By Tashi McQueen,
AFRO Political Writer,
tmcqueen@afro.com
Baltimore has entered one of the most important seasons, as it is time for redistricting. Every 10 years, the Baltimore City Council map has to be redrawn and agreed upon by the mayor and the council to ensure even population distribution throughout the city.
“The City Charter states that the council must take action within 60 days of the mayor providing the map to us,” said City Council President Nick Mosby, to attendees of the first redistricting town hall. “We wanted to provide as much opportunity for folks to come and provide feedback to us as quickly as possible for the council to do its legislative job.”
By Nov. 17, the council will decide to either make amendments to the proposed plan, adopt it as is or adopt a completely different redistricting map.
Since Sept. 18, when Mayor Brandon M. Scott introduced his redistricting plan, the council has held five public meetings and feedback sessions to help the council decide.
“Redistricting is a foundation of our democracy,” said Mosby. “That’s why we are making sure we have multiple opportunities to speak on this issue.”
Many residents from District 14 spoke of their concern about losing Clifton Park to District 12 after years of advocacy for the communal space.
“Keep Clifton Park in the 14th district because the 14th has the deep knowledge of the park and has the momentum for its improvement,” said John Ciekot of Civic Works, a non-profit community organization. “I believe that the residents of the 14th District will continue to speak for the preservation of Clifton Park’s open space, new uses of the Gardener’s Cottage and the other assets of Clifton Park.”
Dr. Doris Minor-Terell, president of the non-profit organization Broadway East Community and CDC, argued that District 12 residents who live near the park also desire to have influence over the park.
Several community members addressed concerns about their neighborhoods being cut in half and losing voting influence.
Hoes Heights is currently located in District 7 but would be split into District 6 by the proposed map.
“Baltimore is a city of neighborhoods. Communities should be kept together,” said Katie Kelley, a resident of Hoes Heights. “If we are put into Council District 6 with Roland Park, we will 100 percent lose any voice that we have to make decisions for our neighborhood, and we will be separated from our neighbors in the rest of Hoes Heights.”
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