COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA2 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE3 301 W. Hunting Park Avenue6 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, August 31, 20117 5:20 p.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA10 COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR.11 COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO12 RESOLUTION 110523 - Resolution calling on City Council's Committee of the Whole to hold14 public hearings to educate and inform citizens on the redistricting process for City Council15 Districts in order to create an open and transparent process and opportunity for public16 engagement and input for City Council's consideration.17 - - -19 2
Good2 evening and welcome. This is the second3 of four hearings that will focus4 exclusively on the matter of councilmanic5 redistricting. Every ten years, it6 becomes Council's duty to redraw the7 boundaries for the City's ten8 councilmanic districts. Before we carry9 out that responsibility, we want to10 provide the public with an opportunity to11 weigh in. We have a big task before us12 and we welcome your input.13 I want to thank you for your14 attendance and your interest this15 evening, and I also want to thank my16 colleague Councilwoman Sanchez for17 hosting this evening's meeting. So18 without further adieu, it's my pleasure19 to recognize Councilwoman Sanchez.20
Thank21 you, Madam President.22 Before we begin with brief23 opening remarks, I want to provide an24 opportunity for our host, Esperanza, to25 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 say some welcoming remarks, the Reverend2 Luis Cortes.3
Sure. We4 want to welcome everybody. We're glad5 you're here. Thank you.6 (Applause.)7
I have8 never seen him be that brief.9 Thank you, Reverend. Everyone10 is admiring how beautiful Esperanza11 Academy is. This is always an12 opportunity to show off some of the great13 things in the district.14 I want to thank the Council15 Redistricting Working Group, under16 President Verna, for their willingness to17 hear and work with redistricting and18 allowing for me to serve on this19 committee in this very important issue.20 And I want to thank my colleagues who21 came out a week before Labor Day to be22 here and all of you who are present. As23 President Verna mentioned, we are all24 very eager to hear your input, your25 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 definitions of neighborhoods and some of2 the things that you think is important3 before we draw a draft map, that we'll4 then have an additional public hearing5 once that draft map is done.6 So Councilwoman Tasco, my7 colleague, Majority Leader Tasco,8 Councilman Wilson Goode, President Verna,9 thank you for coming. I do expect some10 other members of -- some other colleagues11 of mine to join us.12 And with that, we have a13 sign-in sheet. If you haven't signed in14 already, Justin DiBerardinis from my15 office is here. We will call you. We16 are allowing for three-minute testimony,17 although we are going to allow for18 additional time from the Azavea people19 who are here to testify a little bit20 about the mapping work that's being done21 citywide.22 So with that, I'm going to call23 the first three people, because I think24 we have three spaces, and then I'll call25 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 the next three people so they can come2 testify. So we're going to start with3 our host. That's what happens when4 you're host. The Reverend Luis Cortes,5 Reverend Bonnie Camarda to come before.6 I'm going to leave you guys as a panel,7 and then we'll do Jose Oyola, Juan8 Cartagena, Angel Ortiz and Joe Garcia9 from LatinoLines.10 (Witnesses approached witness11 table.)12
Thank you,13 Council President Verna and Councilwoman14 Quinones and the rest of our Council15 colleagues. Thank you for coming. Thank16 you for holding this meeting within the17 Latino community. We are grateful that18 you have come into our community to hear19 from us and that you're taking a20 proactive stance towards listening to the21 concerns of our city's residents.22 I'm speaking this evening on23 behalf of Hispanic Clergy, because I do24 have two hats, and I'm speaking on behalf25 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 of Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia, and2 I'm joined by Hispanic Clergy President3 Reverend Bonnie Camarda. As many of you4 know, Hispanic Clergy has been an active5 presence in civic and community issues6 since 1982. This is our third time7 testifying at a redistricting hearing,8 and we're hopeful that this time we will9 not be disappointed by the outcome as we10 have been in the past.11 It is clear to us that the12 district boundaries in our community have13 been gerrymandered for City Council and14 by City Council for decades. In fact, it15 is an embarrassing truth that our16 Hispanic community in Philadelphia is17 referenced around the nation by other18 Hispanic communities as one of the19 negative -- as an example of the negative20 things that can happen to a neighborhood21 that doesn't organize and advocate for22 itself. I have been asked by my23 community development colleagues in New24 York, Miami, Los Angeles and other25 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 cities, How can the Latino community be2 divided the way you are? Don't democrats3 control the City?4 I'm ashamed to have to respond,5 Yes, they do, and this is how we are6 treated.7 Our Hispanic community in North8 Philadelphia is clearly defined by the9 use of Spanish and its particular Latino10 and Caribbean culture. It occupies a11 contiguous geographic area, but even12 today, after the 2000 redistricting13 struggle, we find the geographically14 contiguous Hispanic community fractured15 into parts of four different councilmanic16 districts. We're in the 1st, the 5th,17 the 9th and, of course, the 7th.18 The issue goes beyond poor19 treatment. It is in fact illegal, and as20 clergy we believe it is immoral. The21 Hispanic community has been fractured and22 separated unnaturally, with implications23 for our voice in political24 representation.25 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 As a religious organization2 with a stake in the welfare of our3 communities, we have chosen to present4 two maps. The first incorporates the5 physical addresses of all the6 Spanish-speaking churches in our city and7 how we remain divided, though we are one8 community. The second map proposed by9 Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia as an10 ideal covers the geographic area that11 includes a vast majority of our churches,12 over 90 percent of them. It is a13 rectangular tract boarded by Girard14 Avenue in the south, Olney in the north,15 9th Street on the west and Whitaker16 Street on the east.17 We come to you today in good18 faith, but we wonder about the19 transparency of a process that asks us to20 testify without providing us any insight21 into what Council is thinking and where22 the lines may be drawn. We are concerned23 that the vote dilution that has occurred24 in the past will continue to be fostered25 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 in our community. We implore you to not2 encroach upon our community and continue3 to fragment us. We request that you4 provide us with the 60 percent Citizens5 of Voting Age number we should have6 received in 2000.7 I thank all the members of City8 Council for the opportunity to present to9 you today. It is a privilege which the10 Latino church does not take for granted.11 God bless our city and our City Council.12 Thank you.13 (Applause.)14
We have the15 two maps we referenced, which you have in16 the testimony, are also there, and what17 it clearly shows is that we are divided18 among four districts. Our Hispanic19 churches don't work as four different20 district churches. We work as one, and21 we all happen to be in what is basically22 a two-mile rectangle, geographic23 rectangle. This should have been our24 district years ago. We're hoping that25 10 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 in this next redistricting, it will be2 our district.3 I thank you, and I don't know4 if there's any questions.5
Thank9 you. Thank you for helping us.10 Any questions?11 (No response.)12
Could I19 ask a question? Are you asking us to20 consider thinking of drawing the21 boundaries along the red dots?22
On the25 11 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 second one.2
If you look3 at where the bulk of our churches are,4 you can see that they go from Godfrey5 Avenue or you can take Olney Avenue6 south. And so we're not saying exactly7 where you would put the line, but what8 we're saying is that this be taken into9 consideration as the major way of -- one10 of the ways to inform how you're going to11 redistrict our community.12 Does that help?13
Thank17 you.18 Our next panel consists of Jose19 Oyola, Juan Cartagena, Angel Ortiz and20 Joe Garcia from LatinoLines.21 (Witnesses approached witness22 table.)23
Do we24 have your written testimony?25 12 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Yes, we2 do, Your Honor. I'll get that for you.3
Anyone4 who has walked in the room lately, if5 you're here to testify, we have a list.6 Justin DiBerardinis, who is off to the7 left, will gladly take your name so we8 can add you to the list.9 You may proceed.10
Good evening,11 members of City Council and good evening12 to the community here of North13 Philadelphia, and for those of you that14 don't live in this area, welcome to our15 neighborhood. I want to start by saying16 my name is Jose Oyola of LatinoLines and17 also the Marketing Director for the18 National Congress for Puerto Rican19 Rights. LatinoLines is a coalition of20 non-partisan civic activists, devoted21 members of the Latino community and22 longtime Philadelphians. 25 13 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 This national organization based in New2 York City is expert in voting3 redistricting issues. Judge Cartagena is4 a constitutional law and civil rights5 attorney with extensive litigation6 experience in the areas of voting rights,7 employment discrimination, education and8 language rights. 10 As the recent census numbers11 have confirmed, Philadelphia finally12 reversed the five decades of losing13 population, thanks mainly to growth in14 the Asian and Latino communities. 22 It has also been widely23 reported by numerous authorities that the24 7th Councilmanic District is one of the25 14 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 most gerrymandered districts in both the2 City and in our nation. 12 LatinoLines is respectfully13 asking that our growth in the City's14 census be reflected with a natural,15 logical 60 percent Latino population for16 the 7th Councilmanic District. Sixty17 percent is not an arbitrary number that18 simply looks to create a district that is19 simply Latino. 22 The district is only as strong23 as its voting base. Currently, the24 Latino population within and surrounding25 15 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 3 With a properly drawn district, we have4 the population, the voting age population5 and, most importantly, the citizens'6 voting age population that will give us a7 true reading on our actual electoral8 strength. 15 The Puerto Rican/Latino16 community has spent a lot of time and17 effort working to restore the health of18 their own community. Organizations like19 ASPIRA, APM, Esperanza, Congreso and20 Taller Puertorriqueno were all started by21 the Puerto Rican community and have been22 serving all the residents of North23 Philadelphia. We have worked hard to24 educate our children, create economic25 16 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 prosperity, preserve our culture and have2 made significant contributions to the3 economic and educational development of4 the City of Philadelphia. If we have all5 the elements to create a district that6 gives this community of interest which7 has contributed and continues to8 contribute so much its proper place at9 the table with 60 percent Latino10 population and 50 percent citizens'11 voting age population, it is the12 responsibility of our elected officials13 to uphold that number. 24 For more history on this entire25 17 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 6 Attorney and former City Councilman Angel7 Ortiz will detail the trail and8 trajectory of gerrymandering that put the9 current lines of the 7th District in10 conflict with the Voting Rights Act of11 1965. He will show how this community of12 interest historically has had and13 continues to have their civil rights14 violated under those terms. 21
