BY STEPHEN H. COWLES
stephen.cowles@tidewaternews.com

BY REBECCA CHAPPELL
rebecca.chappell@tidewaternews.com

FRANKLIN
If congressional districts in the Hampton Roads region are redrawn, two representatives will be most affected: Congressmen J. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va.). The former legislator has the 4th District, which includes the cities of Chesapeake, Emporia, Franklin and Suffolk as well as the counties of Isle of Wight, Southampton and Sussex. The latter’s territory is the 3rd District, which includes the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Petersburg and Portsmouth, as well as the counties of Charles City and Surry, and parts of Henrico and Prince George.

However, in the new proposed redrawn map, both the 3rd and 4th Districts would see significant changes in the localities of whom they represent. Isle of Wight County and the City of Franklin would change from the 4th District to the 3rd District.

The Virginia General Assembly is required by law to redraw congressional boundaries based on information obtained from the census, which is taken every 10 years. This is done where necessary to achieve a balance for minority candidates and voters. In 2011, the GA did so, which resulted in Petersburg going from the 4th to the 3rd District.

The matter went back and forth a couple of years ago after being questioned by people concerned about the move. Then last Thursday, a civil action case was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia – Richmond Division. The plaintiffs, Gloria Personhuballah and James Farkas of the 3rd District, challenged the move, saying it was “racially gerrymandered in violation of the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. We held that because racial consideration predominated in the drawing of the district boundaries, strict scrutiny applied.”

The matter came before the General Assembly last year, but no action was taken.

“As a result, and after considering input from the parties, we appointed Dr. Bernard Grofman as special master to assist and advise the court in drawing an appropriate remedial plan,” as stated in the suit.

Grofman is a professor of political science at the University of California, Irvine. He has reportedly dealt in over 20 redistricting cases either as a special master or expert witness.

Ultimately, the matter has come before the U.S. Supreme Court, but it could be May or June before the court hears the case, if at all.

The suit proposes that in the interest of the public, the implementation of Grofman’s plan should be suspended until after SCOTUS decides.

It’s stated in the suit that “This shuffling of voters will engender voter confusion, reduce voter participation, foster a disconnect between voters and their legislators, and create significant and avoidable administrative complexity and expense.

“With the 2016 election cycle quickly approaching, a stay pending appeal will mitigate the likelihood of public confusion during the electoral process for 2016 and potentially 2018 as well.”

According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Inc. website, the 3rd District’s current race demographics include 34 percent Caucasian and 59 percent African-American. However, if changed, the race demographics for the district would be 45 percent Caucasian and 48 percent African-American.

Race demographics would also change drastically for the 4th District. Currently, the 4th District is made up of 62 percent Caucasian and 32 percent African-American. If changed, the race demographics would be 51 percent Caucasian and 42 percent African-American.

In a statement released on Scott’s congressional website, he stated: “I am pleased that the court has imposed a new congressional map that fixes the unconstitutional racial gerrymander of Virginia’s third congressional district. This new map is consistent with what State Senator Mamie Locke proposed in 2011 and what I originally recommended in 1991 while serving in the Senate of Virginia.”

Isle of Wight County’s NAACP Chapter was called upon for comment, but President Valerie Butler is out of the country, according to the group’s Facebook page. Wanda Jones, assistant secretary, confirmed Butler is traveling, but would get with the newspaper on her return.

Although it seems that Scott approves of these redrawn lines, not all parties involved are in favor of the proposed changes.

Local officials and business leaders in Isle of Wight and Franklin have mixed feelings about that redrawn congressional districts.

Supervisor Rex Alphin’s hope is that no matter in which district IOW lands, that the county will continue to be well represented in Congress.

“I like communities to be kept together as much as possible. It’s unwise to split them up, especially communities with similar cultures,” he said. “To me, the primary goal is that the citizenry be represented well. That their voice will be heard, and that representatives mirror the citizens’ views in Congress. That’s bottom line. Moving in the opposite direction would be unwise.”

The Carrsville District acknowledges there are challenges to redistricting, noting that state and federal courts have said there was too much packing of minorities in Scott’s district.

“It’s a challenge for Forbes. He’s represented the area very well in Congress,” Alphin said.

