Committee passes Nassau redistricting plan

A Nassau legislative committee Monday night passed a Republican-sponsored redistricting plan that has sparked an outpouring of opposition from Democrats.

The new district lines were approved in the GOP-controlled Rules Committee by a 4-3 vote. A public hearing on the redistricting is set for May 9 and a vote by the full legislature, dominated 11-8 by the Republicans, is expected on May 16.

Dennis Jones, a retired New York City police officer and second vice president of the New Hempstead Democratic Club, said the plan "will have a negative effect on minority community, especially in Hempstead."

Hempstead, with the largest minority population of any community in Nassau, would be cut into three districts; there are now two.

Legis. John Ciotti (R-North Valley Stream) disagreed. He said the redistricting would actually give minorities a chance "at one more seat at the table."

Stephen Anchin of North Woodmere said he opposed the redistricting proposal because it breaks up the Five Towns communities.

"The Five Towns is not a miscellaneous assortment of unrelated hamlets and villages," he said.

Democrats, who are expected to launch a court challenge, contend that the new map is a Republican power grab.

But County Attorney John Ciampoli said the new lines eliminate improper population deviations between districts and respect town boundaries.