A second and final reading is scheduled Dec. 13 with a public forum planned preceding the reading for input.
The redistricting keeps incumbents Kimberly Bookert (District 3), Lee Dumas (District 4) and Judy Albert (District 6) from being unseated. “I like that District 4 stays basically intact,” Dumas said.
“Geographical changes to District 3 moves it more to the south. Map 2 keeps the districts relatively the same by roads,” Mayor Rick Danner said.
Danner reviewed each of the four maps scenarios and invited council to comment or voice concerns. All council members commented and agreed on Map 2.
“District 3 actually mirrors before the previous recall,” Danner said. “Old becomes new again while it stretches districts.”
Danner said he wasn’t surprised at the consensus. “I’m not surprised by virtue of the fact we had several opportunities to address changes. Jay’s district stays the same and Judy’s district shrinks.”
Jay Arrowood (District 1) said he favored Maps 1, 2 and 3. I liked that it compacted District 1.”
Redistricting is required every 10 years to parallel the census count. Greer virtually doubled its population in the past decade to 25,515 reported in 2010. That count showed a wide deviation in four of the six districts. The ideal target number is 4,200 residents per district.
Danner and councilmen Wayne Griffin (District 2) and Wryley Bettis (District 5), as an ad hoc committee approved by council, visited the Office of Research and Statistics for the South Carolina Budget and Control Board in Columbia to find ways to balance the city’s districts.
District 6, with its population of 8,413 before redistricting, had to be halved to its present 4.292. Map 2 shows the districts with population, deviation population and deviation percentage.
Upon council approval, the redistricting map is submitted to the Justice Department where it has 60 days to approve or deny. A deviation of fewer than 5 percent is suggested and Greer falls under that percentage in all Districts.
The court ordered constitutional requirement requires one person, one vote and adheres to the 1965 Voting Rights Act and its amendments and court decisions. Districts must be contiguous. Requirements are mandated for majority-minority districts
Early in the process Perry Williams encouraged council to “draw district lines that is best for the city and not the incumbents.” And Curtis Askew challenged city council to be transparent in making redistricting information available to the public.
Council’s transparency was favorable to the public viewing the maps at City Hall and on its website. Public forums have been held preceding the past two council meetings with council making itself available to address concerns. There were none.