Residents in District 1 have overwhelmingly asked the Mayor and Council to keep the existing neighborhood boundaries together in District 1. You can read more about the redistricting proposals here on my blog.
As of this afternoon (5 pm), 53 (fifty-three) residents have submitted written comments to the Mayor and Council on redistricting. The City Council will discuss the matter at tonight’s meeting.
Thank you all for writing to us.
I also want to thank the members of the Redistricting Commission for their hard work as the City continues to work on redistricting. The community’s concerns are related to factors such as the redistricting criterion and the increase in the housing population. The Redistricting Commission members are smart and honest members of the community. They did their best to develop the proposed maps based on the Council-given charge and the criterion they decided to work on.
I am including the residents’ messages below, redacting their names and addresses.
1. Concerning the Redistricting of District 1
I am writing to voice a pressing concern regarding the proposed redistricting of district one. As a resident of the district, I strongly oppose the proposal as it will significantly fragment cohesive neighborhoods in the southern region.
‘Furthermore, this decision would jeopardize a core principle in the city charter dedicated to ensuring the stability and unity of neighborhoods for the sake of communal advocacy and goals.
I would greatly appreciate your consideration regarding this matter, and urge the mayor and council to revisit the stakes of fragmenting a long-time neighborly community for the sake of a voter criterion that inadvertently penalizes the populace for actively engaging in their civil right.
Thank you for your time and efforts,
2. District 1 “Please Keep Our Neighborhoods Together”
As a resident of district 1, my family and I have enjoyed the diversity and cohesion of our district between neighbors. This proposed division is a disadvantage to our community since it will take away businesses that enrich the district’s economic value.
The major disadvantage will be the vote weight; taking away these sectors will demote the district’s strength and influence to imply important changes which can benefit the district.
Please Keep Our Neighborhoods Together.
3. Redistricting proposals
Dear College Park City Council:
Thank you for establishing this year’s Redistricting Commission to ensure equal and adequate representation in our City. And thanks to the Commission for its proposals to address a number of factors. The City Charter specifies the number of criteria for districts, which may at times, compete against one another. So the Commission deserves our appreciation for trying to address these criteria in its proposals.
One somewhat problematic Charter criterion is that districts be based partly on actual recent voters. The 2022 proposals apparently would address this criterion by removing a large portion of District 1 because the district has such a high voting turnout. This is problematic because removing this large portion would fail to address the Charter requirement to consider “commonality of local economic and social interests, preservation of the cores of prior districts, geographic compactness of the districts, and respect for neighborhoods.”
I would suggest that the City regard this latter criterion as more important than equally dividing based on actual recent voters. Elected Councilmembers should represent all residents, not just recent voters, and Councilmembers can represent residents more effectively if the districts are geographically compact and respect neighborhoods. All the proposed maps remove District 1 neighborhoods east of Route 1 and north of Duval Field while adding neighborhoods west of Route 1.
These adjustments would stretch District 1 far more than necessary, adding neighborhoods with less in common with District 1 than the proposed removed neighborhoods. So I hope Council will consider rebalancing these criteria and find a way to approve the proposed redistricting that keeps districts such as District 1 compact and neighborhoods together.
Thank you.
4. To whom it may concern:
As a resident of Daniels Park, I believe it is in the best interest of myself, my neighbors, and the entire North College Park area to continue to be represented as one district. I understand the reasons for the proposed maps, however, I feel they will dilute the representation of our area in a meaningful and negative way.
I respect the commission’s work thus far, but I believe they need to reconsider and address the oversite. Please keep our neighborhood together!
Thank you,
5. District ReZoning
Dear Council,
I am writing to you to express my disappointment in finding out that College Park city council has decided to go against its own charter recommendation of keeping districts together. Instead of keeping communities together, unfortunately, communities are going to be divided. I feel this will have a negative impact on communities in college park.
Sincerely
6. Redistricting
It’s going to hurt neighborhoods and needs to be stopped. It’s not well thought out. Leave things as they are
7. City Redistricting
I’m writing to express my opposition and disappointment in the new redistricting plans for the City of College Park. I am currently a resident of District 1. In all of the redistricting plans under consideration my wife and I will be moved into District 2. We know rather little about District 2 and do not even recall who represents that district. We want to stay in District 1.
Our house, a half-block south of Hollywood Road, is on the edge of the new district boundary in most of the plans. District 1 is a cohesive community. It would be a dreadful mistake to break it up so dramatically as the proposed maps would. The District 1 council members, Fazlul Kabir and Kate Kennedy, are extremely responsive to our community’s interests and proactive in addressing our needs. We have a great appreciation and trust for our District 1 representation.
