the newbies will pick up and also ignore him.
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