White Wacist Wade Writes

Dear Commission Members,

I write to those members whose email addresses are in my possession and do not intentionally omit other members from receiving this communication. You may share my comments with them if you desire.

I want to express my opinions on the formulation and configuration of council districts in the City of Troy.
My background in formulating voting districts is extensive having served 18 years as the county's Commissioner of Elections where I have been involved with (or consulted) the reconfiguration of boundaries for Congressional, State Assembly and local district lines.

As a nearly lifelong resident of Troy, I am also well acquainted with its neighborhoods and the need to preserve their identity as much as possible in drawing council district lines.

As the Democratic Party Chair, I asked the City Council majority to consider redrawing district boundaries and presented plans for their review with several options. Using census data, I think this attempt was made around 2009 or 2010 but I'm not certain of the date.  My objective was for the city to adopt a fair apportionment of Troy's neighborhoods as well as creating a majority/minority council district.  At that time, the City Council was comprised of nine white males---no women, no minorities.  Thus, the importance  for creating a city council more reflective of Troy's population was then and still remains a concern to me.

The proposals were considered but quietly scuttled by three councilmen, all Democrats, who teamed up with Republican colleagues who were automatically opposed to the plan  for apparently obstructive reasons.  Two of the three Democrats were district representatives who were afraid of facing a change or the possibility of facing a Republican incumbent in a newly merged council district.  Regardless, the proposal died as did the opportunity for the city to correct an injustice created when a prior Republican council majority diluted minority voting strength by extending the 2nd Council District farther north to accommodate their nominee.

Using software with detailed map and demographic data, we tried several configurations to create a minority council district.  In the end, I can state with reasonable certainty that a majority/minority district can best be attained by dividing the city into seven council districts instead of six.  I realize your draft proposal calls for six districts but ask that you consider a proposal for seven districts with a district included for the city's growing minority population.

There is precedence in Troy for a seven member city council district configuration.  When the charter form of government was implemented following the 1963 election, the city was divided into seven council districts. Those seven members elected their leader (known as Mayor) from among their members.  The council later changed to an entirely at large system of representation followed by a combination of at large and district representatives.  None of the city's former arrangements provided  for a majority/minority district.

Your committee now has the opportunity to adapt to 21st century application of voting district lines by taking a progressive step toward inclusion.  Recent judicial decisions in neighboring communities support creation and retention of minority districts.  Troy should be in compliance or risk facing similar litigation.

My other suggestion to improve council district boundaries is to scrap the current council district maps and start "from scratch" rather than modifying current boundaries.  Some of the district lines are remnants of "band aid" fixes to assure reelection of incumbents in the past.  Troy would be better served with a true reconfiguration of council districts that represent neighborhoods and local identity.  Consider the following suggestions for council districts which are easier to balance by dividing the population into seven districts than into six:

1.  A Lansingburgh district;
2..  A South Troy district (South Troy starts at Canal Ave.and should include Griswold Hgts. and Hillsview Hgts.);
3.  A downtown district to include Washington Park;
4.  A minority district;
5.  An Albia/East Side district;
6.  A Frear Park/Beman Park/Sycaway district;
7.  A northeastern district to represent the burgeoning population along the Oakwood Avenue corridor and Gurley Avenue developments.  Its western  boundary could be set at the bike path proceeding easterly to the Brunswick line. Planned growth in this area was not accounted for in prior council district realignments.  While the area is now part of the two Lansingburgh council districts, it is not Lansingburgh and qualifies for a new district which could also include contiguous areas such as Frear Park, Miami Beach, Harris Drive, and Hialeah Drive.

I hope your commission will view these proposals with an objective approach and include them in your discussions.  Kindly let me know if you have any questions or would like to obtain "institutional knowledge" background on the current council district lines.
Sincerely,

Thomas W. Wade