22 Good evening, members of the Philadelphia23 City Council. First of all, thank you24 for giving me this opportunity. I'm25 18 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 4 My name is Juan Cartagena. I5 run one of the important Latino civil6 rights organizations in the country, and7 I have been doing work on redistricting8 in about ten states now currently. 14 In many ways, Latino Justice15 has already testified before you. I'm16 not going to repeat what was given to you17 as testimony several weeks ago by my18 associate counsel Jose Perez. That19 testimony was supporting the proposal by20 LatinoLines for the district that Jose21 Oyola just mentioned. I actually want to22 give you a different perspective, both23 historical and national, on the issues24 that confront you today, because they're25 19 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 14 You may or may not know but15 back in the 1970s, it was this community16 in the case called Arroyo versus Tucker17 which established the underpinnings for18 bilingual assistance at the voting booth19 that so many people of Philadelphia and20 others indeed in Pennsylvania and21 throughout the country enjoy today. In22 fact, Congress since 1975 cited both23 Philadelphia's electoral apparatus and24 New York City's electoral apparatus25 20 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 7 Fast forward just a simple ten8 years after that, the Hispanic9 reapportionment committee case, which I10 worked on personally, along with my11 colleague here Angel Ortiz, we worked on12 challenging the redistricting of the13 State House here in Pennsylvania, the14 180th District. We were under a legal15 standard that was very, very hard to16 prove, that we had to prove that the17 actions of the legislation were done18 intentionally to hurt Puerto Rican19 communities in Philadelphia. 25 21 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 12 But I venture to say that I was13 here in 1982 when we worked on the case,14 and now it is close to 20-some-odd years15 later, almost 30, right? Almost 3016 years, and the vibrant Puerto17 Rican/Latino community of Philadelphia18 unfortunately can only really point to19 one elected representative among your20 City Council and one elected21 representative in Harrisburg on every22 level, legal, political and I venture to23 say moral. That's just wrong. It makes24 no sense for a vibrant democracy to fail25 22 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 13 You have a wonderful14 opportunity now to not only reward the15 growing strength of a vibrant part of16 Philadelphia, reward it because its17 population growth led to the fact that18 the City didn't lose that much population19 over time the last ten years. 24 You have a wonderful25 23 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 opportunity as well to stop the2 manifestation of a very bizarrely drawn3 district, which on most measures looks4 odd on paper. And I work on5 redistricting. 6 Redistricting, believe it or not,7 appearances matter. The way things look8 signal what is going on when they were9 created. 14 Throughout the country I worked in many15 jurisdictions in which sometimes the16 challenge is how to create/preserve17 districts in the face of loss of18 population. You have the opportunity19 now, as I said before, to reward a20 growing part of the City that is only21 asking for a measure of solace in knowing22 that the district that you create in the23 next couple weeks will stand the test of24 time and be strong enough to continue to25 24 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 8
My friends, Wilson15 and Marian, and my very, very close16 friend, Maria Quinones.17 To quote Maria today from the18 papers, we're trying to fix 40 years of19 mistakes. Although they were really not20 mistakes. They were done very on21 purpose.22 Marian has been in the struggle23 with me over this district since the24 beginning. Council President Verna was25 25 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 there when we needed last ten years ago.2 Wilson, well, he has a father that3 started it. He has the one Mayor that4 stood up in the 1980s and said that a5 Latino district has to be structured and6 put forward, and he kept his word. He7 was the first Mayor to veto a8 redistricting plan. And it's 40 years.9 Maria said it very well today. It is 4010 years. The City has grown and we have11 grown. Everybody else has lost12 population or not grown at all. The13 Northeast was 90 percent Caucasian when14 we all started this. Today it's only 5815 percent. When they added that ungodly16 tail, it was to dilute the Puerto Rican17 and Latino vote at that time. Well, we18 got to cut that tail. That tail has to19 come off. That's one of the mistakes20 that Maria was speaking about when she21 said we're trying to fix 40 years of22 errors. We have to do that.23 We have to give the Puerto24 Rican/Latino community at this point in25 26 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 time, after all of these years of2 struggle -- Juan said it very clearly.3 In 1981, '82, we were challenging the4 State House and Harry Ganotti and5 McIntire and all of those individuals,6 and the democratic party actually said,7 We divided the Puerto Rican community on8 purpose in order to strengthen other9 democratic districts. Well, those days10 are passed, because we have grown. We're11 more sophisticated, and we have a very12 enlightened and political community.13 The people that make up14 LatinoLines are second-generation Puerto15 Rican kids, who now are no longer kids,16 who are professionals, who are17 technocrats, but also very politically18 savvy and understand what the political19 process is and what it entails. It isn't20 something that we have to go through21 every four years wondering whether we're22 going to have representation in City23 Council of our choosing. We have to have24 assurances that we are going to have25 27 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 representation in City Council, at least2 in this one district, of a person of our3 choosing, not to be wondering about it,4 not to be put forward in a sense that5 people with money can come in, other6 special interests can develop and7 campaign. No. The Latino community has8 grown and it has grown in a certain9 geographic area. The Reverend said it.10 Most of the churches are in this11 district. Those are the evangelical12 churches, but the Catholic churches that13 Puerto Ricans go to, except the one in14 Spring Garden, are in this area.15 So at this point in time, what16 we're saying is fix the errors of 4017 years. We no longer can continue18 accepting the circumstances that were put19 forward. And I think as Maria said20 today, we're going to fix the 40 years of21 mistakes that were not really mistakes,22 because they were done on purpose, and23 it's about time that we redress that and24 make this community whole.25 28 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 So, Councilwoman, thank you.2 President, welcome to the barrio.3 Marian, you went to the barrio. Wilson,4 you went to the barrio. Welcome to the5 barrio.6
Thank you for9 being here. I'm Joe Garcia of10 LatinoLines and I'm also Vice Chair of11 the National Congress for Puerto Rican12 Rights.13 Our community came home with14 60,000 people, according to the United15 States Census of 2010. If you just16 enclose the current areas of new Latino17 population growth, it naturally fits in18 the 7th District, and the City would have19 a reasonable, healthy and more20 economically viable 7th District.21 Two provisions of the Voting22 Rights Act of 1965, Sections 228 and23 5-29, prohibit the use of voting24 practices or procedures, including25 29 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 redistricting plans, that dilute minority2 voting strength. The extremely peculiar3 shape of the 7th Councilmanic District,4 the obvious dilution, the fracturing, the5 fact that it combines communities with6 different interests, all make market as a7 classic example of gerrymandering. And8 let's remember, not only were the people9 removed from this district, but the10 economic engines and businesses were also11 removed from this district.12 If you look at a map of the 7th13 from 1960, the SugarHouse Casino would14 have been in the 7th Councilmanic15 District. All of that economically16 thriving waterfront would have been in17 the 7th District. And what a crushing18 irony, SugarHouse, named for an industry19 chosen for its historic presence in this20 area of Philadelphia. SugarHouse, a name21 chosen because of all the sugar that came22 in from Jack Frost and other sugar23 companies to Philadelphia for refinement.24 And along with that sugar from Puerto25 30 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 Rico came the Puerto Rican sugar cane2 workers, who built that industry through3 hard work, expertise and remained loyal4 Philadelphians. To think that we are5 separated from our community of interest,6 separated from our friends and neighbors,7 separated from the waterfront and the8 successful industry that was so9 diligently, painstakingly worked to build10 up. This crushing irony can no longer be11 allowed to exist.12 (A group of people entered room13 chanting "Fund education, not14 incarceration.")15 (Pause.)16
We want17 to thank the folks who have joined us.18 This is looking like a typical Council19 session. And we thank them, and we'd be20 happy to have them testify on21 redistricting.22 (People continue chanting.)23
We want24 to thank our education advocates. We25 31 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 need to proceed with our hearings, and we2 want to be very respectful. We got your3 message. We need to continue to take the4 testimony. We appreciate the efforts of5 our education advocates. Again, we'd be6 happy to have you testify on7 redistricting, but out of courtesy to the8 witnesses and the business, we want to9 proceed. We acknowledge your presence10 here and your concern, and we're going to11 ask you to allow us to proceed with our12 hearings.13 UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER:14 Absolutely. We're called Professionals15 for Progress, and we just wanted to make16 the point that since May 26th, City17 Council passed a resolution to sue the18 Governor for inadequately funding the19 School District of Philadelphia. We just20 want all of you here to know what we're21 about and why we're here. And that's22 simply what it's all about.23
We24 appreciate that. We thank you. We've25 32 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 heard you loud and clear over the course2 of the last couple of months as this3 controversy has unveiled itself. Again,4 we appreciate it, and we welcome you in5 our Council Chambers during our normal6 proceedings in Council on Thursday to7 publicly testify on the record those8 concerns. We thank you very much.9 UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Thank10 you.11
Thank you. Well,14 we're talking about the crushing irony of15 the SugarHouse. So this crushing irony16 can no longer be allowed to exist. This17 illegality can no longer be allowed to18 exist.19 In the name of the 1965 Voting20 Rights Act, we want our district back, we21 want our neighbors back in our district,22 and we want the boundaries to include the23 economic engines that would make our24 district flourish in the future. With a25 33 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 proper 7th Councilmanic District, the2 Latino community of Philadelphia will3 finally have in this century what it4 should have had in the last.5 Lastly, we respectfully request6 that City Council release the maps and7 background notes/work on this to date,8 and we would like to see this on9 September 1st, 2011. The citizens of10 Philadelphia deserve to see these maps11 sooner rather than later. The currently12 allotted timeframe regarding the City13 Council map is far too short for14 meaningful response. As has been15 mentioned in all the public discourse on16 this matter, the need for forthright17 transparency is of the highest priority.18 LatinoLines looks forward to seeing the19 Council's maps and looks forward to20 testifying at that time as well.21 Thank you very much for your22 time and consideration today.23
If I may. You have2 an opportunity. I know that -- I don't3 know if there are 12 votes, but if we4 don't make and fix those mistakes, I hope5 we have enough people to not allow 126 votes to go forward.7
Thank you,8 Angel. Thank you. Message is loud and9 clear.10
Thank11 you. We'll proceed. We have Rachel12 Lawton from the League of Women Voters13 and Jerry Mondesire from the NAACP and14 Will Gonzalez from CEIBA.15 (Witnesses approached witness16 table.)17
Rachel,18 ladies first. You got two gentlemen19 sitting there.20
