►
From YouTube: Redistricting Meeting on October 11, 2022
Description
Public testimony regarding redistricting from residents.
A
A
A
Good
afternoon,
everyone
welcome
to
the
ionella
chamber
thanks
to
all
the
guests
from
the
community
who
are
here
to
make
public
testimony.
My
name
is
Liz
Braden
District,
9,
City
councilor
I
am
the
chair
of
the
Boston
city
council
committee
on
redistricting
I
am
joined
by
my
colleagues,
counselor
Murphy
councilor
Flynn
councilor,
Mejia,
councilor,
Baker,
Council
luigien.
Oh
I
should
give
you
all
your
full
titles.
Councilor
Murphy
concert
at
large
counselor
Flynn
District
2
councilor
Mejia
concert
at
large
councilor
Baker
District
3
councilor
Louisiana
at
large
Consular
Worrell,
District,
4
country
Flaherty
at
Large.
A
A
Written
comments
may
be
sent
to
the
committee
email
at
CCC,
dot
redistricting
at
boston.gov
and
will
be
made
part
of
the
record
and
available
to
all
counselors.
The
purpose
of
this
meeting
is
to
hear
public
testimony
from
residents
regarding
redistricting.
If
you
wish
to
sign
up
for
public
testimony
here
in
the
chamber,
please
sign
in
on
the
sheet
near
the
door.
If
you
are
looking
to
testify
virtually
please
email,
Sean
pack
at
Shane,
Shane
dot
pack
at
boston.gov
for
the
link
and
your
name
will
be
added
to
the
list.
A
A
The
input
of
residents
in
this
process
is
of
the
utmost
importance,
as
is
the
testimony
of
community
groups
concerned
with
promoting
the
intent
of
the
Voting
Rights
Act,
to
ensure
that
communities
of
color
are
empowered
by
our
district
lines
to
elect
candidates
of
their
choice.
I
have
been
listening
carefully
to
feedback
from
constituents
in
District,
8
and
the
rest
of
the
city
about
their
redistrating
priorities.
I
regret
that
a
long-scheduled
absence
from
the
city
this
evening
prevents
me
from
attending
this
session.
A
At
the
request
of
the
committee
this
afternoon
we
received
a
memorandum
outlining
the
basic
principles
of
redis
redistricting
criteria
prepared
by
attorney
Jeffrey
weissner
Adjunct,
professor
and
Senior
fellow
at
the
New
York
law
school
and
a
specialist
and
legislative
redistricting
attorney.
Weiss
has
been
retained
by
is
being
retained
by
The
Corporation
Council
as
outside
Council
for
redistricting,
and
will
provide
a
10
to
15
minute
presentation
this
evening
outlining
the
content
of
the
memo.
I
will
read
the
letter
from
Council
corporate
cooperation
Council
attached
to
the
memo
and,
let's
see
where
we
are.
A
A
Dear
chair
Braden,
and
vice
vice
chair
Worrell
attached
here
too,
please
find
a
short
memo
setting
forth
basic
principles
of
the
criteria
that
the
city
council
should
or
may
consider
when
redrawing
city
council
districts.
I
am
sharing
this
with
the
committee
on
redistricting,
based
on
a
request
of
the
chat,
the
chair
to
have
a
short
list
of
guideposts
that
the
committee
must
be
cognizant
of,
as
it
goes,
does
its
work.
This
memo
was
prepared
by
Jeffrey
Weiss
adjunct
professor
and
Senior
fellow
at
the
New
York
School
of
Law
and
a
specialist
and
legislative
redistricting.
A
He
is
a
co-author
co-editor
of
the
National
Conference
of
State
legislatures
2020,
redistricting
handbook,
Mr
Weiss
is
identified
as
a
resource
in
consultation
with
the
chair's
office
and
my
office
contact
contracted
with
Mr
Weiss
to
utilize
his
expertise
in
this
field.
In
addition
to
this
memorandum,
my
office
will
utilize
Mr,
Weiss's
expertise
to
help
respond
to
additional
inquiries
from
the
committee
or
the
council.
A
Any
questions
from
counselors
will
be
for
on
for
a
for
attorney
wise
will
be
collected
through
the
chair
and
submitted
through
cooperation
Council.
