Council of Neighborhood Associations tells Board: Alternative 1-A is the least bad of a bad lot

After reviewing the analysis that follows by CCNA, the Sarasota City Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, of the proposed maps by which redistricting of the county would be established during the special meeting of November 15, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. under agenda item 1, 

For the Board to approve one of the three motions below:

1. Adopt a resolution approving Goodrich 1 Map as the new Sarasota County District Boundaries map; or
2. Adopt a resolution approving Goodrich 2 Map as the new Sarasota County District Boundaries map; or
3. Adopt a resolution approving Alternative Map 1-A as the new Sarasota County District Boundaries map

if the commission is unwilling to have less discriminatory maps drafted — which still is feasible and is our preference rather than choosing from among the options listed — then, Alternative Map 1-A is the least objectionable choice as the new Sarasota County District Boundaries map. 

Therefore, if additional options are not drafted,
CONA supports only the adoption of Alternative Map 1-A. 

Please enter this message in its entirety, including its referenced charts and table, into the official record of the meeting as our public input and consider our suggestion for having less objectionable maps drawn before making a decision regarding the selection of a new map.

Sincerely, 

Kafi Benz

president, Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations, Inc. — CONA

CCNA analysis of proposed maps:

Exhibit 2: The map on the right illustrates the disenfranchisement of 20% of the city's black population under the "Goodrich 2" proposal. Click here or the image for a larger view. Exhibit 3: The map on the right illustrates the disenfranchisement of 57,000 county residents under the "Goodrich 2" proposal. Click here or the image for a larger view. See the table below for a list of all impacted neighborhoods under the "Goodrich 2" map. Exhibit 4: Even the "Goodrich 1" proposal compromises the ability of 20,000 county residents ability to vote for their commissioner. Click here or the image for a larger view. Exhibit 5: Of the three proposals under consideration "Alternative 1-A" impacts the fewest residents at 1,437.  Click here or the image for a larger view. "Alternative 1-A" disenfranchises the fewest number of voters. Each of the "Goodrich 2" and "Goodrich 1" proposals respectively disenfranchises 57,000 and 20,000 residents. Table: City neighborhoods that will be disenfranchised - again - with the "Goodrich 2" map Alta Vista Neighborhood Association, Inc. Arlington Park Neighborhood Association Avondale Residents Association, Inc. Bay Point Park Neighborhood Association, Inc. Bayou Oaks Neighborhood Association Bird Key Improvement Association, Inc. Broadway Promenade Condominium Association, Inc. Central Cocoanut Neighborhood Association, Inc. Cherokee Park Homeowners Association, Inc. Downtown Sarasota Condo Association Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association, Inc. Golden Gate Point Association, Inc. Granada Neighborhood Association, Inc. Harbor Acres Community Association, Incorporated Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association, Inc. Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores Neighborhood Association, Inc. John Ringling Blvd. Association Laurel Park, Inc. Lido Key Residents Association, Inc. Lido Shores Property Owners Association, Inc. McClellan Park Homeowners Association, Inc. Park East Community Association (partial) Rosemary District Association San Remo Estates Association, Inc. Sarasota Housing Authority Residents Council (partial) Shoreland Woods Neighborhood Association South Poinsettia Park Neighborhood Association, Inc. St. Armands Residents Association Tahiti Park Neighborhood Association, Inc.