Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 6, 1992 TAG: 9202060502
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
NOT NECESSARY TO SPLIT AREAS IN REDISTRICTING
WITH GREAT dismay I learned of the unnecessary splitting of localities in the recent redistricting plan passed by the Virginia General Assembly. In that proposal, Roanoke County, population 79,332, and Bedford County, population 45,656, were split between the 6th and 9th congressional districts as a result of Attorney General Mary Sue Terry's intervention.It seems that Ms. Terry did not want her home, Patrick County, population 17,473, to be divided between two districts, the 5th and 9th. However, there was no need for any of these counties to be split. A plan that maintained the population of the 5th, 6th and 9th districts within the ideal district population of 562,487, without splitting localities and communities of interest, could and should have been implemented.
For example, by shifting Patrick County into the 9th District and removing western Roanoke County and Craig County, the population of the 9th District is maintained well within the required limits. To make room for Roanoke and Craig counties in the 6th District, all of Bedford County could remain intact within the 5th District.
Unfortunately, Ms. Terry and our local Democratic delegates were more interested in playing political games than in protecting communities of interest.
Two years from now, when Ms. Terry comes to the Roanoke Valley and Bedford County seeking support for her gubernatorial bid, the voters should remember that it was due to her selfish whims and unwillingness to compromise that these areas are split between two congressional districts. It only seems fair that we reward Ms. Terry for her selfish and inconsiderate behavior as she has rewarded us! JOHN W. WILCHER NEW CASTLE