Shane Smith: Four things to keep in mind for Merced districts

As a member of the city of Merced committee tasked with gathering public input on new electoral district maps, I heard four clear messages from the community that I hope the city council will consider when they select the final map.

First, residents south of Highway 99 deserve a strong collective voice in city government. That means grouping south Merced neighborhoods so that representatives can focus attention on improving safety and economic opportunity in an area that has too often felt left behind.

Second, traditional downtown and Bear Creek-adjacent areas should be kept together to the fullest extent possible while respecting the Santa Fe tracks as a dividing line.

Third, major transportation routes and geographic barriers do a fair job of keeping communities together. But beware splitting neighborhoods that span El Portal Drive to the east or Rambler Road to the west.

Fourth, passage of Measure T by a majority of all city voters gives the districting process its legitimacy, not a desire to avoid litigation costs or the goals of out-of-town interest groups. The maps that best reflect these values are Belluomini 2 to the north and NDC C to the south.

This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 12:14 PM with the headline "Shane Smith: Four things to keep in mind for Merced districts."