Please maintain the cohesion and integrity of District 1 so that we can continue to trust and appreciate our city representation and city government.
8. Let us keep the neighborhoods in north College Park together in District 1
Dear Respected Mayor and Council Members,
For decades, most of the north College Park neighborhoods have remained part of District 1. Unfortunately, recent redistricting maps have reduced District 1’s neighborhood boundaries by taking two significant neighborhoods (Daniels Park and Oaks Spring) from its southern residential border. This division is concerning because the City Charter (https://ecode360.com/12157705) asks to keep the core of the neighborhoods together.
Let us keep the neighborhoods in north College Park together in District 1
This way, the neighbors living together in one cohesive community can stay together and advocate for their shared causes and goals.
Respectfully Submitted
9. College Park District 1 and 2 redistrcting.
Dear Redistricting Commission,
There is a big difference between the current district lines and the current lines. These lines look the Commission was trying the new development. Here are my opinions:
1. Yes, including Autoville in district 1. These citizens will have better representation concerning issues related to Route 1 and Cherry Hill Road.
2. There should not be a long extension of apartments on the west side of route, particularly south of Greenbelt Road. Those apartments should be part of district 2, to get better representation.
3. District 1 has consistently has been the district with of the most voters who vote in city elections. The proposed district’s transfers several streets to districts 2. This lessons city wide representation to issues related to district 1 and North College Park.
4. The University of Maryland- College Park Commissioners has no citizens serving on the Commission, just a member of the council. There should be both a Council member and a citizen on this commission. Thus, not allowing citizens full representation in matters relating to the city and little consideration to North College Park. The need for full representation from district 1, with lines drawn closer to the current lines, is made necessary, due to this issue.
5. Does the Council have data on how many UMD students, particularly undergraduate students, vote in city elections and attend Council meetings?
Sincerely,
10. Voter & Resident Input-District 1 Neighborhoods in North College Park
Good Afternoon!
As a Registered Voter & 71+ Years Resident in District 1 of College Park, I am writing to provide my input on the matter of removing Neighborhoods from District 1 in North College Park.
I AM AGAINST THIS PROPOSED ACTION!
For decades, most of the North College Park neighborhoods have remained part of District 1. Unfortunately, recent redistricting maps have reduced District 1’s neighborhood boundaries by taking two significant neighborhoods (Daniels Park and Oaks Spring) from its southern residential border. I am very concerned about this division because the City Charter (https://ecode360.com/12157705) asks to keep the core of the neighborhoods together. This way, the neighbors living together in one cohesive community can stay together and advocate for their shared causes and goals.
In these unsettling times in our country where there is so much division, let us remember the words of the ‘Pledge of Allegiance of the United States’ that say:
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
I believe we all need to take these words/this pledge to heart, to first practice them at the municipal level before we reach out in the higher orders of government, and to remember the Words of Jesus about Love and the two greatest Commandments: (Mark 12: 29-31)
29Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!
30You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
31The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Sincerely,
11. Division plan District 1-TOTALLY OPPOSING THIS
Mayor and council:
The city should not be allowed to just make decisions about the city effecting residents without their – majority consent.
In contrary. It seems that the city makes those non “first check with their residents’ opinions” BEFORE ANY decisions are being made.
Now after the city shares what they Are going to do… so now we – residents – have to fight to maintain what’s in place – what they originally have not agreed or given a chance to take a vote FIRST.
How is this possible? What is this based on for the city to decide the city, and who is responsible for this?
And how are we going to stop this????
I OPPOSE THIS PLAN TOOOTAALLYYY
Please share
Thank you.
12. CP District 1 Redistricting
The proposed redistricting for District 1 looks suspiciously gerrymandered. Why are you combining two disparate neighborhoods; one is largely single-family homes, and the other is commercial and apartments. I’m not sure which group is getting buried by the other, but I imagine we will have different interests, especially with regards to access to downtown CP (apartments are probably more likely to go to CP, while the SFHs have easier access to Beltsville) and the university (I assume the apartments are heavy with students, while the SFHs have more “working adults”)
Maybe there’s nothing nefarious going on, and this is simply the only way to make the counts work, but this looks almost as bad as the old MD District 4.
13. Redistricting Issues of Distict 1.
Respected Council members and Mayor Patrick,
Please keep the area of District 1 as it is. By redistricting and reducing the area of District 1 will affect our common concerns and goals. Thanks for the time and understanding.
