A week before state lawmakers convene to consider redistricting, Forsyth County residents have added their voice to the map that will govern elections for the next decade.
The County Commission adopted a redistricting map Tuesday reflecting some of the ideas offered the night before when close to 100 people weighed in on the issue at a public forum sponsored by local Republican, Democratic and Tea Party officials.
“We ought to keep Forsyth County whole,” said resident Dan Coleman, referring to the current congressional map that separates the southern tip of the county into another district.
Public sentiment was unanimous on that point. The political triumvirate proposed a congressional district that includes Forsyth, Cherokee, Hall, Dawson, Lumpkin and part of Habersham counties. Party representatives said this tier of counties have more in common, such as water and growth, than with other core metro Atlanta counties.
Public sentiment was more divided over the county’s proposed redistricting of commission districts.
“There’s something fishy about this,” said resident Richard Ward, a resident alluding to a proposal that moves the 1st District east over a highway to include a strip of land with only a few residents.
“Why make that change?” he asked.
Forsyth’s proposed district map looks roughly the same as the current map adopted 10 years ago, but there are some shifts in the five commission and school board districts.
For one thing, District 5 now hugs the western shore of Lake Lanier so tightly that Commissioner Jim Boff may have to wear waders while campaigning. Moreover, unless he has a boat, he will have to cross into two other districts to cover his entire constituency. Boff is not pleased but voted to accept the map as drawn, saying it probably wasn't worth the fight.
“I don’t like it all, but I can’t think of a legal reason to stop it,” he said. “I’ve got to teach fish to vote.”
Redistricting, on a local level, has not generated the same public fervor in other metro counties.
The closest is DeKalb County, where the issue is under discussion in its planning committee. District 7 Commissioner Stan Watson hosted a public forum on the subject Monday evening and has two more scheduled for later this month.
Tiffany Davis, spokesperson for Fulton County, said the County Commission had not formally considered the issue. Likewise, Gwinnett County has not brought the matter up before the full commission but is seeking public input.
Cobb Commission Chairman Tim Lee has submitted a proposed redistricting map to state reapportionment officials for review. Commissioners are likely to vote on the map this month and submit it to the Legislature.
About the Author
