Redistricting Public Forums Continue In Rockland

From the Rockland County Legislature

The Rockland County Legislature’s Special Committee for Redistricting continues its series of public forums to outline the redistricting process and timeline, and to allow for public comment and community participation.

The next forum will take place in the town of Stony Point. It is the third of five forums, with the first two held in Orangetown and Haverstraw. Two more are scheduled for June 29 in Clarkstown and June 30 in Ramapo.

“We invite everyone to participate and to contribute to this process,” Rockland County Legislator Michael Grant said. “You can attend any forum, not just the one in your town. We want to know what residents think is important as we move forward with this effort.”

Legislator Grant and Legislator Alden Wolfe are co-chairmen of the Special Committee for Redistricting. The other members are Legislators Harriet D. Cornell, Toney L. Earl, Lon M. Hofstein, Douglas J. Jobson, John W. McGowan, Aney Paul, Philip Soskin, Vincent D. Tyer, and Itamar J. Yeger.

Rockland’s 17 county legislative districts will be redrawn to equalize the population in the districts using data from the 2020 census. Redistricting occurs every 10 years following the results of the U.S. Census to reflect changes in population.

Many aspects can be considered when drawing district boundaries, including keeping communities of interest together, something that can be based on similar social, cultural, ethnic, economic, religious or political interests and priorities.

“Now is the time for the public to comment on what they believe the priorities should be as the new district maps are drawn,” Legislator Wolfe said. “Comment can be done in person at one of the forums or through a written statement.”

In addition to the public forums, information about this evolving effort will be provided on a dedicated web page (http://rocklandgov.com/elected-officials/county-legislature/) via news releases, and on the Rockland County Legislature’s social media platforms.

The committee heads to Stony Point on Tuesday, June 21 for the next public forum. It starts at 6 p.m. in the Rho Building, 5 Club House Lane.

Here is the schedule for the additional two forums:

• Town of Clarkstown: 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 29 at Clarkstown Town Hall, 10 Maple Ave., New City.

• Town of Ramapo: 6 p.m. Thursday, June 30 at Ramapo Town Hall, 237 Route 59, Airmont.

The public may submit comments regarding redistricting to the Clerk to the Legislature at legclerk@co.rockland.ny.us