14. District 1 !!!!!
I’ve been a College Park man for over 40 years. Here District 1 neighbors help neighbors, I’d love to see District 1 is remain the same as it doesn’t take us away. I live across from Duvall field; whenever I look across the street is the most beautiful view of the children playing and yelling..please don’t take them out of district 1 I am proud and happy to live in College Park. Thank you for reading and reconsidering in this matter.
15. District 1 Redistrict
Dear Mayor Wojahan and City Council,
I write to voice my support for a redistricting plan that keeps Oak Springs as part of District 1. When I think of my neighborhood I always think north, not south. My friends and neighbors and the businesses I frequent exist mostly as part of District 1. While I also frequent District 2, District 1 is where I spend my time and proper representation around the issues of our district can be directed to council person Kabir. With the current redistricting plan the councilperson who would represent me would have no jurisdiction within the neighborhood where my family and I live and play. I urge the council to maintain Oak Springs as part of District 1.
16. Redistricting
Hello: I currently live in District 1 in North College Park. Apparently, the plan is to change my district to District Two. This makes no sense to me. Now most folks living in my district will be south of University Boulevard and are bound to have different priorities purely based on geography. I’ve been very happy with my local representatives (for whom we just voted), so I am not in favor of this change.
17. Boundary line
I would like to express my opinion to keep the boundary lines intact with no changes. We want to keep our College Park united not divided
18. City Redistricting
I’m writing to express my opposition and disappointment in the new redistricting plans for the City of College Park. I am currently a resident of District 1. In all of the redistricting plans under consideration, my wife and I will be moved into District 2. We know rather little about District 2 and do not even recall who represents that district. We want to stay in District 1.
Our house, a half-block south of Hollywood Road, is on the edge of the new district boundary in most of the plans. District 1 is a cohesive community. It would be a dreadful mistake to break it up so dramatically as the proposed maps would. The District
1 council members, Fazlul Kabir and Kate Kennedy are extremely responsive to our community’s interests and proactive in addressing our needs. We have a great appreciation and trust for our District 1 representation.
Please maintain the cohesion and integrity of District 1 so that we can continue to trust and appreciate our city representation and city government.
Sincerely yours,
19. Redistricting College Park FEEDBACK
Hello City Council et al
☆ I disagree that there is a need to revise Districts and suggest waiting until all the new apartments etc are finished being built and filled. Your voters will balance out (:>)
If you cannot stop this Redistricting:
☆ Can residents Vote on these proposed changes? (rather than just commenting)
☆ Please expand your reach out to Residents so that everyone is aware of these proposed maps and the impacts
☆ Ensure feedback is provided by a significant and representative percentage of Residents in each District
Please follow the Charter and prevent these dividing maps!
☆ Please get maps that keep the core neighborhoods together and represent shared interests – particularly District 1
☆ Do Not move Hollywood into any other District – keep it District 1
☆ Do Not merge Hollywood with the Cherry Hill Road traffic nonsense etc.
20. Please keep the District 1 of College Park as it is
I have been a resident of District 1 of College Park for about 20 years now. I would like to let you know that I am firmly against any attempt to change the boundary lines of the district 1 of our great city.
Please leave the District 1 of College Park as it is.
Thanks
21. District 1 redistricting
Mayor and Councilmembers, The current redistricting plan of District 1 divides our neighborhood and our common interests. I would like to join Councilman Kabir in voicing my opposition to the current redistricting plans. As much of District 1 should stay intact as possible. And the new division should have a reasonable geographic/neighborhood justification. Thank you for your time.
22. Recent redistricting maps
Dear Mayor of College Park.
I am really surprised that the city of college park is dividing District1 which looks not good to me, we want to be together. My opinion is to keep the neighborhoods in north college park together in District 1.
Thanks for your attention
23. Redistricting District 1
Dear Respected Mayor and Council Members
The proposed District 1 redistricting will separate the Daniels park and oaks spring neighborhoods from the current neighborhood.
I request that these two neighborhoods are kept in District 1 so that we can keep the current District 1 neighborhood undivided. Keeping the current neighborhood undivided is also aligned with the college park city charter.
Thank you very much
24. Redistricting District 1
Dear Respected Mayor and Council Members
The proposed District 1 redistricting will separate the Daniels park and oaks spring neighborhoods from the current neighborhood.
