The Redistricting Process starts for Kansas City once again this afternoon. For the second time in less than a year a Kansas City Committee will make recommendations on the layout of this town's political landscape for the next ten years.
And this time they're playing for keeps.
In other words, this is a big deal for Kansas City Proper Politics. Tsar Bomba Big.
Little known fact:
THE NEW MAP DEVISED DURING THIS REDISTRICTING PROCESS WILL BE ADOPTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER A COUNCIL VOTE!!! SO THIS FIGHT FOR POLITICAL REPRESENTATION HAS CONSEQUENCES FOR POLITICOS CURRENTLY IN OFFICE AND NOT JUST THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE!!!
So where do we stand right now?
TAKE A LOOK AT THESE REDISTRICTING MAPS THAT CONTAIN OFFICIAL DATA FROM THE 2010 CENSUS THAT WILL INFORM THE PROCESS!!!
Let's start here . . . (Click the photo for a bigger view or click the link for a .PDF version of the maps)
Check the current population of City Council Districs according to the 2010 Official Census Data . . . The goal is to get these Districts as close to even as possible with room to grow. This will be tricky given the exponential grown of the Northland and consistent population loss in the 3rd District.
Now check out the CHANGE IN POPULATION among Kansas City Council Districts. Notice the Northland mostly in blue - That color signifies a POPULATION GAIN OF MORE THAN 20%.
Finally . . .
You can really dig deep (ew) and check out KANSAS CITY POPULATION CHANGE FROM 2000 - 2010
Like it or not, we're all in this thing together and the goal is to create equal representation for all of Kansas City.
Last time around Kansas City political veteran Steve Glorioso DOMINATED the process and it was ultimately his map that won out despite last minute POWER MOVES by Cris Medina on behalf of our Latinos Community along with Northland fist-waving.
Things to watch for . . .
The Northland is bringing their A-game and we'll certainly hear more griping about "disenfranchisement" from people who have no real world experience with that word. Redistricting Advisory Board Member and former Northland Council Dude John Fairfield led that cry last time around.
FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS THIS IS THE LAST, BEST SHOT FOR KANSAS CITY'S LATINO COMMUNITY TO CARVE OUT A COUNCIL DISTRICT AMONGST NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE PREDOMINANTLY HISPANIC!!!
And of course, despite so much population loss . . . THERE IS AN EFFORT TO PRESERVE AFRICAN-AMERICAN DOMINATED VOTING DISTRICTS IN THE 3RD AND 5TH AS WELL!!!
With so many competing interests, this process is always fun and so many people fail to realize that it literally determines how we vote in Kansas City.
Developing . . .
What does Sly think?
ReplyDeleteSly probably things Tony'd be better off if he'd quit thinking like a Mexican.
ReplyDeleteWho cares about latinos and blacks complaining about the Northland? Perhaps they just don't understand it. That's where the population is now, so it becomes the new seat of power. Get over it. If Mike Burke had an ounce of personality he'd have won the mayorship by 10 points...
ReplyDeleteDon't delute the black vote. That is important. (sarcasm)
ReplyDeleteThink how much better off the Northland would be in they weren't in KC.
ReplyDeleteThe Northland has endured decades of substandard city services. Ask those folks up in Platte County near KCI. They've paid taxes for years and have only recently started to get anything in the way of services.
ReplyDeleteThe South of the River folks always took their tax dollars but never thought they'd have to contend with the Northland being the center of population and power.
That's what happening, and they don't like it one bit.
It's a scandal! It's an outrage!! It's a disgrace!
ReplyDeleteIt's BIKINI ATOLL!!!!!
Last one was funny.
ReplyDeletemethinks the blacks and browns will be at each other's throats soon enough.
ReplyDeleteMost of the minority types don't vote, so what difference does it make to them?
ReplyDeleteDeb Hermann will have to run for Melba Curls seat in 4 years.
ReplyDelete