Thank you. Good21 evening, Council President Verna,22 Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez and other23 members of City Council, Councilman Goode24 and Councilwoman Tasco. I am Rachel25 35 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 Lawton, President of the League of Women2 Voters of Philadelphia. On their behalf,3 I wish to thank City Council for passing4 a resolution this spring to hold public5 hearings on redistricting. Tonight, the6 League is delighted to participate in one7 of the three scheduled hearings designed8 to solicit public testimony.9 For more than 90 years, the10 League of Women Voters has sought to11 promote political responsibility through12 informed and active participation in13 government. Such empowerment is14 dependent on our insistence for15 transparency and openness in the16 deliberation and decision-making of our17 elected officials. This hearing, as well18 as fairshapepa.org, the League of Women19 Voters of Pennsylvania's website20 sponsored jointly by the League and21 Common Cause, is a wonderful way to22 educate Philadelphia's citizens about the23 challenges of redistricting.24 Soliciting input from25 36 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 statistical experts, citizen opinion and2 computer-generated proposals should3 further provide a valuable exchange of4 critical ideas.5 As part of this process, the6 League requests the City Council consider7 the following: First, Philadelphia's8 1,526,006 residents should be evenly9 divided into the ten City Council10 districts. To ensure that every11 Philadelphia resident's vote has equal12 power, Council should make every effort13 to reapportion the current city14 population among the ten districts evenly15 as possible.16 Secondly, districts should be17 compact. Simply put, when citizens18 examine the future Philadelphia City19 Council district map, districts should be20 aligned next to one another and in solid21 blocks, whenever possible. Such a22 configuration would suggest a23 non-partisan, objective approach that24 respects wards and communities that need25 37 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 to have clear, consistent representation.2 This will not be an easy task,3 considering the number and diversity of4 wards in the City. It is the League's5 position that unless absolutely6 necessary, no ward should be divided in7 forming a City Council district.8 While some current City Council9 districts have fairly contiguous10 boundaries, Philadelphia has the11 unfortunate distinction of having12 District 5 and District 7 being labeled13 as two of the most gerrymandered14 districts in the nation.15 Third, the Home Rule Charter16 should be amended to require citizen17 participation in the redistricting18 process. It appears that a conflict of19 interest exists when incumbents are20 solely responsible for redrawing21 political boundaries that potentially22 impact their own reelection.23 Fourth, the Home Rule Charter24 should be amended to extend the current25 38 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 six-month redistricting deadline after2 receiving census data. Given the many3 variables, more time is needed to analyze4 information, draft proposals, seek public5 input and revise as needed. A new6 deadline should be determined following a7 study of the effectiveness of other state8 and local timelines.9 Fifth, once City Council has10 proposed new districts, we recommend you11 hold another series of public hearings to12 introduce the plan map and allow for13 citizen review and clarification. We14 might also suggest locating such events15 in various districts around the City to16 enhance public participation, especially17 if Council proposes that wards must be18 divided.19 In closing, I want to thank20 City Council for your kind attention as21 well as the opportunity to testify.22 COUNCILWOMAN SANCHEZ:23 Councilman Goode has a question.24
Thank you.25 39 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 Good evening. Thank you for2 your testimony. You talked twice in your3 testimony about division of wards within4 Council districts, and I understand that5 issue, but my question is, do you6 actually believe that the wards probably7 should be redrawn based upon the census8 as well?9
We don't have a10 position on that yet. That's something11 we haven't discussed.12
You do13 realize that the wards are not equally14 drawn now?15
Yeah. This is why16 we said this is a challenging undertaking17 looking at all of this. This is why18 partly we're recommending that more time19 be given to you to look at this issue.20
So we would21 not redraw the wards, but probably the22 most politically unfair thing out here23 right now is the way the wards are drawn24 even more so than the Council districts.25 40 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231
Well, that's2 something to take under -- I'll bring3 that back to the Board and to the League4 and let's look at that and see what5 possibly can be done in the future about6 that. So that's a good point.7
I'd like11 to add to that. The last time we redrew12 wards was in '83-'84 while I was City13 Commissioner. We divided some14 wards/divisions because they were15 unfairly drawn, and it's a legal issue.16 So you have to take it to the courts and17 to the City Commissioners. The Council18 does not draw them.19
The City22 Commissioners, last time that happened23 the Committee of Seventy sued the City24 Commissioners to redraw the boundaries25 41 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 and some of the wards of divisions2 because some divisions had more3 population than other divisions, thereby4 diluting the vote of the residents. So5 it's something that should be taken6 before the Commissioners.7
Good evening,9 Madam President Verna and members of City10 Council. My name is Jerome Mondesire,11 President of the NAACP, Philadelphia12 branch, and President of the NAACP,13 Pennsylvania State Conference. On behalf14 of our nearly 2,500 members in the City,15 I am profoundly grateful to have this16 opportunity to testify today before the17 City Council on the very important18 subject of redistricting. At the NAACP's19 most recent national convention in Los20 Angeles last month, the national21 organization adopted a resolution that22 all branches throughout the U.S. should23 take a very active role in the24 reapportionment and legislative25 42 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 realignment discussions taking place this2 year in cities and states throughout the3 country. As such, we at the NAACP4 Philadelphia branch are pleased to5 participate in this and any other public6 forums with the all-important question of7 how legislative districts are to be based8 or drawn based on the 2010 census report.9 Philadelphia shows small but10 significant gain in population in the11 last census count. The City now boasts a12 growing population of at least 1.513 million persons. Thankfully, unlike14 previous years, there does not seem to be15 any debate on possible undercount of16 residents this time.17 At the same time, we are18 cognizant of the fact that most of the19 growths in Philadelphia's most recent20 population has come from the influx of21 new immigrants, mainly from22 Spanish-speaking countries and others23 from Eastern Europe. Furthermore, most24 of this population appears to have arisen25 43 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 in those neighborhoods that are east of2 Broad Street, which traditionally has3 been a key demarcation border in previous4 realignment decisions. As such, the5 NAACP is very concerned that these new6 citizens be properly informed about the7 reapportionment process, and to this end,8 we in the NAACP are very proud of our9 role in convincing this Council to extend10 extra hearings this month to public11 forums in this and other areas. The12 NAACP was very concerned that a one-day13 hearing in City Hall in the middle of a14 workday, in the middle of a hot summer15 would not have provided enough time to16 hear from all the citizens who will be17 profoundly affected.18 In addition, we're here today19 to urge City Council to proceed to make20 all suggested boundaries of future21 districts available in map form and that22 those maps be distributed to the public23 well in advance of future Council24 decisions prior to the final vote for25 44 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 passage next month.2 The NAACP also requests that3 these maps be placed on the Internet in4 order that the largest number of5 Philadelphians understand how and why the6 new boundaries were designed.7 We also request that City8 Council take into consideration the9 considerable language barriers faced by10 many of our new neighbors and that the11 new boundaries be translated so that they12 are understandable to those for whom13 English is not their native tongue.14 Finally, as the15 Spanish-speaking population in16 Philadelphia has grown in the past ten17 years, the NAACP urges this Council to18 take into consideration the creation of19 an East of Broad Street District that20 does not fracture or indiscriminately21 splinter the many cohesive neighborhoods22 where Spanish citizens reside.23 Basically we're saying give the24 Hispanic members of our city a compact25 45 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 district for which they have been2 fighting for more than 40 years. And you3 should know that the NAACP is prepared to4 go to court to work on this behalf with5 any group not in line, Hispanic Clergy or6 any other group. We strongly want to7 work with our Hispanic brothers and8 sisters to give them a piece of the9 democracy that has been denied them10 almost half a century.11 Thank you.12 (Applause.)13
Buenos tardes.14 Good afternoon, members of City Council.15 My name is Will Gonzalez. I'm the16 Executive Director of CEIBA, a coalition17 of community-based organizations in the18 Latino community. We are here to support19 LatinoLines' simple map for the 7th20 Councilmanic District, to respectfully21 urge you to please issue your proposed22 map and legislation as soon as possible23 and to please make a commitment to return24 to this very room after you -- some time25 46 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 soon thereafter so that we can comment on2 the work of your proposal.3 We know it's a tough job to try4 to draw maps. We also know that there5 are things other than justice that come6 into play, and we urge you to respect7 your oath and to please issue a fair map8 for the communities of Philadelphia.9 We also believe that it is time10 for another district to wear the tail, or11 whatever you want to call that unusual12 shape that makes the current version of13 the 7th Councilmanic District an14 embarrassment and makes it one of the15 most gerrymandered districts in the16 country.17 A lot has been said about the18 community of interest that is the Latino19 community, but in a place that prides20 itself as being a city of neighborhoods,21 we must also look at how redistricting22 affects each neighborhood and as each23 neighborhood is a community of interest.24 And so we believe that the proposed map25 47 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 by LatinoLines takes into account the2 community of interest not only of the3 Latino community but of the neighborhoods4 that are within that proposed map.5 So to summarize again, we6 respectfully urge you to adopt a simple7 design for the 7th Councilmanic District8 that takes into account the community of9 interest that is the Latino community and10 the neighborhoods within it and to please11 present your proposed legislation and12 plan as soon as possible and to please13 return here to give us a chance to14 comment on it.15 Thank you very much.16 (Applause.)17
Thank18 you. Following the list, I have Aida19 Capia, Stephanie Singer and then Robert20 Cheetham. Aida Capia, Stephanie Singer21 and Robert.22 (Witnesses approached witness23 table.)24
I guess25 48 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 if it's okay with you, Robert, Stephanie2 can start as you set up.3
Hello. My name is5 Stephanie Singer. I am here with two6 hats on. First of all, as the ward7 leader of the 8th Ward, Democratic Ward8 Leader of the 8th Ward, and I thank the9 City Council for giving me a chance to10 speak to you on this topic.11 The 8th Ward -- I want to thank12 also all the people who welcomed me and13 my fellow 8th warders to this14 neighborhood, because this is not my15 neighborhood, and yet part of the 8th16 Ward is in the 5th Council District, and17 I believe there are probably -- there are18 a lot of Latino people in this19 neighborhood who live in the 5th Council20 District.21 Could I have the people here22 from the 8th Ward stand up, please.23 (Some witnesses stand up.)24
So some of them25 49 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 are in the 5th Council District.2 And I want to -- and I also3 speak on behalf of my colleague, Lindsey4 Deering, who is the ward leader, the5 republican ward leader, of the 8th Ward.6 Our ward is split between two Council7 districts. And worse than that, my own8 neighborhood is split between two Council9 districts, and it has -- and that fact10 disenfranchises us. And we respectfully11 ask that you put the 8th Ward in one12 Council district or, at a very minimum,13 if you have to split the 8th Ward, please14 split it along a natural boundary. I can15 look across the street and wave at people16 who are in a different Council district.17 So that's as the 8th Ward18 democratic leader. As a candidate for19 City Commissioner who hopes to improve20 voter turnout and political engagement in21 this city, I am very concerned with the22 shapes of our Council districts. When23 people have healthy natural relationships24 with their elected officials, people25 50 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 vote.2 We have a crisis in this3 country. People have lost faith in4 government, and in Philadelphia there are5 many people who do not have faith in6 government, and it is partly because of7 the shapes of the districts.8 I spoke the other day with9 Jannie Blackwell. She's District 3.10 That's the yellow one there on the map,11 and it's nice and compact, and she can go12 to four events in her district on one13 night because it's compact.14 So I urge you to give all15 Philadelphians compact districts. I urge16 you not to split neighborhoods. I urge17 you to make the Council districts reflect18 the geography of the City.19 Thank you very much.20 COUNCILWOMAN SANCHEZ:21 Councilman Goode has a question.22