I request that these two neighborhoods are kept in District 1 so that we can keep the current District 1 neighborhood undivided. Keeping the current neighborhood undivided is also aligned with the college park city charter.
Thank you very much
25. Request to Oppose District 1 Redistricting
Dear Mayor and Council,
I am writing to request that you keep the north College Park neighborhoods together in District 1, rather than splitting off Daniels Park (where I live) and Oaks Spring to merge with neighborhoods further south. I believe the City Charter asks that the core of the neighborhoods be kept together, and I believe this is the right thing to do. Staying in our current district 1 is in our best interests and will keep us as part of the strong community organization of NCPCA. Thanks in advance for putting a stop to this change.
26. Redistricting
Dear College Park Council Members,
Regarding the changes proposed for redistricting, I would like to state that I disagree with the prospect of splitting up the neighborhoods in current District 1. I think it would be in the community’s best interest to keep those neighborhoods together as they have been.
Thank you for your attention,
27. Redistricting Proposal
Dear Mayor and Council,
I am writing to request that this redistricting plan be reassessed. I am sure countless hours were put into this and clearly consultant money was spent but the end result is causing great dissention throughout the city. As a resident of District 1, I will no longer be in District 1, something that is very distressing to me as I have come to rely heavily on my elected officials within my District. And while there is no guarantee that these individuals will remain, for the past 30+ years, I have established a great rapport with my representatives. As have my neighbors who will look at this change as one more reason to no longer be involved in local issues or even remain in the City.
Additionally, based on last week’s meeting, it appears that the residents in District 3 are equally outraged and that the Council/Mayor may be caving to their requests. I can’t help but think that this may result in further ramifications for the city.
And finally, it has been stated that this change is in violation of the current City charter wherein it speaks of keeping neighborhoods cohesive. This change will clearly impact the validity of the charter.
Thank you for considering an alternative change.
28. Redistricting of district 1 — a bad idea
Hi everyone,
Seasons greetings to you all,
Just heard about an attempt at changing the boundaries of our district 1 in College Park. This is essentially a very bad and unpopular proposition. Don’t know what kind of politics is playing a part in this unwise attempt. Please leave the district 1 intact and don’t mess with it.
Thank you.
29. Redistricting
Dear Mayor and Council,
After reviewing the consultants’ and the commissions’ redistricting maps, I must say that I can’t support any of them. In short, while much trouble has gone to preserving District 3, in some of the scenarios, District 1 has been chopped in pieces. I am in full support of the work that the redistricting commission has done. However, I think that if paid consultants were unable to succeed in finding an equitable answer, it is not surprising that a volunteer commission would encounter the same challenge.
Whether we are speaking about D1 or D3, The College Park charter states that other factors must be taken into account such as preserving the core of the existing districts, commonality of local economic and social interest, geographic compactness, and respect for the neighborhood. These factors are all but missing in all the maps regarding D1.
My suggestion: crowd source this.
30. Proposed Redistricting as it relates to District 1
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
As a 43 year resident of the city and specifically a resident of District 1 (Sunnyside), I am writing to advocate in the strongest language possible that ALL of the neighborhoods of North College Park remain in District 1. Unfortunately, recent redistricting maps have reduced District 1’s neighborhood boundaries by taking two significant neighborhoods (Daniels Park and Oaks Spring) from its southern residential border. This division is concerning because the City Charter asks to keep the core of the neighborhoods together. This way, the neighbors living together in one cohesive community can stay together and advocate for their shared causes and goals.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this request.
Sincerely,
31-32. Current Ill-advised Redistricting Maps
Mr Mayor and Members of the College Park City Council:
The recent proposal to re-assign large chunks of existing neighborhoods of District 1 to other districts is bad planning and bad-faith. It will result in deteriorating the integrity and harmonious functioning of those neighborhoods. Any such attempts to impose such ill-advised gerrymandering should be opposed and defeated. Please do your best to assure the social and economic unity currently reflected in those communities. Thanks to Councilman Kabir for bringing this to my attention and thank you for your work in making College Park a better place to live.
31. Above comments echo my thoughts as well.
33. Redistricting
Hello Mayor and Council,
I am writing to express my concerns over the redistricting proposal for the city. District 1 should stay how it is currently. Separating neighbors immediately bordering each other in the proposed redistricting does not make sense. It is important that the neighborhoods that are connected to each other physically also share representation.
34. Redistricting
Hello,
I am writing to let you know that I do not support the proposal from the Redistricting Committee to spit District 1. If you really want to change the district, then that should mean that all of College Park should be revamped. But only after it’s proposed to the residents for their input.