Should the county come under District 3, it would still keep Isle of Wight together, which is one thing he likes about the proposed redistricting.

“It does put us in with some areas that are very close to us — right across the James River. It keeps communities together close in one district, not so spread out.”

He added, “My only concern is will Isle of Wight’s voice still be heard, such as social issues and transportation. We need a representative to hear our voice and mirror that.

It’s going to be interesting.”

Isle of Wight spokesman Don Robertson, stated via email in reply to how the county might be affected:

“I have heard a little bit about the proposed changes in Congressional lines; however, it is somewhat difficult to determine what, if any, impact those changes will have on County government — particularly as it relates to economic development. Generally speaking, there is no correlation between the two.”

On the other hand, President and CEO of Franklin-Southampton Economic Development Inc., Amanda Jarrett stated there is a chance of a direct impact on the economic development for the involved places. “Congressman Forbes is a true statesman, focused on finding common ground to work toward the greater good. During his tenure we have called on him as well as his staff for various economic development issues on multiple occasions and he has been incredibly responsive,” she said. “Congressman Forbes has always been accessible when needed and willing to assist us on issues whenever asked. My hope would be that we quickly develop the same type of relationship with our future representative, whoever that may be.”

After having reviewed the available information, Windsor Town Manager Michael Stallings said, “It looks like all of District 4 will shift to District 3, which means with our relationship with Randy Forbes over the years will go away. It would definitely have an impact.

“We’ve never dealt with Mr. Scott, and we would build a new relationship with Mr. Scott. It’s not a positive or negative thing.”

Franklin City Manager Randy Martin stated that his main concern with the redistricting is the fact that Franklin and Isle of Wight County, would no longer be in the same district as Southampton County.

“There are so many affiliations between the three of us, Southampton County in particular. All of those things would be a challenge for us if we are going to be in separate districts. That would cause a lot of difficulties for us,” Martin said.

He also said that he was concerned the level of uncertainty this close to elections. He stated that it’s unnerving not knowing who the candidates are going to be and what district they are going to be in.

BY STEPHEN H. COWLES

STAFF WRITER

stephen.cowles@tidewaternews.com

BY REBECCA CHAPPELL

STAFF WRITER

rebecca.chappell@tidewaternews.com

FRANKLIN

If congressional districts in the Hampton Roads region are redrawn, two representatives will be most effected: Congressmen J. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va.). The former legislator has the 4th District, which includes the cities of Chesapeake, Emporia, Franklin and Suffolk as well as the counties of Isle of Wight, Southampton and Sussex. The latter’s territory is the 3rd District, which includes the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Petersburg and Portsmouth, as well as the counties of Charles City and Surry, and parts of Henrico and Prince George.

However, in the new proposed redrawn map, both the 3rd and 4th Districts would see significant changes in the localities of whom they represent. Isle of Wight County and the City of Franklin would change from the 4th District to the 3rd District.

The Virginia General Assembly is required by law to redraw congressional boundaries based on information obtained from the census, which is taken every 10 years. This is done where necessary to achieve a balance for minority candidates and voters. In 2011, the GA did so, which resulted in Petersburg going from the 4th to the 3rd District.

The matter went back and forth a couple of years ago after being questioned by people concerned about the move. Then last Thursday, a civil action case was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia – Richmond Division. The plaintiffs, Gloria Personhuballah and James Farkas of the 3rd District, challenged the move, saying it was “racially gerrymandered in violation of the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. We held that because racial consideration predominated in the drawing of the district boundaries, strict scrutiny applied.”

The matter came before the General Assembly last year, but no action was taken.

“As a result, and after considering input from the parties, we appointed Dr. Bernard Grofman as special master to assist and advise the court in drawing an appropriate remedial plan,” as stated in the suit.

Grofman is a professor of political science at the University of California, Irvine. He has reportedly dealt in over 20 redistricting cases either as a special master or expert witness.

Ultimately, the matter has come before the U.S. Supreme Court, but it could be May or June before the court hears the case, if at all.

The suit proposes that in the interest of the public, the implementation of Grofman’s plan should be suspended until after SCOTUS decides.

