Council Votes to Oppose Redistricting Bill

Therefore Be it Resolved that this City Council in the strongest terms vigorously opposes this last minute partisan attempt to impose new state rules on our county that removes local control, negates the actions of county voters, forces a new system of redistricting without our consent and places the ability of drawing new county commission lines in the very hands of the current sitting majority county commissioners which is unfair, unethical, and possibly illegal, and we call on the Michigan Senate and the Governor of the State of Michigan to oppose this bill.”

State House Passes Unusually Specific Redistricting Bill

The State House of Representatives passed HB 5187 today. If the bill progresses through the Senate and is signed by the Governor, it would cap the number of County Commissioners in any county to 21. It would also take away the authority of the current body to draw the new district lines. If passed, Oakland County would then have 30 days to jettison four elected officials and re-draw the District lines.

Senator Gregory Visits Ferndale Public Library

14th District State Senator Vincent Gregory, who is from Southfield but represents Ferndale and other neighboring communities, visited the Ferndale Public Library on Thursday, April 14, 2011 to meet with constituents to discuss the State budget and other concerns. Tomiko Gumbleton, Ferndale City Councilperson and current aide to State Representative Ellen Cogen Lipton, was also on hand to answer questions. A handful of interested residents turned out to meet with the Senator.