{"id":42693,"date":"2021-11-30T11:13:09","date_gmt":"2021-11-30T19:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=42693"},"modified":"2021-11-30T11:13:09","modified_gmt":"2021-11-30T19:13:09","slug":"local-grassroots-organization-to-hold-event-to-help-bring-awareness-to-auburn-redistricting-process-proposed-maps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=42693","title":{"rendered":"Local grassroots organization to hold event to help bring awareness to Auburn redistricting process, proposed maps"},"content":{"rendered":"

Local community organization, Hometown Organizing Project,<\/a> is on the ground working to help Auburn residents better understand the new ward maps that have been proposed, how they can get involved in the local redistricting process and give public comments on those maps.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Redistricting is a once-in-a-decade process of accounting for state-level population changes in Alabama to draw new district maps from the federal level to the local level which makes an impact on how funding is distributed for many community resources throughout neighborhoods.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The local lines drawn by the Auburn City Council during this cycle will impact and shape Auburn residents\u2019 lives for the next decade.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The council is responsible for tasks such as passing the budgets, regulating business licenses, responding to community complaints, passing ordinances and regulations dealing with everything from property abatements and leash laws to fireworks prohibitions to speed bumps.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The 2020 Census Data showed significant growth for Auburn and the maps must be drawn to reflect those changes to help ensure that the principle of \u201cOne Person, One Vote\u201d is met.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“Auburn’s population grew by 43% over the past 10 years with non-white residents now making up nearly a third of the population. Our local city council should reflect that diversity and making sure communities are heard during this local redistricting process is the first step,\u201d Felicia Scalzetti, redistricting organizer for Hometown Organizing Project, said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Public engagement in the local redistricting process is vital to ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table for the next 10 years.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To help Auburn residents get a better understanding of the process, Hometown Organizing Project<\/a> will hold a virtual community redistricting meeting on December 1, at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe purpose of the event is to generate public interest and public comment on the city’s redistricting plan,\u201d Warren Tidwell, lead organizer for Hometown Organizing Project, said. \u201cThe residents of Auburn are the ones who know their community. It’s important for folks to understand their help and insight is needed to inform this process. When people aren’t engaged civically, too often the decisions that are made by the powers that be don’t reflect the needs and experiences of the broader community. It’s not always easy for people to know how to get involved so we hope to be a conduit for folks who want to take an active role in their community.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

During the meeting, organizers will discuss the following:<\/p>\n