Palisades Community Council's Concerns Not Addressed in Redrawn Maps, Chair Says

Pacific Palisades Community Council Chair Janet Turner told Patch that the panel wanted to be involved in the process of drawing up California's redistricting maps.

"PPCC did send two letters to the California Citizens Redistricting Commission," said Turner. "A few of our concerns were addressed but not nearly enough."

Last week, the Redistricting Commission released a preliminary final draft of the maps altering the boundaries for state Assembly, state Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. According to the new maps, Pacific Palisades will be in the 33rd Congressional District, the 50th Assembly District and the 26th State District.

Pacific Palisades is currently represented by state Sen. Fran Pavley in the 23rd Senate District.

"Fran Pavely and the current configuration of our state Senate district have been a great benefit to Pacific Palisades. If this change goes through she will be greatly missed," said Turner.

The Citizens Redistricting Commission said it held 34 hearings and received more than 20,000 written comments. Officials from the organization said they were trying to engage the public in the process. However, some feel the organization did not involve the community enough.

"I was very disappointed that the commission did not give us all the draft maps they promised but jumped to a final map with the community barely able to weigh in," said Turner.

A commission vote to adopt the final maps is scheduled for Aug. 15.

The Citizens Redistricting Commission is composed of 14 members from various political and ethnic backgrounds and from a variety of geographic locations. The commission was created after voters passed Proposition 11, the Voters First Act, in November 2008.

Patch writer Devin Kelly and Marina del Rey editor Paul Chavez contributed to this report.