Thank you.23 Ms. Singer, following up on my24 previous question, should the ward maps25 51 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 be redrawn as well?2
I'm definitely3 open to that. There are great4 discrepancies between the different5 wards, absolutely, but I don't think they6 can be redrawn in time for this7 redistricting.8
That's not9 the question. The question is whether10 they should be redrawn, should they be11 proportional, should they be proportional12 to population, should they be13 proportional to voter registration?14 What's your vision for how the ward maps15 should be changed themselves?16
I believe that17 that would give people a better18 connection. What you described would19 give people a better connection to their20 ward leaders and the ward structure and21 their government, and that would be a22 good thing.23
I guess my24 question is -- I guess I phrased it25 52 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 wrong. I shouldn't say do you believe or2 should they be. Do you think that3 legally and morally we are bound to4 redrawing the ward maps as well?5
I don't know the6 answer to the legal question. On the7 moral question, there are so many things8 that need to be fixed morally in the City9 and I don't know the answer to where that10 falls.11
But the12 reason I raise the issue is because we're13 here discussing whether we should split14 wards or not, but the truth of the matter15 is, the wards are mapped in a more unfair16 and unequal way than the Council17 districts. And so it doesn't make much18 sense to me to be as concerned about19 splitting wards when the wards need to be20 remapped anyway.21
I would be happy22 if you stopped the splitting of my own23 neighborhood, which is definitely split24 through a neighborhood. If you walk in25 53 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 Rittenhouse Square, the buildings on one2 side are in the 5th Council District and3 on the other side are in the 2nd Council4 District.5
Well, we6 don't map by neighborhoods. We map by7 wards.8
I think we would9 get a better map of districts if we had a10 better map of wards, yes.11
Thank16 you.17 You want to proceed?18 We're going to allow additional19 time at the request of the presenter.20
Members of21 Council, members of the neighborhood here22 and --23
We can't24 hear you that well, especially for the25 54 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 stenographer.2
9 I am here representing a10 contest that has been run over the last11 several weeks. com, WHYY and the University of15 Pennsylvania, have been carrying out what16 we call Fix Philly Districts, an open17 redistricting contest that enabled any18 member of the public, both here in19 Philadelphia as well as anywhere in the20 country, to go online, create their own21 district map, follow the rules that22 Council is required to follow and produce23 a result. And I'm here this evening --24 the contest closed on Sunday, and I'm25 55 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 3 I want to start out by saying4 that none of this was carried out by5 Azavea or any of our partners. 12 We were blown away by the amount of13 interest that was shown here. Almost 50014 people registered to create plans with15 the system. 20 This was way more than we ever21 anticipated. This is in the middle of22 August, with thunderstorms, hurricanes,23 earthquakes and every manner of24 interruption, as well as an opportunity25 56 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 2 People really got into this. m. on Sunday night. 14 We know -- we don't know all of15 the people that submitted. They16 submitted their names, but we don't know17 things like gender and ethnicity and race18 behind them, but we believe there's a19 fairly broad participation from a lot of20 different parts of the City. This was21 not a few folks from Center City or22 academics. 24 I'm not going to announce the25 57 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 winners tonight. We haven't made final2 decisions. I am going to simply show3 some of the maps that people submitted4 that we think present a number of5 different approaches that can be taken to6 redrawing the lines based on the latest7 population. I'm not here to endorse any8 one of these plans. 16 We required that everyone that17 submitted a plan follow the same rules18 that you are. They have to have ten19 districts. They all have to be20 contiguous. They have to have relatively21 equal population. We used a plus or22 minus 5 percent rule as the margin. All23 ward divisions have to be assigned, and24 they need to try to respect communities25 58 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 13 What we found was that people14 that scored high in one particular metric15 generally scored low on others. Getting16 all of these right is not easy. It's not17 a straightforward or simple task that you18 have before you. 25 59 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 We asked each person that2 submitted a plan to write a short essay3 about what sorts of values they4 incorporated in creating their plans, and5 they mentioned a number of different6 things over and over in their7 submissions. One of those was around8 keeping communities of interest intact9 and specifically identified Latino10 communities of interest and African11 American communities, as well as Asian12 Pacific American communities. 17 A number of submissions also18 paid a lot of attention to respecting19 natural boundaries, not just the rivers,20 highways and parks, but also other types21 of communities that we often don't think22 of in the redistricting process, but23 things like watersheds, the area around a24 particular park, universities,25 60 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 4 The key challenges that we saw5 people grappling with over and over, one6 was trying to create a district around a7 Latino community. You've heard a lot8 about that here today. 17 We heard a lot of people who18 want to have a single Center City19 district or a couple of Center City20 districts, an east and a west, for21 example. And I mentioned rivers and22 highways and neighborhoods, and while we23 don't have an official neighborhood map,24 I think there are some common sense of25 61 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 3 So I'll walk through four of4 these. 11 Now, I would urge you not to12 think about the numbering of the13 districts. People simply assigned14 numbers as they saw fit and we didn't15 alter any of those to try to match the16 existing numbers.
19 711, and the key thing that this20 individual was aiming for was a Latino21 district, and you can see a District 722 here, and that is the core starting point23 for this person's drawing. They also24 wanted to pay attention to other types of25 62 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 4 The second of these was a plan5 that aimed to create not only a Latino6 community district, but a couple of7 districts that had high proportions of8 Asian Americans. 16 This person also, they split17 Center City three ways. 24 The third one is one that began25 63 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 as a Center City district and all of the2 other districts sort of grew out from3 there. This is Plan No. 1175. It had a4 very high compactness score and preserved5 almost all of the wards. Only five wards6 were split here, which is pretty hard to7 do. 9 There are four African American10 majority districts here of greater than11 50 percent, a very strong Hispanic12 district of greater than 40 percent, but13 you'll also see that the Hispanic14 community has been somewhat split across15 three others. 18 And, finally, the last one was19 called the Geographically Meaningful20 Boundaries Plan, Plan No. 634. This one21 has a Center City district, has a fairly22 large Hispanic district/Latino district23 in District 7 here, also has a similar24 very multi-cultural district up in here25 64 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 6 So that concludes the computer7 slide show here. I appreciate your8 indulgence in allowing us to bring in9 some electronic maps. 15 We're going to keep working on16 this and finishing scoring these. We17 look forward to unveiling the top scoring18 ones on Tuesday next week, but we want to19 have a chance to at least share some of20 these with you. We're happy to share21 some of the electronic versions if you're22 interested. The key point that I think23 we wanted to make was that a public24 participation process is something that25 65 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 5 We applaud Council for holding6 this public hearing today and look7 forward to more such hearings in the8 future. 9
Thank10 you, Robert. Councilman Goode has a11 question.12
Thank you.13 You said there were a number of14 different measurements you judged by. I15 think there were three or four. And you16 said one couldn't be scored, and you said17 that some proposals ranked high in some18 areas and ranked low in other areas. Was19 any consistency there in terms of where20 there was conflict?21
I think that's a22 tough question to answer. I would say23 that if someone did extremely well at any24 one score, they didn't do well at others.25 66 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231
So if you have4 very compact districts, you can draw very5 compact districts, and we actually had6 some mathematicians who wrote computer7 programs to draw the most compact8 districts possible. We had a submission9 from Temple University and we had a10 submission -- a number of submissions11 from North Carolina and the university12 team down there. But these compact13 districts may look really compact and14 really nice on the screen, but they split15 neighborhoods, they don't reflect16 geographic boundaries that we would all17 think of as being important here in18 Philadelphia, or they didn't do as well19 from an equal population perspective.20 If you balance the population21 perfectly -- we actually had some people22 who got it down to 88 people. The top23 scoring plan from equal population has24 only 88 people variance across all of the25 67 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 districts, but they didn't score well on2 compactness. They got that one thing3 optimized and they didn't do well on4 other things, splitting wards and having5 Latino districts and other types of6 communities of interest. So this is not7 an easy thing, and I think that was the8 main focus of my point.9
Thank you10 for the work you put into it. That was11 extremely helpful. So of course I have12 the last question to ask. Should the13 ward maps be redrawn as well?14
I will tell you15 that we had a ward splits score. It was16 fairly easy for people -- we had a17 six-way tie for first place and we18 haven't decided who we're going to give19 it to for not splitting wards.20 You can create districts that21 don't split wards, but you screw22 everything else up. Excuse me. The23 compactness comes out wrong, there's no24 communities of interest and so on. So --25 68 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231
The question is4 should we do that? I think that's a5 great question given that we don't have a6 standardized neighborhood boundary for7 the City. The wards sort of serve as a8 proxy for that. I think it's a smart9 idea to redo the wards. I think whether10 or not and under what conditions that11 gets carried, I think that's something12 for Council to decide.13
We're21 moving along. Again, for anybody who has22 come in, we have a tally here if you23 haven't signed up to testify.24 We have Stella Tsai, Andy Toy.25 69 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 I'm going to put you folks together. And2 then after that, I have Virgin Ortiz and3 Wilfredo Rojas.4 (Witnesses approached witness5 table.)6
