Dems attack redistricting plan in Nassau

A Republican proposal for the early redrawing of Nassau's 19 legislative districts drew sharp rebukes from Democrats who packed a hearing Monday in Mineola.

"Our beloved Elmont is now sliced up like pizza, limiting its potential as a unified voting community," said Joyce Stowe of the Tudor Manor Civic Association, which covers the area bounded by Greenway Boulevard, Dutch Broadway and Elmont Road. Under the GOP proposal, that area would become part of a new "minority" district along the Queens border.

"As it [the proposal] stands right now, our collective voting strength is degraded," said Stowe. It is "touted as a minority district, but based on a statistical analysis . . . it is not so. And we will not be fooled by this outrage."

But legislative presiding officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) told the overflow crowd in the legislative chamber that the proposal recognizes "the growth of minority populations on the western portion of Nassau County."

Schmitt also said the county charter mandates that the redistricting occur "within six months of the [census] enumeration of the inhabitants of Nassau County." Schmitt surprised Democrats in April by saying his counsel had interpreted the county charter as requiring redistricting to take place this year as a way to incorporate new census results -- a year earlier than expected.

"This body does not have the discretion to ignore [charter] provisions," Schmitt said.

Democrats vow to challenge the redistricting in court if it passes as written. The GOP-majority legislature is expected to vote on the Republican proposal Monday.

If the redistricting is approved Monday, then, Schmitt said, lawmakers will set up a bipartisan commission to study and recommend the plan, and give final approval to it within the next two years.

If approved, the Republican plan would be in effect before the November elections for county legislature, and before party nominating conventions this month.

Hempstead Mayor Wayne Hall said that under the proposed redistricting, the village would be split between three legislative districts; the village currently falls into two districts.

"This is a dilution of the minority vote," Hall told the hearing. "I'll see you in court."

At about 3:30 p.m., a shouting match erupted when Regis Lawrence Thompson of Hempstead told Schmitt he had taken his sheet off, insinuating he is a Ku Klux Klanner.

Schmitt took umbrage and began to reply, "If you're the best the New [Hempstead] Democratic Club has to offer . . ." At that point, Dennis Jones and Ramel Smith, both club members, joined Thompson at the podium, shouting that they supported her.

Three Nassau County police officers on duty in the building soon arrived at the podium and escorted Thompson, Jones and Smith and their supporters into the hallway. Shortly afterward, they returned to the chambers.