Saturday, April 23, 2011
Dora Alice Price
This week's newspaper stated the above person was deceased. I received a phone call this afternoon telling me that Mrs. Price is the mother of Oscar Price, Jr. and she is living at Tunica Nursing Home. I verified this information myself. Yes, Dora Alice Price is alive and living at the Tunica Nursing Home.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Census numbers and the Ideal
Let's deal with whole numbers...rounded up or down so there is not a percentage point. This would make it easier on everyone.
According to the 2010 Census, Tunica County is reported to have:
Total Population: 10,778
Total Whites: 2553
Total Blacks: 7918
Total Other: 307
Tunica County has 5 Voting Districts. Divide the above numbers by 5 and you will get the following numbers for each district:
District Population: 2158
District Whites: 511
District Blacks: 1584
District Other: 61
The above numbers represent the Ideal or Starting Point. The variance is 10%. The Board of Supervisors' plan to redistrict Tunica County results in a 9.9% overall variance. We are saying this is not right and it is not good for our county. We are saying the variance within each district should be within the 10% variance with the result being with the 10% variance.
This is the Proposal from the Board of Supervisors (BOS) as of 15 Apr 2011:
Whites:
Proposal by BOS for Whites in District 1: 352
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government:
......To reach the Ideal of 511 Whites living in District 1:
.........*159 White residents need to be moved into District 1.
Proposal by BOS for Whites in District 2: 325
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 511 Whites living in District 2:
.........*186 White residents need to be moved into District 2
Proposal by BOS for Whites in District 3: 451
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 511 Whites living in District 3:
.........*60 White residents need to be moved into District 3.
Proposal by BOS for Whites in District 4: 718
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 511 Whites living in District 4:
.........*207 White residents need to be moved out of District 4.
Proposal by BOS for Whites in District 5: 707
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 511 Whites living in District 5:
.........*196 White residents need to be moved out of District 5.
Blacks:
Proposal by BOS for Blacks in District 1: 1856
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 1584 Blacks living in District 1:
.........*272 Black residents need to be moved out of District 1.
Proposal by BOS for Blacks in District 2: 1697
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 1584 Blacks living in District 2:
.........*113 Black residents need to be moved out of District 2.
Proposal by BOS for Blacks in District 3: 1547
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 1584 Blacks living in District 3:
.........*37 Black residents need to be moved into District 3.
Proposal by BOS for Blacks in District 4: 1500
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 1584 Blacks living in District 4:
.........*84 Black residents need to be moved into District 4.
Proposal by BOS for Blacks in District 5: 1318
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 1584 Blacks living in District 5:
.........*266 Black residents need to be moved into District 5.
Other:
Proposal by BOS for Others in District 1: 44
...Proposal for Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 61 Others living in District 1:
.........*17 Other residents need to be moved into District 1.
Proposal by BOS for Others in District 2: 44
...Proposal for Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 61 Others living in District 2:
.........*17 Other residents need to be moved into District 2.
Proposal by BOS for Others in District 3: 85
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 61 Others living in District 3:
.........*24 Other residents need to be moved out of District 3.
Proposal for Others in District 4: 86
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 61 Others living in District 4:
.........*25 Other residents need to be moved out of District 4.
Proposal for Others in District 5: 48
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 61 Others living in District 5:
.........*13 Other residents need to be moved into District 5.
This is the Ideal with no variance included. Again:
1. Throw out the old map.
2. Read the new numbers.
3. Draw a new map.
And then we can talk. The Public Hearing in 9 May 2011 at 6p in the Courtroom of the Tunica County Courthouse. If you have a better idea then this, bring it.
According to the 2010 Census, Tunica County is reported to have:
Total Population: 10,778
Total Whites: 2553
Total Blacks: 7918
Total Other: 307
Tunica County has 5 Voting Districts. Divide the above numbers by 5 and you will get the following numbers for each district:
District Population: 2158
District Whites: 511
District Blacks: 1584
District Other: 61
The above numbers represent the Ideal or Starting Point. The variance is 10%. The Board of Supervisors' plan to redistrict Tunica County results in a 9.9% overall variance. We are saying this is not right and it is not good for our county. We are saying the variance within each district should be within the 10% variance with the result being with the 10% variance.