Good evening,7 Council President Verna and other members8 of Council. My name is Stella Tsai. I9 am a business litigation partner at the10 firm of Archer & Greiner and also the11 President of the Asian Pacific American12 Bar Association of Pennsylvania. 18 I'm here to set forth our views19 on why it is incumbent upon City Council20 to ensure that Asian Americans have the21 opportunity to participate fully in the22 redistricting process and develop plans23 that will provide all voters with equal24 opportunity to elect candidates of their25 70 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 3 Point number one, the Asian4 American population is growing. 10 Asian American growth has also11 outpaced the total growth of the cities12 and counties in which they reside. In a13 2008 report by the Brookings Institution,14 metropolitan Philadelphia has the15 greatest and fastest growing immigration16 population among its peers. Twenty-eight17 percent of Pennsylvania's Asians reside18 in Philadelphia. 24 Point number two, Asian25 71 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 Americans need to increase political2 representation and influence. Asian3 Americans are increasingly becoming4 citizens through naturalization and5 registering to vote. According to the6 census, Asian Americans have high voter7 turnout, and as reported in the Daily8 News last May, Asian Americans were very9 excited about the prospect of putting an10 Asian American in City Council, and we11 continue to be hopeful. 15 And our third point is that16 districts should keep neighborhoods and17 communities together. S. 22 These include, one, compactness and23 contiguity; two, respecting political24 subdivisions; three, preserving25 72 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 19 Several Asian American and20 other minority communities throughout21 Philadelphia share common concerns and22 socially economic characteristics. We23 urge City Council to take a close look at24 those neighborhoods and ensure that these25 73 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 Asian American and communities of2 interest are kept together and not3 splintered among newly drawn lines. In4 particular, as City Council engages in5 the process of redrawing the lines, we6 urge City Council to protect the voting7 rights and collective interest of the8 growing Cambodian American community in9 and around Olney and Logan. 17 In closing, the right to vote18 is fundamental and something we do not19 and will never take for granted. Asian20 Americans are a vital economic asset to21 this region and the Commonwealth. We are22 a growing population. 23 We make political contributions. We24 matter, and we vote. Redistricting is a25 74 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 serious matter, and we are here to ensure2 that this constitutional right to vote is3 protected for all Asian Americans and all4 Philadelphians. )12
Good evening, Council13 President Verna and members of City14 Council. My name is Andrew Toy, and I'm15 here as a member of the Asian Pacific16 Americans for Progress, or APAP,17 Philadelphia Chapter. I also serve on18 the Boards of the Philadelphia Chinatown19 Development Corporation and the Americans20 for Democratic Action. Thank you for the21 opportunity to speak today to address22 community concerns with the anticipated23 City Council map redistricting.24 Unfortunately, I cannot comment25 75 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 on any proposed district remapping by2 City Council, as there has been no access3 to them or transparency in the discussion4 thus far. Holding this hearing in a5 neighborhood after work is a step in the6 right direction, but, more importantly, I7 hope that you hear our concerns and8 incorporate them into your decisions on9 the draft maps, which should be revealed10 to the public immediately.11 One of the reasons I ran for12 City Council was to give a voice to many13 who feel left out of the decisions that14 can either move our city forward or hold15 us back. I hope that with a willingness16 to have greater transparency and openness17 and with tools like Azavea's that give18 citizens greater access to information,19 we can be more inclusive and many more20 will want to be and be able to21 participate in our great democracy. By22 the way, Azavea is a Philadelphia company23 that is known across the country for its24 work with geographic information systems25 76 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 and other great work.2 The U.S. Congress has also3 recognized the need for more openness in4 introducing just this past year in 20105 the Redistricting Transparency Act of6 2010, HR 4918. In particular, as an7 Asian American, I am concerned that Asian8 American, Latino and other minority9 voices are not shut out through a bad10 remapping process. As you know,11 Philadelphia only gained population the12 last census because of gains in these and13 other immigrant populations. We must14 embrace these changes and respect these15 voices, for without them, our city will16 shrink and decline.17 It is also clear that there is18 court precedent to mandate that these19 communities of interest not be split to20 dilute their voices. APAP has drawn a21 map on the Azavea website that shows22 there are at least five districts that23 can show significant concentrations of24 Asian American populations. The APAP --25 77 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 the amended APAP map shows the 1st, 2nd,2 3rd, 9th and 10th districts having3 significant Asian American populations.4 In particular, the 9th District if drawn5 compactly shows around a 14 percent Asian6 American population, the highest of any7 district in the City. The 1st District8 get around 12 percent and the 3rd, around9 10 percent.10 I know that there are many11 within the Asian American community who12 do not want their communities to be split13 into many districts. They are looking14 forward to continuing and growing the15 relationship with their District16 Councilpeople with a more unified voice.17 A remapping approach such as APAP's will18 help to give that greater voice to Asian19 Americans and other underrepresented20 communities that will serve the City21 well.22 Thank you.23
Thank24 you.25 78 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 (Applause.)2
Council President3 Verna, could I just -- sorry. Council4 Quinones-Sanchez, I have a corrected5 version of my testimony which I submitted6 to Ms. Garcia. So I would like that to7 be incorporated into the record.8
Do you9 have a copy we can put here for the10 record?11
I wish I did. Well,12 I do, but it's a little marked up. So13 I'll try to get one as soon as possible.14
Thank15 you.16 We were proceeding with Virgin17 Ortiz from Esperanza 5th Street Corridor18 and Wilfredo Rojas. And then I would ask19 that Vivian Ortiz and Iris Violeta be20 prepared to testify after these two.21 After that I have Thomas D. El, John22 Lavery, Ms. Rorng Sorn, Jordan Gwendolyn,23 Steve Kimbrough, Doron Toussig, Mike24 Mechella and Trudy Haynes.25 79 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 So we'll proceed.2 Mike McCrea. How can you mess3 up Mike's name? Sorry, Mike.4 MR. McCREA: That's okay.5
So we'll6 proceed. Virgin is not here, so we'll7 proceed with Wilfredo.8 Vivian Ortiz and Iris Violeta,9 you want to come join him.10 (Witnesses approached witness11 table.)12
Good evening. 21 On behalf of Philadelphia's22 growing Puerto Rican/Latino community and23 our supporters from the Philadelphia24 communities, we applaud your decision to25 80 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 hold these meetings in the community. It2 is hoped that you leave here feeling the3 pulse of citizens who are turning to you4 to do the right thing in creating Council5 districts which are constitutionally6 sound and allow for fair and equal7 political representation in our city for8 all communities of interest. 17 As I sit here today, I feel18 like Reds in the movie The Shawshank19 Redemption played by Morgan Freeman, who20 for 40 years came before the parole board21 and was always denied. Now, I'm not22 going to use any of the epithets that he23 used the last time he finally was24 approved, but I do want to remind Council25 81 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 6 "We're a city of the future,"7 Mayor Michael Nutter proudly announced at8 a press conference in response to the9 release of the United States Federal10 Census Bureau's 2010 report. "People can11 be anywhere. They are choosing to live12 in Philadelphia," he added. Well,13 according to the new census numbers for14 Philadelphia, we added 8,456 residents to15 Philadelphia. 322 percent, Latinos and Asians are choosing23 to live in Philadelphia. percent to 95,52125 82 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 52 percent to 187,611. Latinos are increasingly6 becoming the future of the City, as Mayor7 Nutter indicated, with the increased8 presence of compact and contiguous9 neighborhoods in the 7th Councilmanic10 District. 17 Time and time again, Council's18 drawn plans have been long Latino19 political representation rhetoric, but20 short on specifics that truly represent21 political subdivision boundaries to the22 extent possible compliance with one23 person, one vote of the federal Voting24 Rights Act. The one person, one vote25 83 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. S. 13 We have the lowest income of any group in14 Philadelphia. We have the highest15 dropout rate of any group in16 Philadelphia. We have the worst housing17 of any group in Philadelphia. We also18 have the lowest voter participation rate19 of any group in Philadelphia, and a lot20 of that is attributed to the fact that we21 don't see anything tangible in having us22 go to the polls to elect someone. With23 the election of Maria Quinones -- and I24 would be remiss if I didn't mention that25 84 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 8 With those problems, we also9 need to -- and, Councilman Wilson Goode,10 I agree with you, Philadelphia is about11 ward politics and I agree that we have to12 restructure the wards, because Latinos13 are not concentrated in many wards, and14 when we win one time, we lose the next15 four years. So we have to -- if we're16 going to strengthen our political17 representation, politics start from the18 bottom. 19 In Philadelphia all politics is ward20 driven. And we need to get elected more21 Latino ward leaders so we can get into22 the business of being able to negotiate23 with other ward leaders to elect people24 that represent our interest as a25 85 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 community. And I'm saying that because2 we need to build a generation of Latino3 leaders that are going to be leaders for4 a multi-cultural, multi-racial society,5 because as Americans of Puerto Rican6 descent, we have the same rights. We7 came here to Philadelphia. 12 The 7th Councilmanic District13 as proposed by LatinoLines this year,14 maybe members of City Council are not15 chomping at the bit to support. 20 With that, I just want to thank21 you again for allowing us to come before22 you and for taking into consideration the23 quest of Latinos to have a community of24 interest in the 7th Councilmanic District25 86 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. )4
Good evening and I5 want to thank all of you for allowing us6 the opportunity to voice our concerns.7 My name is Vivian Ortiz. I am the8 President of the National Conference of9 Puerto Rican Women. We are here to10 testify on behalf of our Puerto Rican11 women and children in the 7th District12 and the surrounding City area. We're13 looking for a fair distribution of14 boundaries so our Hispanic women get the15 proper resources.16 We are concerned about the17 education, the school resources, the City18 programs for our children, our single19 mothers, our battered women. This is20 just to name a few. We need a voice21 representing our community, and that's22 why we're here. I feel it's very23 important that we stress this to you. I24 hope that you take that into25 87 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 consideration.2 As everyone has been noting,3 the 2010 Census Bureau proved that the4 Hispanic community has grown immensely,5 the Asian American community as well. We6 are looking for a fair distribution that7 serves our needs, as Mr. Rojas was8 saying. We need representation that9 understand our community. We want to10 give, we're willing to give, and we're11 there to say placiente, as we always say.12 That's just my opinion. We hope that you13 take our concerns into consideration when14 dividing the districts. We do need15 representation in the political, social16 and economic levels here in Philadelphia.17 Thank you.18 (Applause.)19
