The redistricting subcommittee of the House of Delegates Committee on Privileges and Elections held a public hearing in Norfolk last night. Nearly 80 people showed up for the hearing, more than double, I’m told, that of the earlier hearing in Roanoke. Members of the committee in attendance were Delegates Chris Jones (chair), Jackson Miller, Rosalyn Dance, Johnny Joannou, and Algie Howell. After opening remarks by Jones, Dr. Debbie DiCroce, president of Tidewater Community College, the host for the hearing, offered greetings. Mayor Paul Fraim did the same, but also offered remarks on what he hopes the committee will consider in drawing its plans.
Speaker after speaker – more than 25 of them – asked for similar things: the establishment of a non-partisan or bipartisan commission on redistricting, maintaining communities of interest, not carving up localities between districts. It was a rare show of local bipartisanship, as local Democrats and Republicans asked for the same things. Several speakers mentioned the additional costs of having House hearings separate from those of the Senate. (Senate schedule pdf)
As is typical in these hearings, the committee did not interact with the speakers. Personally, I hate these kind of hearings for that very reason. Engaging the citizens actually should include some instant feedback from the decision-makers. But it’s kind of like watching a car wreck: you can’t help it.
I had not planned to speak last night at all, but I couldn’t help myself. Yes, I know it falls on deaf ears but I had to make a plea for letting the voters choose their representatives and not the other way around. It was a point that only one other speaker made, and I felt it needed to be heard again.
A court reporter recorded all of the events and I’m told the transcript should be available on the redistricting website in a week or so.
The Senate comes to Hampton Roads on December 2, 2010. That public hearing will be held at 7pm at the The Forum, Building A, Tidewater Community College (120 Campus Drive, Portsmouth, VA).
If you are unable to attend any of the public hearings but would like to send written comments, you can do so by email, or fax to (804) 692-0621, or by snail mail to: Scott Maddrea
Deputy Clerk, Committee Operations
Virginia House of Delegates
State Capitol
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Glad you made it and certainly agree with your remarks. And very glad to hear that those on both sides of the aisle were in favor of more rational districting. And I had to work so could not make it, but thanks for the Twitter feed while you were there. That was good.
And I am also distressed at the lack of interaction and know that keeps people away. They don’t think their opinion counts.
Our districts should look more like squares and rectangles than an octopus. Plain and simple. But I’ll probably be dead before that ever happens.
And … btw … if you don’t have plans this evening, drop by The New Belmont at 6pm for the “beer summit”. Just a little get together of regular commenters on PilotOnline. Not sure of the attendance yet, but Dr. Tabor, myself, and hopefully more than a few more.
Thanks for the invite. Sorry I can’t make it – maybe next time.