It’s stated in the suit that “This shuffling of voters will engender voter confusion, reduce voter participation, foster a disconnect between voters and their legislators, and create significant and avoidable administrative complexity and expense.

“With the 2016 election cycle quickly approaching, a stay pending appeal will mitigate the likelihood of public confusion during the electoral process for 2016 and potentially 2018 as well.”

According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Inc. website, the 3rd District’s current race demographics include 34 percent Caucasian and 59 percent African-American. However, if changed, the race demographics for the district would be 45 percent Caucasian and 48 percent African-American.

Race demographics would also change drastically for the 4th District. Currently, the 4th District is made up of 62 percent Caucasian and 32 percent African-American. If changed, the race demographics would be 51 percent Caucasian and 42 percent African-American.

In a statement released on Scott’s congressional website, he stated: “I am pleased that the court has imposed a new congressional map that fixes the unconstitutional racial gerrymander of Virginia’s third congressional district. This new map is consistent with what State Senator Mamie Locke proposed in 2011 and what I originally recommended in 1991 while serving in the Senate of Virginia.”

Isle of Wight County’s NAACP Chapter was called upon for comment, but President Valerie Butler is out of the country, according to the group’s Facebook page. Wanda Jones, assistant secretary, confirmed Butler is traveling, but would get with the newspaper on her return.

Although it seems that Scott approves of these redrawn lines, not all parties involved are in favor of the prosed changes.

Local officials and business leaders in Isle of Wight and Franklin have mixed feelings about that redrawn congressional districts.

Supervisor Rex Alphin’s hope is that no matter in which district IOW lands, that the county will continue to be well represented in Congress.

“I like communities to be kept together as much as possible. It’s unwise to split them up, especially communities with similar cultures,” he said. “To me, the primary goal is that the citizenry be represented well. That their voice will be heard, and that representatives mirror the citizens’ views in Congress. That’s bottom line. Moving in the opposite direction would be unwise.”

The Carrsville District acknowledges there are challenges to redistricting, noting that state and federal courts have said there was too much packing of minorities in Scott’s district.

“It’s a challenge for Forbes. He’s represented the area very well in Congress,” Alphin said.

Should the county come under District 3, it would still keep Isle of Wight together, which is one thing he likes about the proposed redistricting.

“It does put us in with some areas that are very close to us — right across the James River. It keeps communities together close in one district, not so spread out.”

He added, “My only concern is will Isle of Wight’s voice still be heard, such as social issues and  transportation. We need a representative to hear our voice and mirror that.

It’s going to be interesting.”

Isle of Wight spokesman Don Robertson, stated via email in reply to how the county might be affected:

“I have heard a little bit about the proposed changes in Congressional lines; however, it is somewhat difficult to determine what, if any, impact those changes will have on County government — particularly as it relates to economic development. Generally speaking, there is no correlation between the two.”

On the other hand, President and CEO of Franklin-Southampton Economic Development Inc., Amanda Jarrett stated there is a chance of a direct impact on the economic development for the involved places.  “Congressman Forbes is a true statesman, focused on finding common ground to work toward the greater good. During his tenure we have called on him as well as his staff for various economic development issues on multiple occasions and he has been incredibly responsive,” she said. “Congressman Forbes has always been accessible when needed and willing to assist us on issues whenever asked. My hope would be that we quickly develop the same type of relationship with our future representative, whoever that may be.”

After having reviewed the available information, Windsor Town Manager Michael Stallings said, “It looks like all of District 4 will shift to District 3, which means with our relationship with Randy Forbes over the years will go away. It would definitely have an impact.

“We’ve never dealt with Mr. Scott, and we would build a new relationship with Mr. Scott. It’s not a positive or negative thing.”

Franklin City Manager Randy Martin stated that his main concern with the redistricting is the fact that Franklin and Isle of Wight County, would no longer be in the same district as Southampton County.

“There are so many affiliations between the three of us, Southampton County in particular. All of those things would be a challenge for us if we are going to be in separate districts. That would cause a lot of difficulties for us,” Martin said.

He also said that he was concerned the level of uncertainty this close to elections. He stated that it’s unnerving not knowing who the candidates are going to be and what district they are going to be in.