This shouldn’t even be an option or even be considered by the council, as the City Charter C2-2D clearly states that the core of the neighborhood in each district is to be kept together.
Thank you,
35. Comments Regarding Redistricting & District 1
Dear Mayor Wojahn & Council Members,
I live on 49th Ave, one block south of Hollywood Road in current district 1. I have always considered myself to live in the Hollywood neighborhood and tell folks that. I’m upset at the thought of my neighborhood being divided into separate districts by these new plans. I have little in common interest with neighborhoods south of 193. I don’t walk there, know anyone there, etc. I know my neighbors, my council member, my neighborhood. I’m active in communicating issues to my council member, invested in the RI Ave project, have submitted comments on the north college park community center, etc – all of which I anticipated being in my district, and in areas I can and often do walk to. Now that may not be the case. The bus stop I use to go to work every day will no longer be in my district either. That makes no sense to me. When I talk about the safety of that stop and the crossing there, or the sidewalk on Hollywood road that I’ll walk down every day, that shouldn’t be outside my district – I should have a council member I can reach out to for those issues who will be focused on the area that I live in. We have shared interests and shared use of space in our neighborhood and it shouldn’t be split, according to the goals of the city’s charter.
District 1’s mutual interests are also demonstrated by it’s engagement. Engagement should not be penalized by splitting active voters. The idea of active voters being a part of the redistricting is also quite foreign to me, as a city government is meant to serve all who live there, not just registered or even active voters. I’d suggest removing this consideration entirely.
Thank you for your consideration,
36. District One Redistricting
Dear Mayor and College Park City Council–As a long-time resident in District One, I would like to express my disappointment with the plan to redistrict our neighborhood. Please consider keeping the areas of our long-time neighborhood together in District One.
Sincerely,
37. Redristricting plan for College Park District 1
Dear College Park City Council:
I am opposed to the redistricting plan for College Park District 1 for the following reasons:
1) The new plan for District 1 breaks up our neighborhood in North College Park.
2) The new plan for District 1 reeks of Gerrymandering against UMD students because it breaks away two major student housing complexes to include them in District 1.
Sincerely,
38. Redistricting North College Park
Good morning,
I do not understand why the City Council has decided to keep District 3 neighborhoods together; however, they are looking to break up the neighborhood of District 1. This does not make any sense to me. I disagree with the City Council on moving forward to revise aka break up the districts. If the whole idea is to keep neighborhoods together then why would a huge chunk of Oak Springs/Daniels Park be removed from District 1? When I look at the proposed revised district map, it basically looks like the school maps for Paint Branch and Hollywood elementary schools. Makes me wonder what is the purpose of this change. How does this benefit the neighborhood when neighbors are in different districts?!
39. Redistricting district 1
Dear Respected Mayor and Council Members
I do not support the redistricting of College Park District 1.
I would like to keep the neighborhood if district 1 intact.
Thank you very much
40-41 Make Hollywood+Daniels Park+Oak Springs District 1 & Create a New District for the New Developments
Honorable Mayor and Council,
We understand you are considering redrawing the borders of District 1 based on the last Census. Consistent with the City Charter, Article II, section C2-2, we ask you to keep the core of our district together: “When reapportioning the districts, the City shall also consider commonality of local economic and social interests, preservation of the cores of prior districts, geographic compactness of the districts, and respect for neighborhoods.”
The core of District 1 falls east of Route 1, south of I-495, west of the Metrorail tracks, and north of MD 193 (University Boulevard/Greenbelt Road). The core of District 1 includes all of Hollywood and all of Daniels Park. No part of those areas should be taken out of District 1. Both areas have long been within District 1. What impacts the residents of Hollywood also generally impacts the residents of Daniels Park, and what impacts the residents of Daniels Park also generally impacts the residents of Hollywood.
The area within the boundaries of Route 1, I-495, the Metrorail tracks, and MD 193 is a single true neighborhood, and it should be treated like one. It would make no sense to remove any part of Hollywood or Daniels Park from District 1. But it would make sense to add the area called Oak Springs to District 1 because it also falls within the barriers that create the boundaries of our neighborhood.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1rN8FdCdmXm7yoi7zIw_jW3OsfJA&ll=39.004226943221184%2C-76.92126003562927&z=16
Both Hollywood and Daniels Park are primarily made up of older modest single family homes. Oak Springs is also primarily made up of older modest single family homes. As a result, the residents of Oak Springs have similar issues as the residents in Hollywood and Daniels Park.
