Unger hosts Redistricting Forum Tonite in Martinsburg 7pm

My personal hope (4.00 / 1)

Here's hoping that the legislature will see fit to draw the districts to fit geographic considerations as well as population considerations.

1st -- split it up taking the North Central, like Mon, Marion, and Harrison counties, and group it with the Eastern Panhandle.

2nd -- put the Northern Panhandle with Kanawha County

3rd -- keep basically the same but add counties to even the populations.

That's my hope anyway. The EP and North Central have much more in common, geographically and economically. Plus, it pits McKinley against Capito.

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by: Randolph Clark @ Wed May 04, 2011 at 19:38:10 PM UTC

Objection (0.00 / 0)

We here in the Northern Panhandle would have serious problems with being lumped in with the population of Charleston. The secret to using redistricting as a means of unseating McKinley is by removing Parkersburg from the First District --- not the Northern Panhandle. Wood County and its neighbors are perhaps the most Republican sector of the entire State both in federal and State elections.

Perhaps you should be reminded that of the 12 Northern Panhandle residents elected to the WV Legislature, only one is a Republican. Nearly all of those from Greater Parkersburg are Republicans.

Think again before casting our part of the State off into the abyss.

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by: WV26003 @ Sun May 08, 2011 at 01:24:34 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Parkersburg (4.00 / 1)

If you only took out Wood Co., then you would have too many people under 1st District unless you kept the EP in 2nd. It is a matter of geography as much as it is a way to pit Capito and McKinley. Charleston is 2 hrs from Wheeling and 5 hrs from Martinsburg. I agree Wood County sucks for how many Republicans win there, but I'm not seeing the argument it should be the only part of the 1st excluded and placed in the 2nd. That would throw off the population numbers.

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by: Randolph Clark @ Mon May 09, 2011 at 06:41:09 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Charleston is 3 hours (2.00 / 1)

And why should we have to compete with them for federal dollars?

Now, let's look at the State level for the EP, shall we?

-WV House Districts 47 to 58 are located entirely within the Eastern Panhandle. 9 Republicans to 3 Democrats.
-WV Senate Districts 14 to 16 each cover portions of the Eastern Panhandle. 4 Democrats and 2 Republicans.
-Northern Panhandle. 11 Democrats and 1 Republican.

The fact remains that Parkersburg-Ripley and Grant County to western Jefferson County are entirely dominated by Republicans. 25% of the Republicans in the WV House of Delegates come from the Eastern Panhandle.

Having one-half of one county in the EP represented by Democrats in Charleston does not warrant casting off a Democratic stronghold into Capito's district just because you feel left out.

I appreciate you making me even more grateful that Senator Orphy Klempa is on the redistricting commission. Additionally, I thank WVaBlue for encouraging me to speak out when the commission meets in Wheeling --- specifically to oppose any idea of lumping Wheeling in with Charleston.

P.S. Using your "travel time" scenario, Morgantown, Fairmont, and Clarksburg should all stay with Wheeling since they are less than 2 hours travel time from each other. How long does it take to get from Martinsburg to Clarksburg? 3 hours.

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by: WV26003 @ Mon May 09, 2011 at 11:57:15 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

EP vs. NP (4.00 / 1)

MBJefferson's breakdown puts the NP, Parkersburg, Charleston together - and the balance of Obama/McCain votes in each is almost identical.  Makes sense in culture and common interests, too.

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by: JAWVMM @ Tue May 10, 2011 at 01:43:17 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Really? (2.00 / 1)

In what way do Wheeling and Charleston have a similar interest of "culture"? I'd sure like to hear that one.

If you all want to create division between the Panhandles rather than unity, that's fine. But, be prepared to receive a serious backlash.

At this point, I'm ready to use every outlet available to me and consign the Eastern Panhandle to the oblivion of Republican rule for the next ten years. Don't think I won't. I will utilize every legislative contact I have here in the Northern Panhandle (mind you, it is many) simply to smack down the EP.

I'm all for Wheeling and Martinsburg sharing the First District, but leave out one of the most reliably Democratic parts of this State (the NP), and you will see your little Cowles-Kump-Miller-Householder part of the State in redistricting ruin.

Decide.

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by: WV26003 @ Tue May 10, 2011 at 02:24:41 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Industry (4.00 / 1)

The Ohio River counties, plus Kanawha, have been industrial since before the Civil War.  Most of the remaining agriculture and timber are in the EP and eastern mountain strip.  Southern WV is coal.  North Central has some of everything, and Central has little of anything.

It looks to me like we're all going to hang separately if everyone takes this attitude.

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by: JAWVMM @ Tue May 10, 2011 at 15:57:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Industry = culture? (1.00 / 1)

That's a new one. So you're saying that BUSINESS should determine our congressional districts? Are you sure you're a Democrat?

