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The way its districts are drawn, Darien has two state senators representing its residents. At a public hearing Monday night for a committee in charge of redrawing district lines, state Rep. Terrie Wood was one of many who asked that the committee create districts that would be easier for voters to understand.
The Connecticut General Assembly Reapportionment Committee is tasked with dividing the state into Congressional and legislative districts according to census data. The bipartisan committee is made up of eight state legislators.
Wood, a Republican who represents Darien and Norwalk, requested that the committee draw the district lines so Darien would have one state senator, rather than be represented by two who each also represent other towns. That way, it would be easier for residents to know who was representing their town.
John Hartwell of Westport echoed the sentiment. "Look at Westport, for example. Most of it belongs to the 28th District, but a tiny slice of it belongs to the 26th. There is a lack there of an organic feel as to who is representing that town."
Ed Krumeich and Joe Kantorski of Greenwich called the current districting of their town "gerrymandering" and submitted a map that drew district lines according to the town's RTM zones. Their proposal would redistrict the town to create a shore zone, a central zone and a northern zone.
"What we're proposing makes sense. It puts together the similar neighborhoods of Greenwich," Krumeich said.
Another topic discussed at the public hearing had to do with how convicts are counted. Many wanted the committee to begin counting incarcerated individuals as part of the community that they originally come from, rather than as part of the communities in which they are imprisoned.
The Reapportionment Committee will hold another public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Fair Haven Middle School in New Haven, and at 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. The panel must complete redrawing the lines by Sept. 15.
How do you think Connecticut districts should be redrawn? Leave a comment below.
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