Residents in Hollywood and Daniels Park (the district core) frequent the merchants in the Hollywood commercial area and enjoy the parks in both areas. Residents of both areas vote and attend meetings at Davis Hall (which lies in Daniels Park). Residents of both areas are similarly impacted by traffic on our neighborhood’s main arteries: Rhode Island Avenue and Edgewood Road. The district core’s primary gateways are: the gateway at Edgewood Road and Route 1, the gateway at Rhode Island Avenue and Odessa Road, the gateway at Rhode Island Avenue and MD 193, the gateway at Cherokee Street and Route 1, the gateway at Fox Street and Route 1, and the gateway at Hollywood Road and Route 1.
Residents of Oak Springs also use Duvall Field. And residents of Oak Springs also frequent the merchants in the Hollywood commercial area. Residents of Oak Springs also use the gateway at Cherokee Street and Route 1. There is no barrier dividing Oak Springs from Daniels Park. What impacts the residents of Oak Springs also generally impacts the residents of Daniels Park, and what impacts the residents of Daniels Park also generally impacts the residents of Oak Springs. Moreover, residents in Hollywood, Daniels Park, and Oak Springs are all impacted by any development occurring within the boundaries of Route 1, I-495, the Metrorail tracks, and MD 193. So it makes sense to include Oak Springs within District 1.
Conversely, it makes no sense to add Daniels Park to District 2. Due to being divided by a major thoroughfare (MD 193), what impacts the residents of Daniels Park and/or Oak Springs does not generally impact the residents of the core of District 2 (Branchville, Berwyn, and Lakeland). Likewise, what impacts the core of the residents of District 2 (Branchville, Berwyn, and Lakeland) does not generally impact the residents of either Daniels Park or Oak Springs.
It makes no logical sense to cut off any portion of Hollywood or Daniels Park from District 1. The residents of the district core would not benefit from such a split. Rather, the residents of the district core would likely be harmed by such a split because, if the core is divided into 2 portions, decisions could be made in the district comprising one portion of the core that could greatly impact the people living in the other portion of the core, but those living in the other portion would not have any say in the decision making process and would likely not even be apprised of the proposals because, despite being in the same neighborhood, they will be in a different district.
We should note here that the Sunnyside neighborhood is not part of the district core. It is separated from the core by I-495. Due to that, what impacts the residents of Sunnyside does not generally impact the residents of the core of District 1 (Hollywood and Daniels Park). Likewise, what impacts the core of the residents of District 1 (Hollywood and Daniels Park) does not generally impact the residents of Sunnyside. Sunnyside is an insular neighborhood with single family homes that are somewhat newer and larger than the homes in Hollywood, Daniels Park, and Oak Springs. Having said that, because there is no other contiguous district, it makes sense to keep Sunnyside in District 1.
Many of the proposals are attempting to add to District 1 the eastern edge of District 4. Due to being divided by a major thoroughfare (Route 1), what impacts the residents of Hollywood does not generally impact the residents of the eastern edge of District 4. Likewise, what impacts the residents of the eastern edge of District 4 does not generally impact the residents of Hollywood. Moreover, while Hollywood is primarily made up of older modest single family homes, the eastern edge of District 4 is primarily made up of new condominiums, apartments, and student housing. The issues relating to older single family homes are very different from the issues relating to new condominiums, apartments, and student housing.
It appears that the problem is that the eastern edge of District 4 has a high population, and, in an effort to equalize populations, the proposals reflect classic gerrymandering efforts to put together areas that are geographically distant, made up of different types of homes (older single family housing versus new condominiums, apartments, and new student housing), and have other distinct differences. There is a simple way of avoiding this extreme gerrymandering: Create a new district for all the condominiums, apartments, and student housing along Route 1 (including Camden). They have more issues in common with each other than with residents in a distant location who live in single family homes.
42. Redistricting
I have lived here since the 90s. Always inside the same district. I am suspicious as to why I am being “redistricted”, considering the current national political climate.
If it’s a population thing then boot the newcomers off cherry hill. I have don’t want to loose my representation and my sense of community!!! You are dividing my street in half! That is insane considering the issues we face like sidewalks, traffic and parking.
NO NO NO NO!!!
I am a voter always have been. Don’t you DARE do this before an election or at the very least make it a referendum I can vote on!
43. Don’t divide District 1
To Whom it May Concern,
Please DON’T divide neighborhoods in District 1. The City Charter C2-2D asks to keep the core of the district together and respect the neighborhoods.
