Oliver Offers Redistricting Amendment, Hints At Legal Action
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Councilman Ken Oliver hopes to resolve an ongoing dispute with Councilman Tom Quirk over a single election precinct with an amendment to a proposed redistricting plan.
And if that doesn't work, Oliver said he is prepared to challenge the redistricting plan in court.
The proposed redistricting plan, which the council will debate on Tuesday, moves the Woodlawn High School precinct, located north of I-70, to Quirk's district.
"I was a little (upset) about it," Oliver said of the proposal brought forth by the county's first Redistricting Commission.
Oliver has opposed the move because the precinct, populated by voters who are predominantly African-American, is home to the Social Security complex and the focus of economic redevelopment efforts. Residents of the area testified in August that they believed the precinct had more in common with areas that would remain in Oliver's 4th District then they do in the 1st District represented by Quirk.
In an interview Thursday, Oliver said the move would reduce the population of his district from the current 117,000 to about 110,000. The move would increase the population in Quirk's district by more 6,300 residents to more than 115,000 residents.
"You can't take my district down from 117,000 to 110,000," Oliver said.
The three-term Democrat said he has drafted an amendment to the plan introduced last month. Oliver's proposal would pull the Woodlawn High School precinct back into the 4th District and move Featherbed Lane Elementary and its 4,100 residents into Quirk's district.
The move would make the two districts essentially equal in size in terms of population, Oliver said.
Oliver said he's shown it to other members of the council and believes he has the support to pass it. If the amendment fails, Oliver said he'll challenge the plan in court on the basis of an inequitable distribution of voters.
Oliver has not talked to Quirk about his idea. He said the two have barely spoken since the redistricting commission released it's plan.
"The others were talking to each other and getting their differences straightened out," Oliver said, adding that he was at a loss to explain why the two weren't talking.
"I know I was taking showers," Oliver said. "I don't know what the problem is."
Quirk said last month the he is "supporting the Redistricting Commission's recommendations. That's where I'm at."
David A Aughenbaugh
5:30 pm on Thursday, September 22, 2011
I'm no fan of Councilman Oliver, however, he has a point and seemingly a relatively 'common sense' alternative. In the meantime, Quirk seems perfectly happy hiding behind the Redistricting Commission's recommendations...self preservation above all else...
Stephen W Whalen Jr
2:02 am on Saturday, September 24, 2011
Look, gentlemen, don't like the upcoming impact of redistricting on the First District? Too many liberal Democratic minorities to your liking going to appear in your future really soon? Have I got a potential solution for you (pick one):
1) Annex Ellicott City (good luck!). 2) Double the number of Council districts and Council reps so Catonsville & Arbutus can be their own district (good luck!). 3) Incorporate Catonsville & Arbutus (Catutus?) as the very first independent municipality within Baltimore County (good luck!). BTW, Jimmy Mohler will be our first mayor. 4) Recognize where Baltimore City is moving to as those folks run away from their own problems, and just grin (or grimace) and bear it. 5) Move to Howard County, like most unhappy Catonsvillians have done for the last 40 years, and leave the problem in your rear view mirror. 6) Stop indiscriminately fighting each and every development proposal on general principles and start encouraging the high quality projects that attract affluent folks back to our neighborhoods -- quality, controlled development with great amenities won't eliminate the issue, but it will ameliorate the rate of negative transition and create some positive inertia for a change.
Just in case you seriously want to put the issue in perspective.
Spoken like a true developer, huh? Except it's a fact. Those who aggressively oppose change at every opportunity still get change all right, but not the kind any of us want. As we sow, so shall we reap.
walker
5:46 pm on Thursday, September 22, 2011
district 1 has enough of its own problems we cant handle. adding some of district 4 problems is just silly. let him keep the area. stop biting off more then you can chew. fix the problems you have now then take on more. heck district 1 residents cant even put lids on trash cans or cut lawns.
Buzz Beeler
12:30 am on Saturday, September 24, 2011
Walker, I was on topic. You just described the impact concerning residents who fail to live by certain standards usually defined in class distinction.
Mr. Whalen is correct regarding the law, but that law does not dictate the quality of life issues that you alluded to. Your assessment in the redistricting is worthy of concern.
The reference I made was related to those problems that you referred to in your quote of "we can't handle."
The shift in demographics is precisely part of this equation concerning redistricting. I gave two examples of how those changes can impact the very issues you described.
As for Robert, he really is a fan.
Steve Whisler
12:17 am on Friday, September 23, 2011
It is nuts that the current six precincts north of Route 40 overshadow the votes of all other 23 precincts in Catonsville, Arbutus, and the Lansdowne region. Adding two more extremely large precincts from Woodlawn HS would silence the voices of a great majority of the district's moderate and conservative residents. The redistricting plan is designed to elect extremely liberal Democrats like Quirk and discount the will of a vast majority of the district's precincts.
walker
5:30 pm on Friday, September 23, 2011
most of the people i know do not even vote per their party anymore. they are voting for the person they feel is best for the job. in my opinion quirk was voted in due to his people skills and the fact that he made himself known. people want eye contact and shaking hands and saying hi. now if he doesnt follow through with promises and plans he has made prior to election he may not be in office come election time. the game is up and in this race you cant make things happen when your near the end of office you need to do them before and during. my point is its not about votes and what party you are. its about the person and that person proving themselves worthy. now if he has a thought of wanting this redistricting do to votes well he better think again. like i said before district 1 has enough problems now why add to them. its plain silly. more work and taking on too much will do nothing but hurt him in the end.
Buzz Beeler
5:01 pm on Friday, September 23, 2011
Anyone listen to Ron Smith and Blair Lee this morning?
Seems like Montgomery County has fallen on hard times and dropped out of the top ten wealthiest. Their left of left leadership is missing something. I wonder what it could be?
On the flip side, Prince William County's rise in wealth speaks volumes -- and median income, of it's conservative approach.
Anyone want to guess the reasons for the rise and fall of these counties?
walker
5:19 pm on Friday, September 23, 2011
what the heck does this have to with in regards to the redistricting plan. dont be a knuckle head and keep on topic. we all know when you post there is always a follow behind from armstrong.
Robert Armstrong
5:16 pm on Friday, September 23, 2011
It's not exactly rocket science Dude. Northern Virginia has had a unchecked explosion in growth. That's why traffic is horrendous. They have also had several major corporate relocations which resulted in a increase in the number higher number of high paying jobs. Montgomery County requires more affordable housing.
http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/2011/09/washington-area-richest-nation-last-year
At least Howard county is ranked #3 and MD still holds the #1 ranking as the most wealthiest state.
Robert Armstrong
6:01 pm on Friday, September 23, 2011
LOL "Fallen on Hard Times" Per capita income has fallen from $93,199 to $89,155. That's your definition of "hard times"??
You really are out of touch.
Stephen W Whalen Jr
9:31 pm on Friday, September 23, 2011
Uh, folks, most of you are missing the fundamentals of First District geography and the requirements of law at every level. First, the seven councilmanic districts need to be reconfigured each decade due to population changes so that each is roughly equal in residents. That's the law. Secondly, the First District is bordered by Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and the Fourth District. So, unless we're planning to annex Ellicott City, there's ONLY one way the district can expand, and that's by taking some contiguous piece of what's now the Fourth. Whether it's Woodlawn or Featherbed or something else contiguous to us over there, it is the ONLY option. So kwityerbellyachin' and please learn the fundamentals of Civics 001 that you should have picked up in elementary school.