Another
set
of
questions
has
been
submitted
by
the
committee
chair
and
a
response
is
being
prepared
at
this
time.
I
would
we're
going
to
be
joined
by
attorney
Weiss
welcome,
attorney,
Weiss.
B
Sure,
let
me
how
is
this.
That
sounds
good.
Can
you
okay
great?
Well,
it's
a
pleasure
to
be
with
you
this
afternoon.
I'll
take
a
few
minutes
to
walk
through
the
criteria
that
will
guide
you
in
the
line,
drawing
process
to
redraw
the
council,
districts,
you're,
guided
essentially
by
federal
law
and
the
city
Charter.
B
The
Boston
City
Charter
in
section
18
has
some
very
specific
language
on
what
you're
required
to
consider
and
I'll.
Just
read
very
briefly
from
section
18
requires
that
District
shall
be
as
con
shall
be
Compact
and
shall
contain,
as
nearly
as
may
be
an
equal
number
of
inhabitants
that
is
determined
by
the
most
recent
State
decennial
census
shall
be
composed
of
contiguous
existing
precincts
and
shall
be
drawn
with
the
view
toward
preserving
the
Integrity
of
existing
neighborhoods.
B
Now,
first
off
Massachusetts
no
longer
uses
a
state
census,
so
you're
required
to
use
the
federal
decennial
census
data
that
was
reported
last
December
and
to
spell
out
the
criteria
in
the
in
the
city
Charter.
The
first
is
population
equality
and
that
derives
from
U.S
Supreme
Court
precedence
that
sets
a
10
basic
limit
from
the
size
of
the
largest
District
to
the
size
of
the
smallest
district
is
called
population
deviation
and
in
Boston
based
on
the
2020
census.
B
The
second
consideration
falls
under
both
the
14th
Amendment
to
the
US
Constitution
and
the
Federal
Voting
Rights
Act,
the
Voting
Rights
Act
must
respect
minority
voters
When
developing
a
new
plan.
The
Voting
Rights
Act
prohibits
any
kind
of
voting
qualification
or
practice
or
procedure
that
results
in
a
denial
or
abridgement
of
any
minority
citizens
to
any
citizens
right
to
vote
on
accounts
of
race,
color
or
status.
B
As
a
member
of
a
language
minority
group
and
in
essence
the
ACT
covers
blacks,
Hispanics,
Asians,
Native,
American,
Indians
and
Pacific
Islanders,
so
those
are
the
the
different
racial
ethnic
groups
that
the
Voting
Rights
Act
covers
in
the
Voting
Rights
Act.
We
have
a
section
two
part
that
specifically
prohibits
vote
delusion
when
votes
are
dispersed
or
so-called
cracked
among
districts,
making
them
ineffective
voting
blocks
if
they
overly
disperse
residents
in
a
way
that
doesn't
enable
them
to
elect
their
preferred
candidate.
B
On
the
opposite
side,
you
can
have
overly
concentrated
districts
or
pack
districts
which
create
excessive
majorities
of
minority
voters
within
a
district,
preventing
them
from
electing
candidates
in
neighboring
districts.
So
you
want
to
avoid
packing
too
many
people
in
the
district
or
cracking
too
few
people
in
the
district.
The
Voting
Rights
Act
requires
the
creation
of
what
I'll
call
effective
minority
districts
where
you
can
show
that
the
minority
group
group
comprises
at
least
50
percent
plus
of
of
a
District's
population.
B
Second,
you've
got
to
demonstrate
that
the
minority
voters
vote
cohesively
or
for
the
same
kinds
of
candidates
and
third
and
most
importantly,
you
have
to
be
able
to
demonstrate
that
if
there
is
a
significantly
high
level
of
racially
polarized
voting
and
where
the
the
white
voters
vote
as
a
block
to
prevent
minority
voters
from
electing
their
preferred
candidates,
then
the
Voting
Rights
Act
steps
in
and
requires
you
to
create
an
effective
minority,
District,
so
50
plus
minority
voting
age
population
and
a
very
high
level
of
racially
polarized
voting.
Now,
that's
the
statutory
Voting
Rights
Act.
