Redistricting Defense

Please allow me to take this opportunity to respond to your editorial regarding redistricting (“Worst-Case Example of Political Shenanigans,” July 15).

Your attack of the environmental neighborhood map disappointed me. I could not automatically support the redistricting advisory board’s map when political consultants, lawyers, land-use attorneys and ex-politicians with their own agenda dominated the process. In fact, out of all their public meetings, only eight were held in the communities and a total of only 100 people out of our 1.4 million residents attended.

What’s worse, the advisory board’s proposed map protects certain incumbents--not our neighborhoods. Their map is anti-environment, pro-development and anti-district elections. It dumps development into one sprawling Interstate 15 district stretching over 30 miles, isolating that council member and those constituents from City Hall. It guarantees reelection for pro-developer incumbents and protects their interests at the expense of the neighborhoods I have vowed to keep from harm. Scripps Ranch is one of those neighborhoods.

Under redistricting laws, each new council district must be of roughly equal population. To achieve this, District 5 had to lose nearly 20,000 of its residents no matter what map was approved.

I intend to protect Scripps Ranch and any other neighborhood facing threats to its environment and its representation at City Hall. Maps do not change my priorities.

LINDA BERNHARDT

5th District Council Member