Five Redistricting Forums Set for June

(Redistricting Forum Flier)

May 27, 2011

Residents will have five opportunities in June to voice their opinions on how Tulare County’s supervisorial district lines should be drawn.

Tulare County supervisorial districts are reviewed and redrawn every 10 years based upon the United States Census information. These district boundaries define the political representation on the Board of Supervisors. 

Redistricting Committee Chairman Dick Eckhoff said the public is welcome to provide input on the drawing of new district boundaries. The committee is seeking suggestions from residents regarding specific placement of the boundaries. The Board of Supervisors will make the final decision on how the lines will be drawn.

The Tulare County 2011 Advisory Committee on Redistricting will host the public forums at the following locations:

Time: 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.
Date: Monday, June 13
Place: 210 Connect Meeting Hall. 210 W. Center Ave. Visalia, CA 93291

Time: 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, June 15
Place: Woodlake Union High School – PAB Hall. 300 W. Whitney. Woodlake, CA 93286

Time: 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, June 21
Place: Exeter Memorial Hall. 324 W. Kaweah. Exeter, CA 93221

Time: 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, June 22
Place: Barlett Middle School. Porterville, CA 93257

Time: 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.
Date: Thursday, June 23
Place: Tulare Public Library – Council Chambers. 475 N. “M” St. Tulare, CA 93274

Eckhoff said the public is encouraged to present comments about the community they live in, describing the kind of people who live there, important issues, community centers and community history.

Free refreshments and child care will be provided for attendees. Spanish translation will also be provided.

These series of forums will mark a total of eight public meetings regarding the redrawing of district lines. At three separate public meetings, residents were asked in April and May to provide their input on what criteria should be used to draw Tulare County’s supervisorial lines. Examples of criteria that were considered include: topography; geography; continuity and compactness; avoid dividing cities; and avoid dividing urban growth areas, among others.

For more information on these public meetings, please contact Tulare County Analyst Carol Pightling at 559/636-5005.

All information regarding the redistricting process and meetings can be found at http://www.co.tulare.ca.us/government/redistricting/default.asp.