B
We
use
highly
specific
racial
voting
analysis
to
demonstrate
whether
or
not
the
minority
vote
is
diluted,
whether
you
have
blocked
voting
and
also
whether
race
is
being
used
excessively,
where
it
could
run
into
a
violation
of
the
14th
Amendment
to
avoid
what
was
called
racial
gerrymandering.
It's
very
important
to
remember
that
districts
must
be
evaluated
based
on
local
voting
patterns
and
population
data,
on
a
district
by
District
basis.
B
So
we
have
the
the
two
Federal
requirements
of
one
person,
one
vote
and
respecting
minority
voting
rights
to
avoid
minority
vote.
Dilution
in
areas
of
very
high,
racially
polarized
voting,
as
required
by
the
Voting
Rights
Act,
and
also
to
avoid
excessive
use
of
race
or,
as
they
call
it
race
being
used
as
the
predominant
factor
for
race
and
no
other
reason,
but
race
alone,
where
you
end
up
with
districts
that
pack
too
many
minority
voters
into
a
district,
so
there's
sort
of
a
balancing
act.
You
have
to
do
and
I
that's
something.
B
I
look
forward
to
working
with
you
on
to
make
sure
that
the
look
is
properly
complied
with.
Now
we
go
on
to
the
other
City
Charter
criteria.
The
first
is
that
districts
be
Compact
and
the
compactness
means
that
districts
should
have
a
minimum
distance
between
all
parts
of
a
district
subject
to
the
other
criteria,
and
political
scientists
have
developed
several
different
kinds
of
mathematical
models
to
measure
compactness.
So
you
know
whether
a
plant
is
first
compact
or
Not
by
itself
and
to
also
enable
you
to
compare
competing
plans,
for
which
plan
is
most
compact.
B
The
next
criteria
is
that
districts
be
contiguous
that
all
parts
of
the
district
should
be
connected
geographically
at
some
point,
with
the
rest
of
the
district
and
according
to
the
Boston
City
Charter,
all
districts
must
contain
contiguous
election
precincts
and
the
last
consideration
required
by
the
city
Charter
is
the
preservation
of
neighborhoods.
That
neighborhoods
must
be
given
priority
enjoying
districts
that
respect
the
boundaries
of
Boston's
recognized
districts,
of
which
there
are
about
I,
think
25
or
26..
So
those
are
your
basic
requirements
under
federal
law
and
under
City
Hall
you've
got
to
follow.
B
B
Another
criteria
often
used
is
a
ban
on
partisanship,
which
is
to
not
not
favor
or
disfavor
a
political
party,
a
candidate
or
incumbent,
and
then
the
last
criteria,
that's
often
employed
is
to
maintain
the
cores
of
existing
districts
using
your
current
boundaries
as
a
determinant
for
helping
make
a
lease
change,
as
might
be
necessary,
because
the
bottom
line
is
that
you're
trying
to
develop
a
new
plan
that
takes
the
current
districts
overlays,
the
new
population
data
from
the
2020
census.
You
look
to
see
first,
which
districts
are
over
or
underpopulated
make
those
corrections.
B
But
as
you
do,
that
you're
being
cognizant
of
minority
voting
rights,
whether
you
are
diluting
any
minority
voting
strength
situations
or
avoiding
any
kind
of
excessive
use
of
race
to
pack
a
district
and
run
into
a
constitutional
violation,
then
you
want
to
make
sure
that
your
districts
are
relatively
compact,
that
they're
contiguous
that
they
produce
Reserve
neighborhood
boundaries.
Then
you
may
want
to
also
consider
but
might
not
be
required
to
look
at
the
other
criteria.
You
can't
please
everybody.
You
can't
always
address
each
criteria
on
its
own
and
then
satisfy
all
of
the
others.
B
There's
always
a
balancing
act,
you're
going
to
have
to
keep
in
mind,
so
this
is
a
process
that
takes
place
once
every
decade.
There
are
people
who
are
pleased
not
pleased
but
it'll,
be
your
situation
to
make
a
decision
based
on
population
numbers
and
the
law
and
public
input
to
see
what
people
want
and
where
the
new
lines
need
to
go.
