Op-Ed "End Gerrymandering" (Patricia Dolan – May 12) also applies to the New York City Council. The NYC Council Redistricting Commission is composed of fifteen members.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg appoints seven, City Council Democratic Speaker Christine Quinn appoints five and Republican Minority Council leader James Oddo appoints three.
In theory, Bloomberg and the Republicans control 10 of 15 votes, affording them the opportunity to develop new district lines.
This could have the potential to open up a number of seats for fair contests resulting in the election of more GOP or independent representatives, as opposed to Democratic clubhouse-sponsored members.
In the previous reapportionment, Bloomberg and Oddo failed to convince their appointees, who had the majority control of the process, to end the Democratic clubhouse monopoly of the City Council. This may be the last opportunity for an independent honest reapportionment.
Larry Penner
Great Neck