Thank you,
44. District 1 is alive and thriving
Dear sirs and madams on the Council:
We do appreciate your patient and continuing service to the well being of our small town of College Park. We are grateful of your concern for its well being and strongly urge you to avoid amputation of our district 1. We are not broken here, need no surgery; not in need of fixing.
Thank you for your kind consideration for our well being.
May you each be Happy and free from Suffering as well!
45. Rejection to split District 1 in north College Park
Dear Mayor,
My name is ***, I live in District 1 area at ***. I would like to ask you to please keep the neighborhoods in District 1, north College Park to always be together.
Thank you,
46. Comments on Redistricting Commission Proposals
First, let me state that I understand the need for redistricting after each census. However, I firmly believe that any redistricting should keep the Hollywood and Daniels Park neighborhoods in the same district. Having these two neighborhoods in the same district has given residents the chance to identify with their neighbors who are in the same city district regardless of what neighborhood they are in. Residents in the Hollywood and Daniels Park neighborhoods have increasingly become active in city affairs and have formed a bond that has made District 1, as currently configured, a very important voice in city affairs. One of the major goals of the city for many, many years is to foster “One College Park”. Splitting Hollywood and Daniels Park neighborhoods into different districts will have a detrimental effect on achieving this goal and I believe it will set back the progress which has been made in achieving this goal. The city needs to instruct the Redistricting Commission to develop a new redistricting map option which will keep Hollywood and Daniels Park in the same city district. Including the active voter information in how redistricting the city as a major factor in redistricting, in my opinion, penalizes those residents who want to express their concerns and make their opinion know by exercising their right to vote. This division also goes against the City Charter $C2-2D, which asks to keep the core of the neighborhoods together. “Active voters” should not be a major factor consideration in the redistricting process. The city redistricting process should be based primarily on population as the numerical voting criteria. Although there are new developments planned or under construction, population information for those developments is unknown and the redistricting process should not try to predict the future – only use the existing information from the 2020 census. Future censuses will handle those developments and should be addressed when the information is available from those future censuses.
When I bought my North College Park house in 1972, I was only aware of the Hollywood neighborhood. In fact, my house was listed by the real estate company as being in Hollywood. It was only around 2000 that I became aware of Daniels Park and now I’m not sure if my house is in Hollywood or in Daniels Park. Part of the confusion is a result that I haven’t found any specific definition of what comprises Hollywood or even Daniels Park.
General comment: In all the redistricting documents I’ve seen, there are many references to different city neighborhoods but nowhere is there any specific definition of what the boundaries are for each city neighborhood. I haven’t found this in any city documents either. I attended the first public meeting on redistricting and was totally confused as to what areas of College Park were being mentioned when neighborhoods were mentioned only by name. A critical item in whatever is the final report of the Redistricting Commission must include a specific definition of what comprises each neighborhood – one must not assume the residents know where the various neighborhoods are when their names are mentioned.
47. Please Keep us United
Dear Mayor and Council,
I live in the Hollywood neighborhood of District 1 and I am very concerned that you are proposing to divide our district 1 neighborhoods into sections. We are one community and we should not be divided into parts. This is against the City Charter.
Please keep us United and do not divide us.
Sincerely
48. Please reject the division
Dear Mayor and Council,
The City Charter asks to consider the “commonality of local economic and social interests, preservation of the cores of prior districts, geographic compactness of the districts, and respect for neighborhoods.” Unfortunately, the proposed maps do not respect this guidance as district 1 is being cut into sections.
Please oppose these maps and keep our community United.
49. To Whom It May Concerned
Hello Mayor & City Council
I live in the Hollywood neighborhood of District 1. The other neighborhoods in my district are Daniels Park and Oaks Spring. I found it very painful that these two neighborhoods will not be part of our district anymore. There are no significant boundaries between our neighborhoods. Many neighbors do not know where Hollywood ends, and Daniels Park starts. We think all of District 1 is one community of north College Park.
I found that my district will be divided by our neighborhoods. This is not acceptable. Please work to keep the neighbors together.
Thank you for your time.
50. Redistricting
The City Charter asks to keep the core of the districts together and to respect the neighborhood. I am shocked to see that the neighborhoods in my district are divided in the proposed maps. Please reject these maps and keep the neighborhoods together.
51. Please oppose divisive maps
Dear Mayor and Council
District 1 in north College Park is a cohesive community. It would be a terrible mistake to break it up so much as the proposed maps would.
