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Wednesday February 22, 2012

Redistrict? Council wants to eliminate wards

Submitted by Jerry Smith on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 22:59
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By SUZANNE ROOK srook@northfieldnews.com

THE PLAN
The council approved a timeline for redistricting which gives it some leeway if it runs into a time crunch. According to the plan, the council would approve a new map of districts on March 20. The process for completing the maps will include an open house and a public hearing to take residents’ comments. Dates for those haven’t been set.

CLARIFICATION: This story has been modified to more accurately reflect the the council's decision about maintaining wards in the city.

A discussion about how Northfield should go about redistricting took a left turn Tuesday as the city council approved a proposal to consider doing away with its four wards and elect all its councilors at-large.

The council is now composed of four councilors representing wards, two elected at-large and the mayor.

“I don’t think we have a need for wards at all,” said Patrick Ganey, who represents Ward Four. “I feel we could do a much better job with at-large representatives.”

Councilors Suzie Nakasian and Erica Zweifel said their positions as ward representatives foster relationships between council member and residents.

Rhonda Pownell, who at one time suggested doing away with wards, said she’s since changed her mind, agreeing with Nakasian and Zweifel, saying that electing councilors only at-large eliminates the personal connection residents can have with their ward rep.

The council has several options when it comes to doing away with wards. With the number of wards spelled out in the city’s charter, the council needs to follow state statute to make any modifications.

The council can ask the Charter Commission to recommend the change so it can vote on the plan, but that method could make it difficult to meet the April 3 deadline for approval of new district maps.

The council could also put a referendum before voters in November with changes to take effect following the 2014 election.

Having discussions about eliminating wards while considering redistricting irritated Nakasian, who said parallel discussions would be “prejudicial;” Zweifel added that they would “feel disingenuous.”

Ganey defended his proposal, saying that the time and energy needed to redivide the city into voting wards is too great and that the city isn’t large enough to have sections of town with similar issues.

“I’d like to avoid the redistricting process,” he said.

— Suzanne Rook can be reached at 507-645-1113.

Comments

Comments

#1 fair characterization

Submitted by spenditall on Tue, 01/31/2012 - 12:41.

I think that despite some people's concerns that this article didn't reflect the council's intent, this article hit the nail on the head.

If those on the council didn't have some interest in this, they wouldn't approve a proposal to discuss it.

Mr Ganey came right out and stated his opinon that we shouldn't have wards any more. I hope the people in his ward are paying attention.

I also agree with the NNews' editorial that this would merely provide an opportunity for certain groups in town to essentially take over the council by fielding a large number a candidates.

This is a thinly disguised effort to remove all resistance to certain ideas.

Then they would advance the agendas that so far they have been unable to pass, despite their efforts.

This would be a terrible move for our democratic process and for the overall good of Northfield.

#2 Keep Wards Local

Submitted by Dean Sorenmann on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 12:09.

I doubt if any council members can even name the neighborhood I reside. Not one has ever canvassed my neighborhood since I have lived in Northfield. I think keeping the ward system is the way to go.