The proposed map carved LH into 3 districts
Following last night's commission meeting, Garcia amended cPlan16 to reflect the overwhelmingly outcry from current District 10 residents.
Community pride is something many claim to have, but when it comes to Lake Highlands, it’s hard to match.
As reported last week, the 2011 redistricting process, which began in February and went largely unnoticed until recent weeks, threatened to dismantle District 10 and negatively impact the Lake Highlands community for a long time to come.
The redistricting process is a long and complicated one, as numerous maps have been submitted for consideration over the past six months.
It was Domingo Garcia’s cPlan16 or "Unity Map," submitted in late July, that grew legs almost overnight with strong support from several commissioners.
Following a call to action issued by the Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association, the community's response moved front and center at City Hall over the past week.
Last night's meeting, the final meeting of the commissioners prior to the August 20th public forum and subsequent August 23rd council vote, brought significant change on Garcia's part.
Garcia's proposed amendments largely keep Lake Highlands District 10 intact.
While cPlan16 is just one of three maps still under consideration by the commission, it was the only one that threatened the continuity of Lake Highlands.
Following an interview with Garcia on August 3rd, and making note of his presentation and subsequent questioning of public speakers on August 4th and again on August 9th, few people believed he would relent in his attempt to carve up District 10.
"I know change is difficult. I know change isn’t always liked by a lot of people, but change is coming," Garcia said during the commission meeting on Tuesday, August 9th.
"The main political issue, and it has been for a long time, is many of the people in residential District 10 want to destroy as many apartments in the upper portion [of District 10] and get rid of as many black and brown people as they can."
While the newly modified cPlan16 map is not yet available for public viewing (city staff has yet to post it on the city website) District 10 Commissioner Donna Halstead says the changes are welcome but stopped short of saying the redistricting fight is over.
"I would characterize [Thursday's] situation as a glimmer of hope."
"We’ve narrowed it down to three maps, but one has significant problems. The change to cPlan16 is tolerable but is still not the best plan for the city."
President of the Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association, Scott Wynne, applauds the efforts of community residents but also wants to remind people to stay tuned in.
"It appears the loud voice of Lake Highlands residents has been heard at city hall," Wynne said.
"Where District 10 is concerned, there’s no doubt the amendments made to cPlan16 were in response to the work of Lake Highlands residents and LHAIA member groups, who made their feelings on this subject known to the commission in overwhelming numbers."
"There were over 800 letters and emails from District 10 urging the commission to keep us intact, more than the all the rest of the city combined, which is a fantastic testimony to how much Lake Highlanders love their community and will fight for it when it is under attack."
"However, it’s still too early to celebrate or think that our work is finished," Wynne continued.
"The LHAIA is still encouraging everyone to show up en masse to the public forum the Redistricting Commission is holding on Saturday, August 20th and make a strong showing of solidarity that Lake Highlands is and continues to be a vital part of the City of Dallas where diversity is recognized and embraced."
"We must remain vigilant and organized in this effort."
The public hearing is set for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 20th at City Hall in council chambers.
On August 23rd the commission's plan will be sent to the City Council for a final vote.
Residents interested in speaking at the public hearing must sign up to speak by calling 214.670.5735 or emailing your request to speak to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) by 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 19th.
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