This is the Proposal from the Board of Supervisors (BOS) as of 15 Apr 2011:
Whites:
Proposal by BOS for Whites in District 1: 352
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government:
......To reach the Ideal of 511 Whites living in District 1:
.........*159 White residents need to be moved into District 1.
Proposal by BOS for Whites in District 2: 325
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 511 Whites living in District 2:
.........*186 White residents need to be moved into District 2
Proposal by BOS for Whites in District 3: 451
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 511 Whites living in District 3:
.........*60 White residents need to be moved into District 3.
Proposal by BOS for Whites in District 4: 718
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 511 Whites living in District 4:
.........*207 White residents need to be moved out of District 4.
Proposal by BOS for Whites in District 5: 707
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 511 Whites living in District 5:
.........*196 White residents need to be moved out of District 5.
Blacks:
Proposal by BOS for Blacks in District 1: 1856
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 1584 Blacks living in District 1:
.........*272 Black residents need to be moved out of District 1.
Proposal by BOS for Blacks in District 2: 1697
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 1584 Blacks living in District 2:
.........*113 Black residents need to be moved out of District 2.
Proposal by BOS for Blacks in District 3: 1547
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 1584 Blacks living in District 3:
.........*37 Black residents need to be moved into District 3.
Proposal by BOS for Blacks in District 4: 1500
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 1584 Blacks living in District 4:
.........*84 Black residents need to be moved into District 4.
Proposal by BOS for Blacks in District 5: 1318
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 1584 Blacks living in District 5:
.........*266 Black residents need to be moved into District 5.
Other:
Proposal by BOS for Others in District 1: 44
...Proposal for Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 61 Others living in District 1:
.........*17 Other residents need to be moved into District 1.
Proposal by BOS for Others in District 2: 44
...Proposal for Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 61 Others living in District 2:
.........*17 Other residents need to be moved into District 2.
Proposal by BOS for Others in District 3: 85
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 61 Others living in District 3:
.........*24 Other residents need to be moved out of District 3.
Proposal for Others in District 4: 86
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 61 Others living in District 4:
.........*25 Other residents need to be moved out of District 4.
Proposal for Others in District 5: 48
...Proposal by Tunicans for Transparency in Government
......To reach the Ideal of 61 Others living in District 5:
.........*13 Other residents need to be moved into District 5.
This is the Ideal with no variance included. Again:
1. Throw out the old map.
2. Read the new numbers.
3. Draw a new map.
And then we can talk. The Public Hearing in 9 May 2011 at 6p in the Courtroom of the Tunica County Courthouse. If you have a better idea then this, bring it.
There is more on Redistricting
Attended the 15 Apr 2011 Tunica County Board of Supervisors' Meeting. There is more to report on this meeting but let's stick to Redistricting.
Today it became very apparent the current Supervisors are more interested in how Redistricting will effect them personally in their bids for reelection then they are concerned for the Tunicans they were elected to serve.
Let's start with this premise: "ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE." Redistricting is about the citizens of Tunica County and not those already elected to office or those currently running for office. Redistricting is about a process to do our very best to get to "ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE."
So, here's a process:
1. Throw out the old map.
2. Read the new numbers.
3. Draw a new map.
One, two, three...that's it.
Today it became very apparent the current Supervisors are more interested in how Redistricting will effect them personally in their bids for reelection then they are concerned for the Tunicans they were elected to serve.
Let's start with this premise: "ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE." Redistricting is about the citizens of Tunica County and not those already elected to office or those currently running for office. Redistricting is about a process to do our very best to get to "ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE."
So, here's a process:
1. Throw out the old map.
2. Read the new numbers.
3. Draw a new map.
One, two, three...that's it.
Friday, April 8, 2011
More on Redistricting
I've been looking at the 2010 Census figures for Tunica County and I think what might be causing all of the upset is the process. What appears to be happening is those incharge appear to be working from the current districts and trying to make the numbers fit. What I think needs to be done is to work from the numbers and then redraw the map.
Firstly, it needs to be stated: This is about the citizens and not those already elected to office and those running for office. The underlying premise is "one person, one vote".