So
that's
my,
maybe
10
minute
overview
I've
been
led
to
I,
guess,
answer
questions
later
and
look
forward
to
working
with
you
moving
forward.
Thank
you.
Thank.
A
A
Okay,
who's
all
here,
so
this
is
a
public
hearing.
Many
of
our
Council
colleagues
have
been
here
are
here:
I
would
out
of
respect
for
the
fact
that
so
many
members
of
the
public
are
here.
We
will
take
public
testimony
first
and
break
it
up
and
go
back
and
forward.
So,
if
that's,
if
that's
acceptable,
we
will
do
our
best
to
keep
everyone
on
time.
A
I'm
setting
a
time
limit
of
three
minutes,
I
I
ask
everyone
to
be
disciplined
and
keeping
to
that,
because
everyone
has
to
have
an
opportunity
to
have
their
voices
heard,
and
that
includes
three
minutes
from
my
colleagues,
so
I
I
hope
we
can.
We
can
get
through
this
and
as
well
as
we
can
and
I
will
we're
here.
A
As
long
as
we
need
to
be
to
listen
to
community
comments
this
evening,
we're
also
going
to
be
having
taking
Community
comments
via
VIA
Zoom,
so
we
will
start
with
taking
some
comments
from
the
floor.
The
first
stop
is
Joe
McDonald
from
West
and
civic
association,
and
then
that
will
be
followed
by
Larry
decara.
A
C
Thank
you,
madam
chairman.
My
name
is
Joe
McDonald
I'm,
the
president
of
the
West
gen
civic
association,
I,
think.
We've
just
heard
that
the
main
four
criteria
we
need
for
devising
the
districts
are
equality
of
population
compactness,
obeying
the
civil
law,
the
federal
laws
on
the
subject
and,
finally,
saving
preserving
the
communities
that
is
keeping
communities
all
within
one
District.
C
We
all
know
we
have
one
perfect
district
and
that's
Austin
Brighton,
because
it
meets
every
criteria
and
all
the
plans
agree
that
Council
Breeden
has
a
perfect
District,
but
councilor
Murphy
has
also
discovered
that
there's
a
second
perfect
District.
You
don't
need
to
copy
down
the
numbers.
I
provided
the
clerk
with
the
the
there
are
papers
on
which
the
numbers
these
numbers
are
provided.
C
C
It
is
completely
composed
of
actual
communities
with
Civic
organizations
that
function.
It
is
compact,
that's
a
great
thing.
I
think
we
should
make
give
Council
Coletta
the
same
bragging.
Righteous
counselor
Breeden
and
saying
she
has
a
perfect
District,
and
that
way
you
can
take
the
West
End
as
a
whole.
C
You
can
take
Beacon
Hill
as
a
whole,
you're
still
preserving
the
districts
I'm
not
going
to
give
you
any
advice
on
what
to
do
south
of
the
common,
because
it's
not
within
my
expertise,
all
I'm
saying
is:
you
can
create
perfect
districts,
north
of
the
of
the
of
the
common
and
the
other.
Unfortunately,
two
of
the
plans
that
were
presented
to
you
split
the
West
End
into
add
half
of
the
West
End
to
Council
of
Coletta's
District,
that
is,
they
add
a
Precinct
to
a
district.
C
That's
already
overpopulation
I,
don't
see
how
on
Earth
any
any
rational
person
would
want
to
do
that.
The
thing
to
do
is
to
keep
the
West
End
the
three
precincts
of
the
West
End
in
one
district
and
that's
easily
done
by
creating
that
perfect
District
of
just
the
East
Boston
Charlestown
and
the
North
End.
A
D
To
see
you
so
great
to
be
here
as
I
told
the
council
president
I'm
glad
it's
now
handicapped,
accessible,
I,
didn't
know
that
when
you
were
proposing
it
before,
but
it's
important
to
me
so
for
the
record,
Lawrence
is
Takara
won
11
Perkins,
Street
Ward,
10,
Precinct
9.
I've,
looked
at
these
Maps
I've
looked
at
the
history,
as
the
council
has
drawn
Maps
over
a
period
of
decades,
and
there
are
certain
criteria
which
have
been
used
quite
successfully
and
the
professor
I
think
touched
upon
all
of
them.