We have enjoyed the district’s diversity between neighbors. This proposed division is really detrimental to our community.
Please oppose these divisive maps
52. Redistricting Proposal
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
As a resident of District 1, I would like to voice our opposition to the current Redistricting proposal before the city council.
District 1 enjoys their cohesive community. We are active in city activities and we vote in city elections. We would love to add residents from other Districts to our community.
Our smaller populated district should not be punished for doing all the right things.
Please keep the core of our neighborhood together.
City Charter $C-2-2D
53. District 1 map
The proposed redisricting map of District 1 needs to be redrawn. It cuts out residents of the Hollywood neighborhood. A neighborhood that goes from The Beltway to Rt. 193. A neighborhood that has been part of the Hollywood community since the neighborhood was built. To put us in District 2 puts us in a district completely separate, from our neighbors and community.
Having our community represented by someone who lives in it, allows for a better understanding of our needs and concerns. While I’m sure District 2 needs and concerns are met, they are bound to be different than ones in the Hollywood community just from location alone.
Hollywood must be kept together now, not separated to allow for “future residents” closer to campus. This redrawn map negates the representation of residents who are already here to represent residents that may not come. I strongly ask that the map be redrawn to keep the boundaries of District 1 intact and the neighborhood whole.
Thank you,
54. Redistricting
Dear Mayor and Council.
I have been a resident of District 1 (Daniels Park) since 1994. My neighborhood has been a cohesive group, responsive, respectful, and supportive of each other and our respective causes all this time. This community dynamic has been a reinforcing factor for me to stay here in District 1, as the current community dynamics enhances a quality of life.
Dividing up District 1 will lose the positive socio-emotional connection that is the backbone of our successful and acceptably progressive District, where community belonging is strong and welcome.
I therefore ask that you please keep our neighborhoods together and do not divide District 1. Any division of District 1 will reduce our quality of life, among other community strong holdings.
Thank you for listening.
Sincerely,
55. To whom it may concern
Hello Mayor & City Council
My name is ** and I live in the Hollywood neighborhood of District 1. But we are not the only neighborhood in this area and the closest neighborhoods in my district are Daniels Park and Oaks Spring. So that, I found it very painful and disturbing what the city council is trying to do by pushing out these two neighborhoods our of district 1 where they won’t be part of district anymore. And since there are no significant boundaries between our neighborhoods, I am hoping you take into consideration the fact that we are one cummnity before making any decision that might creat division. Additionaly, many neighbors do not know where Hollywood ends, and Daniels Park starts. As for me, I think all of District 1 is one community of north College Park. Please work to keep the neighbors together.
Thank you for your time.
sincerely
56. Dividing District 1
I’ve been a resident for 28 years.
This is my request to Not divide District 1 and to keep our neighborhoods together.
Thank you.
57. Keep the North College Park Neighborhoods Together in District 1
I understand there is going to be a vote tomorrow (October 11) on whether the proposed district lines should be adjusted to keep North College Park’s neighborhoods together as much as possible. I advocate adjusting them for 3 reasons.
1. Adjusted district lines will enable neighborhoods experiencing overlapping issues to be grouped together more coherently. The proposed district lines stretch District 1 out west to Metzerott Rd (Acerdale) while cutting off Daniels Park, which has been part of the district’s core.
2. The proposed district lines aren’t accounting for new apartment complexes. An unusually large number of apartments are being constructed at once along/near Route 1 south of University Blvd. I can count at least 5: The Standard, Aster, Greystar, Tempo, and KindBild. But those incoming apartments are not being represented in the census data, which is determining the district lines. I advocate using 2023 population data, when some of those apartments will have residents that can be counted to better reflect how the population is distributed in College Park.
3. The proposed district lines are getting warped a bit too much to account for blocks/neighborhoods with active voters. As I understand, active voters are a factor in counting population, so districts are being warped a bit to account for the uneven geographic voter rates. But I think stretching certain lines to account for this is doing more harm than good for representing residents.
Thank you,
58. Re-zoning
Good Afternoon. I am against the idea being passed around to divide neighborhoods in District 1. The City Charter C2-2D asks to keep the core of the district together. Please keep the boundaries and respect the neighborhoods by not chopping them up.
Thankyou Aaron Foster
59. District
Please keep Oak Springs in the district it is and has been for many many years. Goes back to my Mom, my grandparents and my great grandparents on my grandmother and grandfather’s sides.
60. Oak Springs
Leave the districts as they are. We are Original Oak Springs residents dating back to 1930’s.