Here are numbers as I understand them:
1. Total Population of Tunica County: 10,778.
2, Divide the total population by the 5 Tunica County Districts: 2156 (rounded up)
3. Tunica County population is:
23.7% White
73.5% Black
2.8% Other
4. Within each of the 5 Tunica County Districts we would start by coming as close as possible to the following numbers:
511 White (rounded)
1584 Black (rounded)
61 Other (rounded)
So, throw out the maps; forget who is in office or who is running for office and serve the people. Start with the numbers and then redraw the 5 Tunica County Districts.
Firstly, it needs to be stated: This is about the citizens and not those already elected to office and those running for office. The underlying premise is "one person, one vote".
Here are numbers as I understand them:
1. Total Population of Tunica County: 10,778.
2, Divide the total population by the 5 Tunica County Districts: 2156 (rounded up)
3. Tunica County population is:
23.7% White
73.5% Black
2.8% Other
4. Within each of the 5 Tunica County Districts we would start by coming as close as possible to the following numbers:
511 White (rounded)
1584 Black (rounded)
61 Other (rounded)
So, throw out the maps; forget who is in office or who is running for office and serve the people. Start with the numbers and then redraw the 5 Tunica County Districts.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Vacancy by removal or default
I for one am refusing to drink the Kool Aide that has been served year after year by our elected officials and their friends.
"Section 25-1-59 Vacancy by removal or default.
If any state, district, county, county district, or municipal officer during the term of his office shall remove out of the state, district, county or municipality for which he was elected or appointed, such office shall thereby become vacant and the vacancy be supplied as by law directed."
In August 2009, this Committee asked the Board of Supervisors (Beat 1, Beat 3, Beat 4 and Beat 5) to vote to remove the Beat 2 Supervisor from his seat and to hold a Special Election for his replacement. There was no response from any of the Supervisors.
Refresh your memory: Reread our letter the the Tunica County Democratic Election Committee.
"Section 25-1-59 Vacancy by removal or default.
If any state, district, county, county district, or municipal officer during the term of his office shall remove out of the state, district, county or municipality for which he was elected or appointed, such office shall thereby become vacant and the vacancy be supplied as by law directed."
In August 2009, this Committee asked the Board of Supervisors (Beat 1, Beat 3, Beat 4 and Beat 5) to vote to remove the Beat 2 Supervisor from his seat and to hold a Special Election for his replacement. There was no response from any of the Supervisors.
Refresh your memory: Reread our letter the the Tunica County Democratic Election Committee.
More information on the word "reside"
This information is taken from the Mississippi Code of 1972 as amended in 1997. It has to do with being elegibile to vote in the State of Mississippi.
"Section: 23-15-11 Elegibility
Every inhabitant of this state, except idiots and insane persons, who is a citizen of the United States of America, eighteen (18) years old and upwards, who has resided in this state for thirty (30)days and for thirty (30) days in the county in which he offers to vote, and for thirty (30) days in the supervisor's district or in the incorporated city or town in which he offers to vote and who shall have been duly registered as an elector by an officer of this state under the laws thereof, and who has never been convicted of any crime listed in Section 241, Mississippi Constitution of 1890 shall be a qualified elector in and for the county, municipality and voting precinct of his residence, and shall be entitled to vote at an election. (1997 amendment: 'Any person who will be eighteen (18) years of age or older on or before the date of the general election and who is duly registered to vote not less then thirty (30) days prior to the primary election associated with such general elcetion, may vote in such primary election even though such person has not reached his or her eighteenth birthday at the time such person offers to vote at such primary election.' No others than those above included shall be entitled, or shall be allowed, to vote at any election."
"Reside". There is that word again.
"Section: 23-15-11 Elegibility
Every inhabitant of this state, except idiots and insane persons, who is a citizen of the United States of America, eighteen (18) years old and upwards, who has resided in this state for thirty (30)days and for thirty (30) days in the county in which he offers to vote, and for thirty (30) days in the supervisor's district or in the incorporated city or town in which he offers to vote and who shall have been duly registered as an elector by an officer of this state under the laws thereof, and who has never been convicted of any crime listed in Section 241, Mississippi Constitution of 1890 shall be a qualified elector in and for the county, municipality and voting precinct of his residence, and shall be entitled to vote at an election. (1997 amendment: 'Any person who will be eighteen (18) years of age or older on or before the date of the general election and who is duly registered to vote not less then thirty (30) days prior to the primary election associated with such general elcetion, may vote in such primary election even though such person has not reached his or her eighteenth birthday at the time such person offers to vote at such primary election.' No others than those above included shall be entitled, or shall be allowed, to vote at any election."