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by: WV26003 @ Tue May 10, 2011 at 20:34:10 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Nope, not business, but the way people live (4.00 / 2)

The ways people make a living determines much of how they live, what they believe, what their problems are, and what they need from government.  The work available determines who comes to live in an area - whether now or in the past.  The pattern of ethinic and religious groups across the state has been determined by who came when to do what work. If you're raising turkeys in Hardy County, you have different issues than a chemical plant worker in Charleston or a coal miner in Mingo county.

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by: JAWVMM @ Tue May 10, 2011 at 21:33:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

So, again, business determines districts (2.00 / 1)

Perhaps you should visit the Northern Panhandle and see how the overwhelming majority of its residents don't work in steel mills.

But, since this is a political issue, I say it makes far more sense for the Kump-Householder-Miller region of WV (aka the Eastern Panhandle) to remain with Shelley Moore Capito.

Methinks the WV Legislature will be wise enough to choose continuity over accommodating a relatively small sect in the Eastern Panhandle.

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by: WV26003 @ Wed May 11, 2011 at 11:06:14 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

It's possible (4.00 / 2)

that Clarksburg, Fairmont, Morgantown don't feel particularly related to Wheeling and would rather be with the EP.  

And if you can't distinguish between business and workers, maybe you aren't a Democrat.

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by: JAWVMM @ Wed May 11, 2011 at 16:27:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Perhaps you should ask them (1.00 / 1)

Perhaps you should ask those folks in Fairmont, Clarksburg, and Morgantown which part of the State they feel more aligned with --- the NP or the EP.

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by: WV26003 @ Wed May 11, 2011 at 20:46:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Guess where I live? (4.00 / 1)

And what the people I know think?

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by: JAWVMM @ Thu May 12, 2011 at 00:27:49 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

So how often (1.00 / 1)

So just how often to you get to Martinsburg? How often do the "people you know" get to Martinsburg?

And back to your cultural claim. Then, perhaps, Martinsburg should be stuck with all the other "hill folk" bordering Virginia.

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by: WV26003 @ Thu May 12, 2011 at 00:58:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I have other obligations with muni. What a bummer! (4.00 / 2)

So pile on the extra senators and delegates; we've been waiting for ten long years for the ones owed us back then. Plus we are due another one. Take that!

And WV-02 is sooo reedunkquequelouse. Shenandoah to the Ohio? Hey, if the council won't endorse one letter maybe we can draft another. Hehe!

NFTT: Support My Team or I Will Dance

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by: CA Berkeley WV @ Wed May 04, 2011 at 19:50:20 PM UTC

How about? (4.00 / 1)

First (Population 618, 214):  Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, Tyler, Doddrige, Pleasants, Richie, Gilmer, Wood, Wirt, Calhoun, Jackson, Roane, Clay, Mason, Putnam, Kanawha

New Second: (Population 617, 424)  Monongalia, Marion, Harrison, Lewis, Upshur, Randolph, Preston, Taylor, Barbour, Tucker, Mineral, Grant, Hardy, Hampshire, Morgan, Berkeley, Jefferson

Third (Population 617, 356)  Pendelton, Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe, Braxton, Webster, Nicholas, Fayette, Raleigh, Summers, Mercer, Boone, Wyoming, McDowell, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne plus the four southernmost precints in Kanawha  - which have cultural ties to the 2nd.

Features McKinley vs. Capito, only one split county, some geographical and historical logic.  Have I broken up any cultural pairs?  I'd love to hear feedback!

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by: MBJefferson @ Thu May 05, 2011 at 03:30:51 AM UTC

Don't think you (0.00 / 0)

can have two incumbents running against each other in redistricting, there is a rule against that happening I have heard.  We need to get Del Doyle (D-Jeff) to weigh in on this as he is a self-professed expert on the subject.

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by: JBdem4usa @ Tue May 10, 2011 at 12:38:37 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thornton Cooper shines (4.00 / 1)

Good democrat and frequent candidate for office Thornton Cooper unveiled his detailed plans to the assembled gathering for last nights forum on redistricting. His obvious knowledge of the subject was never questioned and his background of interest in this subject is unwavering. He delivered maps of all the different political subdivisions both federal and state and how they could be redrawn to satisfy the law and some cultural considerations as well. Overall I think the committee of the senate and some local delegates who have yet to form a committee due to the governor's special election seemed to embrace his plan. The meeting was a huge success and its hoped that the goal of a new and lawful redistricting plan will be supported and adopted by both houses in August. It was good to see former Representative Harley Staggers in attendance and lend his experience to the conversation.

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by: JBdem4usa @ Thu May 05, 2011 at 14:11:05 PM UTC

Martinsburg Journal covers the forum (4.00 / 1)

http://www.journal-news.net/pa...

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by: JBdem4usa @ Thu May 05, 2011 at 20:38:16 PM UTC