Just a few days ago, while reading the paper, Esther Perez Martin discovered an opportunity she couldn't pass up to apply to be part of this new way of drawing the lines of state legislative districts, "I know how to be a team leader, I know how to work in groups."
The 'group' is the "California redistricting Commission" supported by governor Schwarzenegger and authorized by voters in 2008. Fast forward to today where the states Auditor has been taking on line applications for the 14 member commission since mid- September. Steven Benito Russo is one of the point men on the project, "The initial application, aside from getting your name and contact information, is to having you go through the process to determine whether or not you are really even eligible."
Certain californians are automatically disqualified ... they include:
Candidates or Elected State office holders
Political party consultants
Political Party officers and staff
State or Federal lobbyists
Or those who have contributed 2-thousand dollars to candidates in year
East of Clovis another applicant is looking to get involved. Charlene Stevles has applied; she describes herself as politically aware and thinks her assembly district doesn't make sense, "Went around the city of Sanger. Why? Went around the city of Reedley. Why?"
To date the applicant pool stands at 5-thousand but more are needed to ensure the final panel of fourteen will reflect all of California. And the state auditor's office is pressing the need for more women, minority and ethnic residents to apply.
Esther Perez Martin agrees it should: I hope that the group that is selected does a good job and is a reflection of the entire state of California."
The deadline for the on-line application is February 12th. The 14 member commission is to be seated by the end of this year. Between now and then there's a lot of work to do and a lot applications to pare down in a series of ongoing steps.
If you want to get involved you can attend any of three Citizens Redistricting Commission Forums occurring February 12th in three Valley cities: Modesto, Fresno and Bakersfield. Each location will be part of the video conference and be held at the Valley Air Pollution District's three locations.
