Fort Myers council to choose redistricting plan

By Ralph N. Paulk
rpaulk@news-press.com
Originally posted on November 28, 2005

Fort Myers City Council will decide today which of two redistricting plans is most likely to pass muster with a federal court judge and civil rights advocates.

The council will review two plans that have been drafted by a redistricting consulting firm. All five council members, along with Mayor Jim Humphrey, suggested that three of six wards have minority majorities — or at least a 53 percent African-American majority.

A sixth ward was created after voters passed a referendum earlier this year to change to a city manager form of government. The mayor becomes the seventh voting member of the council.

If the council approves either redistricting plan — 4A1 or 4B1 — a minority majority will exist in wards 1, 2 and 3.

Still, the final redistricting draft must be approved by U.S. District Judge John Steele. And it is likely to face scrutiny from lawyers of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

"What I'm interested in happening is that we go about this with as much fairness as possible," said Councilman Randy Henderson, Ward-4. "The ultimate challenge for us is to adopt a redistricting plan that will be viewed by the federal courts as equitable."

Henderson said it should be the council's goal to decide on a plan that can be sent to the federal courts with confidence. All four plans that were presented to council on Nov. 14 were rejected by council and the NAACP.

"Hopefully, we will get this done this time," said Councilman Levon Simms, Ward-3. "We are down to where we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"I don't see any major obstacles in front of us. We've narrowed it down to two maps, and what will be beneficial to the city of Fort Myers ."

Henderson and Simms believe either plan will suffice. The mayor agrees the council most act today, and not put off choosing a plan.

"After reviewing the plans, I'm hoping council will move forward and adopt either one of them," Humphrey said. "We need a third ward with a minority majority. I believe based on the population and representation, this is the fair way to proceed."

According to Humphrey, blacks make up 36 percent of Fort Myers ' population. Before the proposed redistricting plans, Wards 2 and 3 had the largest concentration of minorities.

Even though the council is being pressured to make a decision, Henderson is uncomfortable with expediting the process.

"It will be irresponsible to fast-track this," Henderson said. "This will be changing the history of the city."

The council will meet at 3 p.m. at City Hall.