The issue that”s heated the supervisors” boardroom for the past weeks goes to the public on Monday.
Though public interest in the plan seems to be limited, there are some groups planning to attend the meeting, in objection to the redistricting plan.
“It is my understanding that there will be a number of people there to object to the present plan,” said Leroy Brooks, District 5 supervisor, who plans to file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice about the plan and the procedure used to put it in place.
“It”s also been an ongoing conversation with legal counsel,” Brooks said.
Among those planning to attend the Monday redistricting hearing is the Lowndes County chapter of the NAACP. Lavonne Harris, chapter president, said the NAACP has several concerns about the plan. She will outline those at Monday”s meeting.
The plan moves part of the Sale voting precinct, north of Highway 182, out of District 3 and into District 1; part of the Trinity voting precinct, south of 182 and east of the Luxapalila Creek, out of District 1 and into District 5; and part of the Union Academy precinct from District 5 to District 2. District 4 is unaffected.
Under the new plan, District 1”s voting population is 71.2-percent white; District 2 is 69.8-percent white; District 3 is 83.2-percent white; District 4 is 79.4-percent black, and District 5 is 62-percent black. Brooks wants at least a 65-percent black majority in District 5 to ensure a “strong black district.”
The motion initially passed on March 25, with a vote of 3-1. Brooks voted against, and District 4 Supervisor Jeff Smith abstained from the vote. Later in the meeting, Smith changed his vote in favor of the plan.
Oxford-based Bridge and Watson drew up the plan, which the supervisors selected from a presentation of four redistricting proposals. Bridge and Watson also has been working on redistricting plans for Lee, Monroe, DeSoto and Tunica counties.
County lines are reviewed every 10 years, in response to the U.S. Census, to ensure the population in each district are about the same. The Justice Department evaluates the plans to assure fairness to minorities.
The public hearing is Monday at 11 a.m. at the Lowndes County Courthouse, in the downstairs courtroom.
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