independent redistricting commission 2011

Members of the 2011 Independent Redistricting Commission include:
Henrik N. Dullea, Chair, City of Ithaca
Linda R. Duttweiler, Town of Ithaca
John C. Gutenberger, Town of Lansing
Michael R. Hattery, Town/ Village of Dryden
Margaret Hobbie, City of Ithaca
Daniel D. Konowalow, Town of Lansing
Eric Lerner, City of Ithaca
Sarah Reistetter-Akiri, Vice-Chair, Town of Ithaca
Jeffrey B. True, Town/ Village of Lansing.
During the latter part of 2010, and early 2011, the Government Operations Committee of the Tompkins County Legislature discussed the redistricting process with the goal of recommending to the full Legislature the process to be used for reapportioning legislative districts. Among others things the Government Operations Committee investigated was proposals at the state level for legislation to create independent redistricting for Congressional and New York State legislative districts. It has also listened to a presentation from the chairman of the City of Ithaca’s Charter Committee, which was tasked with dealing with reapportionment of Common Council districts (“wards”) in that municipality. Its process may be affected by decisions made for County legislative districts. The City of Ithaca is the only other municipality in Tompkins County that elects its governing body from geographic districts.
The Government Operations Committee came to consensus that the Tompkins County Legislature should appoint an Independent Redistricting Commission to prepare a reapportionment plan to present to the Legislature for approval and the recommendation was adopted by the full Legislature by Resolution No. 2011-49, Adopted on April 5, 2011.
In addition to the creating the Commission, a Memorandum Regarding Proposed Tompkins County Redistricting Commission provided background information and outlines the Charge to the Commission.

Procedure for Adoption: The Commission shall submit its Plan (and any alternatives) to the Government Operations Committee, which shall then forward it to the full Legislature in the form of a proposed local law or laws. Following a public hearing, the Legislature may adopt a local law, or may refer the Plan (and/or alternatives) back to the Commission with written comments. That shall only be done one time. Upon receipt, the Commission shall consider the Legislature’s comments and may make revisions to the Plan (and/or alternatives) and return the same to the Government Operations Committee for re-transmittal to the Legislature, or the Commission may decline to make changes and so advise the Legislature in writing with its reasons. In that event, the Legislature shall proceed to adopt a Plan for redistricting.
Time of Completion:
(a) The Commission shall recommend a preferred Plan of apportionment to the appropriate Committee of the Tompkins County Legislature no later than March 1, 2012. Although not required to do so, the Commission may also submit up to two alternate plans.
(b) Upon acceptance of a Plan of Apportionment by the Tompkins County Legislature, the work of the Commission shall be deemed complete and the Commission disbanded.

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