Councilor Linehan Announces Additional Redistricting Hearing at Mattapan Library on November 10th

(BOSTON, MA, November 1, 2011)

The Boston City Council’s Committee on Census & Redistricting has held five community hearings to date to discuss the redistricting process at locations throughout the City over the months of September and October. District 2 City Councilor and Committee Chair Bill Linehan called for the hearings in order to solicit feedback from community leaders and residents active in their neighborhoods. He has added one additional hearing to be held on Thursday, November 10th at the Mattapan Brach Library.


The Census & Redistricting Committee is charged with reviewing the results of the U.S. Census figures, overseeing voter participation levels and the process of redistricting. The Committee held a public hearing at City Hall in May but Councilor Linehan felt the need to bring the Council to the neighborhoods and gather more input from residents in advance of any changes to the current Council boundaries.


“It is imperative that these sessions are attended by a diverse group of residents” Linehan explains. “Folks should come to voice their opinion and state criteria they feel is important to drawing a new district map.”


Given the 2010 Census results and the current delineation of Council districts, it is clear that many neighborhoods will be impacted and likely to see changes to the current City Council boundaries. While Boston experienced a significant population growth from 2000, up nearly 5% (589,141- 617,594), only five of nine districts located in the northern sections of the City saw the increases. The new district map will be in effect for the next ten years.

Councilor Linehan encourages all residents to make every effort to attend this additional hearing and offer testimony related to the redistricting process:

Thursday, November 10th 6-8pm, Mattapan Branch Library, 1350 Blue Hill Ave.


 

_____________________________________