As discussed by my colleague, Councilmember Rae Gabelich, in a recent letter [Drawing the Line, June 24, 2011], Long Beach is currently redrawing the City Council district lines. Under the “one person, one vote” principle derived from the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, we must redistrict after every census to achieve approximately equal populations in our council districts. Because of population growth in the 8th and 9th districts, this means that to comply with the law the 7th district must move north.
The preliminary map proposed by Council rejoins the neighborhoods of Old and New Bixby with Bixby Terrace and Bixby Highlands, which have historically all been in the same district. The proposal moves them from one district to another, as required to meet the necessary population shifts, without splitting neighborhoods down alleys, residential streets, etc. Additionally, the proposal avoids stretching out our districts by keeping them compact and avoids splitting additional census tracts. Thus, it respects the redistricting guidelines that the Council unanimously approved.
While I certainly understand that some would prefer to avoid the change that redistricting brings, our duty is to meet our legal requirement to equalize populations in the best manner possible. Regardless of what redistricting plan is passed, I look forward to representing my entire district, including the Bixby neighborhoods and part of the Atlantic business corridor, as I do today. I am confident that the 7th and 8th districts will continue to work with local residents to improve quality of life in the Bixby Knolls community for years to come.
James Johnson
Councilmember
7th District