Buenos noches. My20 name is Iris Violeta Colon Torres.21 Welcome to Nueva Esperanza. This mean22 hope. So I hope that this is a meeting23 of hope.24 One thing that saddened me is25 88 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 that when I was last week talking to some2 ladies around, because I go around the3 neighborhood, and as a matter of fact,4 I'm part of the National Conference of5 Puerto Rican Women and sitting here next6 to the national President, and I was7 asking the people, Are you coming, are8 you coming, some of them said to me,9 Well, why? Is it going to change10 anything? Other people said (witness11 talking in Spanish.) They would not12 understand me. And rightfully so.13 There's not an interpreter here. So if14 anyone doesn't speak the language of15 Shakespeare, they can't testify in front16 of you.17 But I feel like I went back in18 the past. In 2000, I went to Harrisburg19 to testify on the same matter when I20 believe Angel Ortiz was21 Councilman-at-large, and I was at that22 time President of the National Conference23 of Puerto Rican Women, and I was looking24 throughout history and everything about25 89 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 this (witness speaking in Spanish) with2 this gerrymandering thing, and I said,3 Oh, my God. In the 1800, what happened4 in Boston, they made like a salamander,5 and it became a famous word that you6 still using today.7 Now, it was so sad later on8 when I finally realized that the map was9 sent out that we didn't have anything to10 envy. For what? From Boston? We have11 our own snake in Philadelphia. So it was12 what? It was a wonderful experience.13 Look at that. We are now competing with14 Boston. But we won. I think the snake15 look better than the salamander, because16 its native is a symbol of strength for17 me.18 But what I'm here to tell you19 is that I would like to tell City20 Council, to remind you friendly, that21 remember that you work for the people.22 You do not work for the party. You work23 for the people. And sometimes when these24 mappings are doing, when the census come25 90 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 and everything, everybody thinks about2 their political affiliation and their3 parties. We had a very, very strong4 battle with the democratic party this5 past time to be able to elect Marie6 Quinones-Sanchez here, because she wasn't7 even endorsed by the party because she8 wasn't the sect person that the party was9 looking.10 So I'm looking at these mapping11 and history repeating. I'm very12 concerned that the thinking would happen,13 that these map will be done thinking14 about the political parties and15 boundaries and not thinking about the16 people. The people in Philadelphia are17 smart, even though they don't come to18 these meetings. Some of them are very19 busy working. Some women work two jobs.20 They're single mothers. And when they21 have a little free of time, usually one22 of the babies get a cold and they have to23 rush to the hospital and do things. We24 are in very bad economical times. We25 91 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 just came from the earthquake, to the2 storm, to this, to that, and people were3 all confused about that. But one thing4 that people are not confused, people are5 hopeless in the City. They are hopeless6 in the government.7 The other day when they were8 talking about the school superintendent9 leaving with so much money and we don't10 have the money for our children, people11 were like really hurting. I saw women12 crying on the street.13 I talk to a lot of people out14 there, because I do. It's part of my15 job, and people are hopeless. So16 hopefully this meeting in here will give17 us a little hope and that the next time18 that City Council wants to do something,19 hopefully we'll have interpreters20 available so that the people in the21 community could come and feel that they22 are a part of it, that it's not la gente23 grande or one side of people.24 (Applause.)25 92 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231
That we could make2 our own decision.3 So, again, please, City Council4 people, I'm very happy and thank you for5 allowing me to come here and sit at the6 last minute to testify. But remember,7 you work for the people, not for the8 party.9 Thank you.10 (Applause.)11
Thank12 you, Iris. Well noted.13 Thomas D. El, republican ward14 leader in the 32nd Ward; John Lavery; and15 Ms. Rorng Sorn from the Cambodian16 Association of Greater Philadelphia. My17 apologies. People butcher my name, too.18 (Witnesses approached witness19 table.)20
Well, good evening,21 Madam President and member of City22 Council. Thank you so much for the23 opportunity for me to share my testimony.24 Actually, it was really short notice and25 93 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 I did not have a chance to put in2 writing, but I just want to reiterate3 what Stella Tsai --4
Can you5 say your name for the record? You might6 want to spell it for the stenographer.7
My name is Rorng8 Sorn and I am the Executive Director of9 the Cambodian Association of Greater10 Philadelphia, and we have office in11 Olney, Logan and also in South12 Philadelphia, and for the past at least13 six years, we've been very active trying14 to educate our community who really had15 no previous knowledge or understanding of16 be able to vote, to really exercise their17 right to vote.18 So I'm here today again to19 reiterate what Stella Tsai and Andy Toy20 was talking about and also to please try21 to keep our community together, because22 we already as a minority of a minority.23 We have very small voice, but24 collectively we can have a bigger voice.25 94 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 So we just wanted to ask for your2 consideration the thing that -- because3 when we trying to encourage our member to4 go out to vote or to exercise their5 right, the City have to look at the6 number of people, how many percent in7 that area who need assistance in8 language. So it have to be the number a9 little bit bigger in order for us to get10 that. So we would like for you to11 consider and to really take into12 consideration to keep our neighborhood13 together and to also protect our14 fundamental right just -- right to vote15 and also the economic and the community16 together.17 So I appreciate your attention,18 and thank you so much.19
I'd just23 like to thank Rorng for coming out to24 testify. I invite you to come next25 95 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 Tuesday at Einstein, because that is your2 neighborhood. Thank you.3
5 Thank you for this opportunity to speak6 before you. I appreciate your long and7 intensive attention to us as the hours8 drag on. My name is John Lavery and I'm9 the Executive Director of The Lighthouse,10 an organization that has served the11 citizens of the 7th Councilmanic District12 since 1893. 19 For 118 years, The Lighthouse20 has fought for such issues as jobs,21 education, women's rights and the rights22 of Latinos in our community. Over the23 years, The Lighthouse has sought to end24 such scourges as substance abuse and25 96 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 hunger. 5 But the injustice represented6 in the existing lines of the 7th District7 rival any of the causes The Lighthouse8 has taken up in the past century. 13 In addition to my affiliation14 with The Lighthouse, I can also say that15 I lived for over a decade in the very16 senatorial district outside of Boston for17 which the term gerrymandering was18 invented. 22 Now, I don't know the23 intentions behind those who are24 responsible for the current configuration25 97 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 of the 7th District, but I do know its2 effect. The original gerrymandered3 district in Massachusetts was drawn for4 political purposes, to preserve and5 protect a political party that was in the6 ruling majority at the time. It appears7 the 7th was drawn to punish and penalize8 an ethnic group that is now the majority9 in the district. 12 The term was used because the original13 district in Massachusetts vaguely14 resembled the shape of a salamander in15 appearance. That being said, the16 immediate image that came to my mind when17 I first saw the shape and impact of the18 current 7th was that of a hooded medieval19 executioner with its axe blade raised20 high, poised for his deadly stroke. 25 98 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 18 It is an injustice that the Council now19 has the power to redress. 25 99 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. )13
Thank14 you. We are going to continue. We got15 Jordan Gwendolyn, Steve Kimbrough, Doron,16 and then Mike McCrea and Trudy Haynes are17 our last to testify.18 We want to thank everyone for19 their patience.20 (Witnesses approached witness21 table.)22
Hello, everyone.23 Thank you for holding this meeting right24 now.25 100 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 I just want to clarify2 something. My last name is Davis. My3 middle name is Gwendolyn, despite what my4 personal Facebook profile says, and I5 prefer female pronouns, and I am speaking6 for myself and it may not be reflective7 of Liberty City Democrats as a whole.8 But anyway, I just wanted to9 say this about the gayborhood, a place10 where I often like come to receive11 services and to sometimes play. I do not12 believe that Mark Squilla, who will be13 coming in as the 1st Council -- member of14 the 1st Council District, is fit to15 represent the gayborhood. One of the16 reasons why I think Squilla would be a17 bad choice is because he is the machine's18 choice.19 The queer community has20 depended on public servants who act on21 principle and who are willing to buck the22 party bosses. Squilla, whose campaign23 was spooied by many of the powerful party24 bosses in Philly, I'd be worried -- it25 101 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 seems like the type of person who would2 sell us out if they gave the word. And3 he also got endorsed by Councilperson4 DiCicco, who although he's had a good5 past of dealing with the queer community,6 he is taking actions against the queer7 community's interest as of late in 2011,8 including the homelessness9 criminalization bill, which thankfully10 was watered down, but not after11 massive -- but after massive outcry, and12 his no vote on the sick days bill, the13 bill being supported by various LGBTIQ14 organizations.15 This is why I propose that the16 gayborhood be shifted over to the 2nd17 Council District, which will as of 201218 be represented by Kenyatta Johnson in19 exchange for the 1st expanding to the20 Navy Yard and into the 26th Ward.21 Mr. Johnson was endorsed by the Liberty22 City Democrats as someone who is present23 in the candidates, and I can say that in24 compliance with the LGBT competence and25 102 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 other poverty issues which affect many2 members of the queer community to be a3 representative for all members of the4 queer community, no matter what their5 life experiences may be.6 So, again, I want to thank you7 for this opportunity to speak. And8 although like there's a lot of different9 interests here, I can say like I spoke up10 and I have the right to complain for the11 next ten years.12 (Applause.)13
We fully14 expect you, Jordan Gwendolyn, to be15 there.16
Members of the17 Council, thank you. I have prepared18 remarks which I'm giving you, and they're19 not much longer than the three minutes,20 but I'm going to try to honor your21 three-minute limit as best I can.22 My name is Steve -- so I'll23 truncate some of what's here.24 My name is Steve Kimbrough.25 103 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 I'm a Professor at the University of2 Pennsylvania at the Wharton School. I am3 a Decision Scientist. I specialize4 broadly in what's called computational5 intelligence. I'm speaking here as a6 member of what we call Team Fred. Now,7 this team submitted one of the -- we were8 one of the contestants in the Azavea9 competition, and we think it's a great10 thing, this competition. And I'm not11 here to flog any particular plan. I'm12 making a subtle point. George Bush is13 famous for saying, It's not my job to14 nuance. It's my job to nuance, so --15
Please16 speak into the microphone for the17 stenographer. I'm sorry.18
