REDISTRICTING FOCUS OF Saguaro Eastside Democrats MEETING

On Monday, September 19, political activist Bill Roe will help people understand both the significance and the process of redistricting in Arizona through a presentation and a question and answer period. Roe will be the guest of Saguaro Eastside Democrats (SED) at their meeting held at New Spirit Lutheran Church, 8701 E. Old Spanish Trail (northeast corner of Camino Seco).

Roe, who was a Democratic candidate for the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, was recently elected to the Democratic National Committee representing Pima County.

The SED meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments and time for socializing. Roe’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m. All SED meetings are open to the public. You do not have to be a member to attend. For further information, call 520-850-6755.

For info on the AZ Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC): http://www.azredistricting.org/

AIRC had a first round of statewide public hearings this summer. In South Tucson on August 2, 86 people signed in, 62 requested to speak; on August 6 in Tucson, 140 signed in, 76 requested to speak. So there’s been a lot of interest in this Commission’s work and the process of drawing up new Congressional & state legislative maps. And there have been accusations of violations of the AZ Open Meetings laws and other issues of non-disclosure by Commissioners. Stay tuned as the Commission continues their work and draws up a proposed redistricting map for Arizona.

The AIRC’s Executive Director Ray Bladine explained the current situation on KUAT Channel 6 on September 13 (click here).

And to read in-depth analysis of the Commissions’ meetings, see Steve Muratore’s blogsite, The Arizona Eagletarian (www.stevemuratore.blogspot.com).