Agendas clash at 
Districting Commissioner hearings

by Sue Forde

Sequim, WA - 5/10/01 - The Clallam County Districting Commission held public hearings for the second day (the first hearing was held in Forks) at the library of the Sequim Boys and Girls Club.  Approximately 36 citizens were present to learn about the various options for the redrawing of district lines in Clallam County - a requirement every 10 years by the Clallam County Home Rules Charter, to coincide with the census.

The Commission is comprised of six members: 2 Democrats, 2 Republicans, and 1 Libertarian, representing the three major parties.

The Charter states that the District boundaries shall be "geographically compact and contiguous, without boundaries between districts running generally north and south, and be approximately equally in population so that the population according to the latest federal decennial census of the largest district shall not exceed that of the smallest by more than five (5) percent.  Subject to the foregoing requirements, each district shall to the maximum extent possible be composed of whole voting precincts.  Each district shall be assigned a number 1 to 3."

Commissioner Dave Cummings presided over the hearings process, explaining that the districting master would explain the various options, then there would be time for questions and answers, followed by the hearing itself, where citizens could voice their opinions for the record.

Jeff Well was hired by the commission to perform the duty of "districting master", whose job it was to review the census figures and create a number of options best suited to comply with the Charter.  Well explained the four options, three of which he had developed, with the fourth crafted by Mary Bedinger, appointed to the commission by Commissioner Steve Tharinger. She had presented the fourth option after the first meeting was held in Forks on May 9th.

A question and answer period ensued, during which one citizen asked Well what his preference was.  He responded that he preferred Option 1, as he believed it best met all the criteria required by the Charter.

The process was then opened for public hearing, where the public could offer input as to their preferences and reasoning for the benefit of the commission in their decision making.  Marianne Grant spoke in favor of Options 2,3 or 4.  John Pollock said he favored Option 2 because it provides "political stability."

Kip McKeever spoke in favor of Option 1 saying it "straightens out the lines of the districts".  Mary Bedinger questioned him, wondering if he "understood" the different options, and pushed the other options.  It almost appeared at that point to be a debate rather than a hearing.

Bob Lynette of Jamestown Beach spoke in favor of Option 2 or 3.  

Ginger Alexander spoke for option 1, and commended Well on the hard work he had done.

Ms. McRobbie stated that she "didn't mind if there are a few jig jags to the line" and said she preferred option 2. Stuart McRobbie stated that was "political motivation behind option 1."  

Lois Perry said she favored option 1.

Norma Johnson said that option 1 "avoids jerrymandering, which is politically motivated."

Bill Ellis of Happy Valley said he was originally from King County, and he felt option 2 was better, and said option 1 was "politically motivated."  

Steve Marble responded in favor of option 1, saying that if there was any political motivation, it was from those in favor of option 2.

Don Alexander spoke in favor of option 1, and said that option 2 makes the biggest variation in the lines.  Others spoke in favor of either option 1 or 2.  No one really addressed the other options.  The lines seemed to be drawn between option 1 and option 2.

Districting Master Well stated that the "lines had been drawn based on the census data", and that he didn't even know where county commissioners lived when he drew them.

Richard Deitz said that option 1 gives the "greatest growth factor over the next 10 years."  District 1, composed mostly of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley, is the fastest growing, according to census figures.  John Pollock responded that to "base boundaries on what 'might' happen in the future" is no way to do it.

Should the first option be chosen by the commission, the district lines would be moved in such a manner that Commissioner Mike Doherty would no longer be in district 3, but would be moved into district 2, where Mike Chapman now serves as county commissioner. 

In a show of hands at the end of the hearing, 11 people favored option 2, which 13 favor option 1.  No one raised their hands for options 3 or 4.

There will be another hearing in Port Angeles on Friday, May 11 at 7 p.m. in the Clallam County Commissioner's meeting room, and possibly another meeting in Forks due to the addition by Bedinger of the fourth option.