So what I want19 to do is -- I think the contest is a20 great thing, but I want to make a21 slightly different point that is22 complementary to it, and I think I have23 some positive news for you. 25 104 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 3 Suppose that in doing4 redistricting we could begin with a pool5 of good plans. Let us call these the6 contenders, as in on the waterfront I7 could have been a contender. Each of the8 contenders, think 20 or 30 in all, meets9 the legal requirements for contiguity and10 population size and is reasonably11 compact. Deliberation, both public and12 private, then focuses on these13 contenders. 17 Anyone at any time may, of course, add to18 the list of contenders, provided the new19 addition meets the legal requirements and20 is reasonably compact. 25 105 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 3 It is the job of the political process to4 accommodate differing views and5 interests, including and even especially6 those not represented in any given7 decision model or formula. The job of8 deliberation, both public and private, is9 to surface and give hearing to these10 differing views and interests, the11 wonderful thing about what we have here12 today. The process I have described is13 based upon the principle or even the14 philosophy of solution pluralism. The15 core idea is to base decision-making not16 just on one supposedly best solution but17 on a collection, a pool or a plurality of18 reasonable solutions; that is, on the19 contenders. 22 Now, all of this sounds good23 and commonsensical, but it has not been24 genuinely possible. It has not been25 106 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 practicable, because there has been no2 way of identifying a comprehensive pool3 of contenders. This is needed because if4 you buy us the start, you will buy us the5 conclusion. 14 Our methods can find very many very good15 plans. These are plans you would be very16 unlikely to find otherwise. It is this17 that presents an opportunity for a18 win-win situation. 20 I am not speaking21 hypothetically. Limiting ourselves only22 to plans that did not break up any of the23 City's 66 wards, we have discovered more24 than 100 distinct contenders, plans that25 107 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 meet the legal requirements and that are2 reasonably compact. Many of them look3 great. No doubt most of them can be4 improved by taking into account the5 various views and interests expressed6 today and above. We have posted these --7 and should be. 9 We have posted these plans on10 the web. Anyone can view the maps. As I11 said, more than 100. 17 The methods we have invented18 and used are quite general. We have19 worked at the ward level, but any level20 is possible. Perhaps you would like to21 divide the City into neighborhoods that22 should not be split. 24 Two, in consequence of our25 108 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 methods being very general, they will be2 useful for many districting issues beyond3 voting. Think police, fire and other4 services provided by the City. 8 Three, we are acting here in9 our roles as university researchers, with10 complete transparency. All of our data11 are already publicly available. 18 The genie is out of the bottle in the19 sense that it is now possible to produce20 for public discussions very many21 high-quality solutions. 25 109 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 We hope the City Council will2 embrace this new opportunity. 6 Thanks for listening. )10
I want11 to recognize one of our colleagues,12 Councilman Darrell Clarke, who has joined13 us.14 Councilman Goode has a15 question.16
Continuing17 on the same line of questioning from18 before, do you believe the ward maps19 should be redrawn?20
I've been here21 listening, so I've thought about that.22 In one sense I wouldn't presume to tell23 you that, but I'll say the following: As24 I noted in the testimony, it would seem25 110 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 to be a very natural thing to want to do2 to honor the neighborhoods, and if you --3 but we don't have a really good4 definitive, even authoritative5 neighborhood map. So one opportunity in6 redrawing the wards would be to have them7 fit neighborhoods that you're happy to8 live with and then redistrict in terms of9 the wards. That is a very sensible thing10 to do.11
What stuck12 out in your testimony was the fact you13 said if you start with false or wrong14 assumptions, you'll end up with false or15 wrong assumptions. Therefore, if the16 ward maps are patently unfair and you're17 forced to draw the districts based upon18 those ward maps, that complicates19 matters.20
We're not21 presuming to say these are good22 districts. I'm not trying to say that.23 I'm trying to show you that there's a lot24 of reasonable districts possible. And so25 111 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 how it's actually going to come out2 depends on just how unfair it is, and I3 don't know the answer to that. You have4 to judge for yourself.5
My question6 is not whether the districts are fair or7 not. I'm not even trying to argue too8 heavily about whether the wards are fair9 or not. I think an examination of that10 will show they're unfair in a number of11 different ways. I guess what I'm getting12 to is simply that if the best process for13 this is as you laid it out, that it's14 based upon neighborhoods or based upon15 other things that are important to us in16 all facets of life, not just political,17 then shouldn't the wards perhaps be based18 upon those factors, and doesn't it start19 with how we design that?20 I'm actually sitting here21 pulling up different maps from the City22 Planning Commission and there are a23 variety of different things. There are24 health center maps, there are police25 112 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 districts.2 So I guess the question is,3 yes, we're talking about political4 boundaries and in specific discussions5 about Council districts, but if the way6 the maps are really drawn politically or7 by ward, isn't it essential that we look8 at that ward mapping as well?9
I would think10 so, yes. It seems very, very sensible to11 me.12
We will18 continue with Doron, Mike McCrea and then19 Trudy Haynes. Those are the last folks20 that we have to testify.21 (Witnesses approached witness22 table.)23
So we24 will continue with Mike McCrea and Trudy25 113 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. MR. I'm Mike McCrea and I'm a5 member of the 42nd Ward. I'm a6 committeeman of the 42nd Ward. And I7 think my real comment was -- I didn't8 really have any written testimony. My9 real comment on this was, I think the10 process is the thing that everybody gets11 really upset about when you talk about12 this. 17 You know, one of the things --18 I only have to go back to the last19 redistricting to really kind of make a20 lot of the points that have been made21 here. 25 114 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 At the end of the last redistricting2 process, we were in three districts,3 about 45 percent in one Council district,4 about 35 in another and about 20 in a5 third. And the third one actually went6 right between the middle, you know. So7 it went between. You got one ward,8 another ward, and then the third one just9 kind of came and split us right down the10 middle. 14 All three of them happen to be here15 tonight, and they all have done what I16 consider a pretty good job, but it's17 just -- it's hard to juggle all those18 balls when you got one ward and three19 different Councilpeople. You got to20 juggle all those balls. You can't have21 all three at the same meeting, so you got22 to have a meeting about something going23 in one part of the division in one night,24 in another part of the division another25 115 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 night and another part another night,2 because you just can't get them all three3 there on the same night, and it makes it4 hard. And while we have a good ward5 leader in Elaine Tomlin, it just makes it6 more difficult for all of us, because7 depending upon what part of the division8 you live in depends on which9 Councilperson you're going to. And you10 kind of almost have to think about it11 that way. 13 And myself, there were three14 different bills, redistricting bills, the15 last time, and each of those three bills16 had me in a different district. 18 I'm sitting here just talking about19 myself. And I went down to the one20 hearing that was a public hearing, which21 was the day that you guys actually passed22 that bill, and the amazing thing about it23 was that they changed the bill at24 lunchtime. So they redrew the whole line25 116 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 at lunchtime, and in an hour and a half,2 they redid the whole thing and redid the3 process and put it up again. And I was4 the first one up in the afternoon, and5 the first line I said -- and I'm sure you6 remember, Council President. I got up7 and I said -- I was speechless. I know8 you find that hard to believe, but I was9 speechless, and I said, What district am10 I in? You just changed it again. In the11 span of an hour and a half, you changed12 the map, changed the divisions, changed13 the whole thing again. I had to look on14 it to see where I was. And in an hour15 and a half, there were about ten people16 behind me to testify, and then you voted17 it out of committee. 23 And through the process,24 through those three different bills, each25 117 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 one having me in a different district, I2 started out in one district, and then the3 second bill came up and once that became4 public, the Council representative --5 and, again, to his credit, he kind of6 answered me about this, but came out the7 next day and said, I'm not interested in8 serving those people. 11 So it's like the process itself12 just didn't seem really fair to me and it13 was just the process of you only had one14 public hearing. The day that you voted15 on the bill was the one public hearing16 that you had, and in the span of an hour17 and a half, you changed it and then the18 50 people sitting in the room were the19 only ones that actually saw the final20 bill, the one that we're living with21 right now. 24 We realize a lot of the other25 118 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES.
4 And to answer your question,5 Councilman Goode, I absolutely think they6 need to be redrawn fair. I think the7 ward boundaries need to be redrawn8 better. I'll say it. I'm not afraid to9 say it. I think so. I think part of it10 is, if you're going to do it that way, if11 you're going to do it as a ward-based12 thing, if the wards aren't drawn right,13 then the redistricting can't be done14 right. I agree with you. 17 But as far as that goes, I18 appreciate the fact that you did have a19 public hearing here, but ultimately20 still, we still haven't seen the draft21 plan that you guys have yet and you got,22 what, two weeks? 23
One24 week.25 119 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 MR. McCREA: One week. And we2 haven't seen it yet. It hasn't become3 public. We don't even know what you guys4 are talking about. We know. And I was5 one of those people that actually went6 online and actually did the whole plan7 and submitted one to the gentleman8 earlier. We were sitting at the one at9 WHYY, what, a couple weeks ago when we10 actually went over all that. You know, I11 did that, and I took advantage of all of12 that, but that's the whole problem. This13 is it.14 Granted, we have a public15 hearing out here and this is great, but16 what are we looking at? We don't know17 what you're looking at. Now we do.18
We don't19 either.20 MR. McCREA: I mean, let's go.21 It's a week away. And I think also we22 should look into maybe extending it23 longer and making it a longer process so24 that we can do these things and talk25 120 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 through it, because it is a process. It2 is a tough process. And those of us who3 went through -- and I have to agree with4 the guy who came up with a computer5 program. When we went through it, it is6 a hard process to do, splitting wards and7 splitting neighborhoods and there's so8 many factors to worry into it, not to9 mention, you know, you look at the way10 we're redistricting the City for11 everything. The police districts are12 different from the fire districts.13 They're different from the school14 districts. They're different from the15 recreation districts. They're different16 from the fire districts. Everyone has a17 different -- and they all cross over.18 In my neighborhood I'm in the19 middle of four districts. At Frankford20 Creek right there at Roosevelt Boulevard21 right at the other end of my22 neighborhood, four police districts meet23 at that one spot. So depending on where24 you're standing on Frankford, you walk25 121 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 one way on the Boulevard, four different2 ways, you can be in four different police3 districts, so...4
No one5 will arrest you.6 MR. McCREA: Well, if I'm7 standing in the middle, where do I go,8 you know? You can sit there and argue9 about who is going to arrest you right in10 the middle, right?11 But anyway, thank you. I12 appreciate that.13
Maria,17 could I ask him a question?18 Just we're talking about19 neighborhoods today, and we did end up20 with one of the wards split between the21 three District Councilmembers here, and22 we were talking about that today in terms23 of how you define neighborhoods and we24 sort of looked at that 42nd Ward and25 122 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 there are several neighborhoods within2 that ward.3 MR. McCREA: You're right.4 You're correct.5
So while6 the split came with three different7 Councilmembers, it reflected the8 neighborhood of that ward.9 MR. McCREA: Oh, it did. I do10 believe that. I do agree with that, but11 I mean, if you're splitting it up three12 ways, I think part of it was they brought13 the other one right through the middle14 and it kind of like -- even though15 they're different neighborhoods, there's16 a lot of common problems between those17 and it's like, well, then I got to go to18 you for one, I got to go to her for19 another and I got to go to him for20 another, and it could be 15 blocks apart21 and I got to go either to him or to her22 or to her, but --23
But you24 live in one of those neighborhoods.25 123 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 You're dealing with those issues in your2 neighborhood.3 MR. McCREA: Oh, yeah. Sure.4
