6 replies to this topic

[John T Roberts]

I probably should have posted this weeks ago. As you know, every 10 years, after the U.S. Census, the entire country is required to redistrict as a result of the new census. Over the last few months, the city has been exploring how to redistrict. Our current plan on the council is 8 single member districts and 1 mayor elected at-large. The proposals that were put forth were to increase the council to 10 single member districts and the mayor. With the explosive growth over the last few years, if the city remained at 8-1, each councilperson would represent about 92,000 citizens. If the number were increased to 10 council members, each one would represent about 75,000 people. There are pluses and minuses to each plan. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has two opinion pieces in today's paper on the vote. One is by Bob Ray Sanders, the other is by the editorial board. I'm curious what you all think about the issue.

Here is Bob Ray Sanders Opinion:
http://www.star-tele...hould-have.html

Here is the editorial:
http://www.star-tele...th-council.html

Now, since the council has voted, it it time to draw the maps. 20 years ago, I was involved in the council redistrict process, and I found it was a lot of fun to try to divide the city and meet the requirements of the law. Back then, it was all done by hand. Now, it can be done on the computer and I believe there are links on the City's web site do draw the new boundaries.

[David Love]

I probably should have posted this weeks ago. As you know, every 10 years, after the U.S. Census, the entire country is required to redistrict as a result of the new census. Over the last few months, the city has been exploring how to redistrict. Our current plan on the council is 8 single member districts and 1 mayor elected at-large. The proposals that were put forth were to increase the council to 10 single member districts and the mayor. With the explosive growth over the last few years, if the city remained at 8-1, each councilperson would represent about 92,000 citizens. If the number were increased to 10 council members, each one would represent about 75,000 people. There are pluses and minuses to each plan. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has two opinion pieces in today's paper on the vote. One is by Bob Ray Sanders, the other is by the editorial board. I'm curious what you all think about the issue.

Here is Bob Ray Sanders Opinion:
http://www.star-tele...hould-have.html

Here is the editorial:
http://www.star-tele...th-council.html

Now, since the council has voted, it it time to draw the maps. 20 years ago, I was involved in the council redistrict process, and I found it was a lot of fun to try to divide the city and meet the requirements of the law. Back then, it was all done by hand. Now, it can be done on the computer and I believe there are links on the City's web site do draw the new boundaries.

I think there would be criticism no matter what they did, had they added two more heads people would be cursing the fact that they're adding council members and laying off or cutting city employee positions.

[Brian Luenser]

8-1 is best. For more districts look to Dallas for the Zoo. Every person in Fort Worth is currently represented. Even if some of us don't like those that represent us in our districts.

[Roger_H]

For one of the first times in my life, I find myself in total agreement with Bob Ray Sanders. The council should have voted for 10-1.

[cjyoung]

The city should have moved to 10-1. The far Northside is severely under repped. Most of the new construction and growth over the last 20 years with almost no city services.

[AdamB]

The city should have moved to 10-1. The far Northside is severely under repped. Most of the new construction and growth over the last 20 years with almost no city services.

Agree... Far North Fort Worth residents do not have the same interests of those living around Rivercrest. I believe both areas are represented by the same council person. As a result... the outer limits of Fort Worth which should be thriving are left to decay because our council is so central city focused and refuses to provide services and adequate roads where the tax base is growing the most.

In fact, as an ex Fort Worth resident... this played into my decision to leave Fort Worth as I previously lived in the Eagle Mountain area. I became quite disenchanted with a city that wishes to annex as much property as possible and increase my taxes and offer NOTHING in return.

[JBB]

Voters will decide in May if the council will move to 10-1 along with other changes to the city charter. Sounds like support on the council for 10-1 was split, but a measure to have the council vote on each charter amendment separately failed.

http://www.star-tele...le58084143.html