"Reside". There is that word again.
Redistricting
This is my understanding at the moment concerning redistricting.
The 2011 Census says we are 73.5% African American and that leaves 26.5% for everyone else.
The next part of what I understand is when we redistrict we need to be working toward these figures in each district.
We may vary the above percentages by 10%. This would mean 5% on either side of 73.5% and 26.5%. The actual variances would be from 78.5% and 68.5% and 31.5% and 21.5% respectively.
I hope the Board of Supervisors and Bridges and Watson are working towards these figures.
The 2011 Census says we are 73.5% African American and that leaves 26.5% for everyone else.
The next part of what I understand is when we redistrict we need to be working toward these figures in each district.
We may vary the above percentages by 10%. This would mean 5% on either side of 73.5% and 26.5%. The actual variances would be from 78.5% and 68.5% and 31.5% and 21.5% respectively.
I hope the Board of Supervisors and Bridges and Watson are working towards these figures.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sounds like we missed the party....
This morning was the first Board of Supervisors' Meeting for April 2011 and we had to miss it. Darn!!! Phone calls are saying the lively discussion was about redistricting. Can't wait to find out what happened.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The definition of reside
Reside is a verb.
The definition of reside is "to live in a place permanently or for an extended period."
It does not mean "I was raised here." It does not mean "I have a business here." It does not mean "I am using this address to run for public office, to vote, to allow my children to attend school here, to buy a cheaper license plate" or anything else.
Reside means if you knock on my door and I am at home, I will answer my door.
Reside means I live here.
The definition of reside is "to live in a place permanently or for an extended period."
It does not mean "I was raised here." It does not mean "I have a business here." It does not mean "I am using this address to run for public office, to vote, to allow my children to attend school here, to buy a cheaper license plate" or anything else.
Reside means if you knock on my door and I am at home, I will answer my door.
Reside means I live here.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Redistricting
Is there anyone out there who has been more critical of this particular Board of Supervisors then I have been? However, on the subject of redistricting the Board and the people the Board has hired seem to be doing a bang up job. The Board agreed to hold the related public hearings in the evening so that more people may attend. So, on its face, everything seems to be above board. Should that change, I would be the first to talk about it.
So, here’s the deal. Last week’s paper quoted a local resident with stating: “White bloc voting in Tunica County, Mississippi is statically significant.” This is impossible. Using round numbers the U. S. Census Bureau has reported Tunica County to be 73% African American and that leaves 27% for the rest of us.
Remember in our first Public Hearing we were told that our final redistricting can’t disenfranchise anyone? In America we go by "one person, one vote." At that hearing, this same person was suggesting that the Town of Tunica be moved to one beat. An explanation was offered as to why this could not be done. It was done this way so that the White population would have a voice in their government too. To do otherwise would disenfranchise the White vote.
I guess what really ticks me off about the above quoted statement is that our Transparency Committee has been very vocal about presenting to the Board of Supervisors incidents where we think Tunica County could do better by appointing an African American resident to this or that Board. Believe me, this hasn't been easy or well received.
Needless to say, I hope Tunica County does not wind-up paying “court costs and attorneys’ fees” on this particular suit.
So, here’s the deal. Last week’s paper quoted a local resident with stating: “White bloc voting in Tunica County, Mississippi is statically significant.” This is impossible. Using round numbers the U. S. Census Bureau has reported Tunica County to be 73% African American and that leaves 27% for the rest of us.
Remember in our first Public Hearing we were told that our final redistricting can’t disenfranchise anyone? In America we go by "one person, one vote." At that hearing, this same person was suggesting that the Town of Tunica be moved to one beat. An explanation was offered as to why this could not be done. It was done this way so that the White population would have a voice in their government too. To do otherwise would disenfranchise the White vote.
I guess what really ticks me off about the above quoted statement is that our Transparency Committee has been very vocal about presenting to the Board of Supervisors incidents where we think Tunica County could do better by appointing an African American resident to this or that Board. Believe me, this hasn't been easy or well received.
Needless to say, I hope Tunica County does not wind-up paying “court costs and attorneys’ fees” on this particular suit.
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