So you5 just go to your Councilperson.6 MR. McCREA: Oh, yeah, but if I7 got something that's happening in the8 neighborhood right next to mine, it9 concerns me just as well. I mean, if I10 got a kid who gets robbed five blocks11 away from me, that's just as much a12 concern as it is in my block in my13 neighborhood. I mean, that's part of it.14 I mean, we as a group, not just in my15 neighborhood -- I'm not that parochial,16 you know. I look at the neighborhoods17 outside of where I go, and if I go across18 the Boulevard -- and you know really19 well. I go across the Boulevard, there's20 some problems over in Olney that we deal21 with as well, and we have to deal with22 those people and we have to deal together23 with those issues. If I help them with24 them, something they're going to come25 124 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 back and help me with something over2 here, or if I help them deal with it, I'm3 not going to get it from over in Olney,4 it's not going to come my way if I help5 them deal with it first. I mean, that's6 part of --7
You're all8 over the place. You're one of the few9 all over the place, and we appreciate10 your involvement in the entire community.11 But my point was that when we did the12 redistricting because based on all the13 other stuff that was going on, it14 reflects the --15 MR. McCREA: And, again, I give16 you credit, because all three of you have17 been out in the neighborhood and all18 three of you have addressed issues in19 your parts of the neighborhood, so it has20 kind of worked out on that way, but in21 the long run, it kind of waters down our22 political clout when it comes to things23 like that.24 COUNCILWOMAN SANCHEZ:25 125 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 Councilman Goode had a --2
It's very3 quick. Technically, everyone has at4 least eight Councilpeople, at least one5 district and seven at-large. I just6 wanted to remind everyone of that.7
You're8 all in his district.9 MR. McCREA: Thank you.10
Thank12 you, Mike.13 Ms. Trudy Haynes, and then that14 will conclude our witness list. Again,15 thank everyone for coming.16
Thank you, Madam17 President, Councilmembers. I may be here18 under misconception. I thought that this19 was going to be a meeting -- first of20 all, I was terribly disappointed at the21 one at Council, Council meeting, Council22 headquarters. I thought this was going23 to be a discussion. I thought there was24 going to be a presentation on both sides25 126 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 that people could take in, and so far,2 everyone has been concerned about that.3 So I only have about a few questions, if4 that's allowed. That's my job. I'm5 Trudy Haynes -- I'm sorry. I didn't6 announce myself -- and I'm a TV reporter.7
We'd be8 happy to take them for the record and9 maybe if we can't respond to them all10 today, that they be included for the11 record.12
One, I think a lot13 of people that are here tonight want to14 know if this Commission feels confident15 that they can reach the deadline, the16 current deadline, or has there been some17 consideration to extend the deadline?18
The19 deadline will be when we finish, and if20 we don't finish, there are consequences.21 So we've been through this several times22 before. So we pretty much know if we23 don't meet whatever the deadline is, we24 will come to some conclusion at some25 127 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 point.2
The only3 consequence in the timeline is that we4 will not get paid if in fact Council does5 not approve a final bill by -- our6 deadline is September 9th. Based on the7 payroll schedules, in our September 22nd8 meeting if that doesn't happen, Council9 will stop receiving pay, which it did in10 1991 and in 2001. I think we're11 committed to getting this as fair as12 possible, and if that's the consequence,13 those of us are going to have to bear it.14
Well, is the15 Commission prepared to put something on16 the table that people can look at?17
As18 soon as we have a plan ready, we19 certainly will share it with -- the20 Councilmembers will share it with our21 community.22
I'm sure you will23 when you have it ready, but the point24 is --25 128 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231
Everyone knows4 there's a deadline and everyone is trying5 to meet that deadline.6
Even the people9 that are testifying. How can they absorb10 what has to be done without something on11 the table? They're putting things on the12 table, but we're not getting a response13 from the Commission.14
I think15 there's a commitment by us to try to16 develop a consensus map. We are working17 very aggressively to put forth a map that18 we understand may not be the final map,19 and we're committed to do so by September20 8th to present something, and then we21 will take as long as it's necessary for22 us to get the nine and, as we've seen in23 the past, 12 votes necessary in case of a24 mayoral veto.25 129 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231
Councilman Goode2 brought up a good point. You've been3 asking people which way you should go,4 take into consideration the wards or the5 diversity or the number of people. What6 is the Commission's criteria?7
I am not on8 the committee. I have actually answered9 this question for people that have asked10 me this publicly. There are two things.11 The district should be proportional and12 the gerrymandering districts must be13 changed. Those are two primary driving14 things for me.15
By law. By21 law, they should be proportional, and by22 law, none of the districts should be23 gerrymandered.24
Well, then I'm not25 130 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 going to --2
So the3 process is actually defined for us4 legally. People have bent the process in5 the past, but legally there's no question6 about what we're supposed to do and how7 we're supposed to accomplish it.8
So when can the9 public expect something from the10 Commission that we can look at?11
We12 expect by September 8th to have the first13 draft of a bill presented in Council.14 That is the goal of the Commission, and15 we're working -- it's August 31st. It's16 Labor Day weekend. We've all been17 working aggressively and we're committed18 to this.19
That's25 131 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 our goal.2
And then are we3 permitted then to -- go ahead, Darrell.4 I'm sorry.5
Are we then8 permitted to discuss that draft or have9 you already decided what it's going to10 be?11
All12 legislative bills require a public13 hearing before they can be voted. In the14 case -- we will present it in Council on15 the 8th. The Committee of the Whole will16 have to hold a public hearing and we will17 have to vote on it. As you all know, we18 now are required to provide public19 testimony during our Council, so there20 will be three Council sessions in the21 next month where there can be additional22 public input before a final vote is23 taken.24 Councilman Clarke, you had25 132 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 something to add?2
Thank you,3 Councilwoman. First of all, I would like4 to apologize for being late. I was5 delayed in City Hall with two meetings.6 I couldn't tear myself out of there. And7 then I got to be honest with you, I kind8 of got lost on my way up here.9
But I just11 wanted to first say I want to thank12 Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez for13 arranging this public meeting, a very14 good turnout. It gives an opportunity to15 the public to speak on an issue that is16 traditionally viewed as an insider's17 process.18 Not to make excuses, but I19 think anybody who has been paying20 attention to the problem that's before21 us, this is a very challenging process22 because of the shift in population23 primarily on one side of the City, in the24 northern part of the City. The other25 133 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 part of the issue is somewhat2 challenging. We're going to have an3 overturn of a significant number of4 Councilmembers, most of them District5 Councilpeople. So you essentially have a6 number of Councilpeople who just ran for7 a seat, and they would obviously like to8 be involved in the process. So you not9 only have the incumbent Councilmembers,10 you also have the nominees for the11 various seats, who are not technically12 elected. So that's a process that has13 confused us, to a degree.14 The other thing, that there was15 actually some confusion as it relates to16 when the actual census data was given to17 us and was available for us to actually18 start working on the process. In19 addition to which, this happened in the20 midst of what we consider a very crucial21 School District hearing as it relates to22 getting that resolved. So it was like a23 whole lot of set of circumstances that if24 they had not happened, we would have25 134 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 started on this much quicker. And as I2 say, that's not an apology. That's just3 a simple fact.4 But the reality is, having, I5 think, four of the five members here went6 through the last Council process and I7 got to tell you, there's a whole lot more8 openness in this particular process.9 There were multiple hearings, but those10 multiple hearings were based on vetoes of11 the Mayor, so it wasn't traditional12 hearings, and all of those were in City13 Council. So it was a different process.14 And I think that this body and these15 members have tried to accommodate as much16 as possible, at a minimum, giving people17 an opportunity to speak.18 Ultimately, we will craft a19 bill. If it takes for us to miss a few20 paychecks -- I'm speaking for myself,21 because I'm never going to talk about22 anybody else's finances -- then maybe we23 will have to miss a couple of paychecks24 until we get this thing right. But I25 135 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 guarantee you that we will come up with a2 proposal that hopefully is fair and as3 reasonable as possible and correct with4 some of the challenges. But I just don't5 think given the significant change in6 population that we're going to be in a7 position to come up with ten squares.8 It's just realistically not going to9 happen. So there will be some districts10 that look a little funny to the average11 person, but at the end of the day, I12 concur with Councilman Goode, that you13 will have -- and I'm only going to speak14 for him, because he's here. You will15 have at least two great Councilpeople16 representing you, whatever district you17 end up in and Councilman Goode.18
I want to thank19 the Commission for at least letting me20 pose those questions, and I'll be posing21 some more.22
Thank you,25 136 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 Madam Chair.2
Thank3 you. So we're going to conclude this4 hearing and we're going to let our5 President Verna close out with more6 official information about further public7 hearings.8 I want to thank all of the9 folks, Esperanza for hosting us, all of10 the people that came out and testified.11 (Applause.)12
For the13 record, especially the folks who have14 been doing this for 30, 40 years, I15 appreciate it. I was at Council late in16 '91, and in 2001, I joined many of you on17 that other side of the table, and having18 been here, I want to agree with19 Councilman Clarke, the spirit of20 discussion has been very open among the21 Council colleagues. This is a very22 difficult task, but that's what you23 elected us to do, and so we're going to24 have to abide by our constitutional duty25 137 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 to produce a map that will not only pass2 the smell test but the legal test and3 hopefully some of the moral test for us4 as citizens of the City of Philadelphia.5 So with that, I want to thank6 President Verna and the Committee for7 allowing us to hold this public session,8 and she will close out.9
Thank10 you.11 Again, I thank you also, and I12 would just like to announce that this13 hearing is being continued until Tuesday,14 September the 6th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:3015 p.m. at Einstein Medical Center at --16
--19 Broad and Olney.20 So thank you all so very much.21 I guess everybody knows where Broad and22 Olney is. 5501 Old York Road. Thank23 you. Thank you all again.24 (Applause.)25 138 8/31/11 - WHOLE - RES. 1105231 (Committee of the Whole2 adjourned at 7:25 p.m.)3 - - -4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 139 1 CERTIFICATE2 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the3 proceedings, evidence and objections are4 contained fully and accurately in the5 stenographic notes taken by me upon the6 foregoing matter on August 31, 2011, and that7 this is a true and correct transcript of same.8 9 10 11 12 --------------------13 MICHELE L. MURPHY14 RPR-Notary Public15 16 17 18 (The foregoing certification of this19 transcript does not apply to any reproduction20 of the same by any means, unless under the21 direct control and/or supervision of the22 certifying reporter.)23 24 25