D
D
So
most,
the
folks
at
Mattapan
are
in
02126
and
they're
in
the
same
Council
District.
Obviously
Charlestown,
East,
Boston,
they're
not
easily
accessible.
You've
got
to
go
over
Bridges
or
in
tunnels
to
get
there,
so
they
have
stuck
together,
but
there's
been
a
lot
of
maps
that
you've
done
a
bit
of
a
number
on
Dorchester
and
that's
where
I
grew
up.
So
it
means
a
lot
to
me.
D
Bluebell
Avenue
went
down,
Center
Street
to
Jamaica,
Plain
and
West
Roxbury,
then
a
bunch
of
farmers
and
that's
how
the
city
developed
with
storefronts
being
developed
along
there.
So
it's
really
important
that
these
communities
that
are
on
either
side
of
Dodd
Ave
people
on
either
side
of
the
red
line,
who
work
together
in
civic
association,
going
back
to
the
time
of
kid
clock.
When
I
was
here
in
the
council
back
in
the
70s,
they
even
named
a
building
after
her
at
UMass,
it's
a
great
lady,
a
Protestant
and
a
republican.
D
I
know:
Council
Feeney's.
Here
she
represented
that
District
Council
Byrne,
who
I
grew
up
with
represented
that
District
Council
Baker,
represents
that
District
now
and
take
a
look
at
those
Maps
8393
right
along
they've
kept
those
neighborhoods
which
have
always
worked
together
and
kept
them
together
and
I.
Think
that's
an
important
criteria
for
the
council.
Consider.
E
Thank
you
good
evening
counselors.
My
name
is
Kevin
Chen
I'm,
the
executive
of
the
Chinese
Progressive
Association,
the
Chinese
Progressive
Association,
is
at
28
Ash
Street
in
Chinatown
right
at
District
2..
So
you
know,
District
Two,
as
you
know,
is
overpopulated.
By
around
you
know:
13
000
people
and
our
members
testify
in
the
last
hearing,
so
I
want
to
really
appreciate
the
counselors
actually
taking
their
testimony
into
consideration
in
thinking
about.
E
You
know,
new
approaches
to
the
map
you
know
in
in
terms
of
keeping
you
know,
Chinatown
and
South
End
together,
and
also
keeping
a
balance
between
South
Boston
and
the
rest
of
the
district,
and
then
you
know
I
think
that,
while
you
know
our
most
important
concern
is
District
Two.
We
also
overall
see
why
I
think
we
think
that
it's
still
also
important.
For
you
know,
other
communities
of
color
have
Fair
representation
and
or
opportunities
for
representation.
E
So
I
just
want
to
say
a
few
things.
I
know
that
there's
a
number
of
meetings
that
are
happened
and
I
want
to
say
that
you
know
we
think
that
councilor
breeden's
you
know
map
is
going
in.
You
know
the
right
direction
and
there's
a
meeting
yesterday
with
the
end
of
ACP.
You
know
it's
also.
You
know
going
in
it's
the
right
approach
in
thinking
about
balance
and
representation.
E
E
You
know
districts
for
the
black
community
and
then,
but
also
create
leading
opportunities
in
other
districts
for
fear
representation.
So
I'm
just
going
to
leave
my
testimony
here
and
I
want
to
continue
work
with
the
council
and
really
thinking
about
how
do
we
ensure
that
you
know
all
of
our
communities
are
represented
fairly
and
doesn't
violate
the
Voting
Rights
Act.
Thank
you.
Thank.
A
F
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
and
thank
you
to
everyone
in
attendance
and
thank
you.
Everyone,
who's
been
involved
and
also
testifying
online.
We
want
to
make
sure
that
this
process,
this
important
process
to
done
every
10
years,
is
done
rooted
in
the
Voting,
Rights
Act
and
also
with
Community
input,
and
that's
why
we're
all
here
today
is
take
the
input
of
the
community,
listen
and
learn
from
all
of
our
neighbors.
Our
constituents
on
how
to
draw
this
map
so
for
me
today,
is
about
listening.
F
Learning
I've
been
taking
that
feedback
into
consideration
when
we're
drawing
these
Maps.
So
thank
you
all
for
attendance
and
thank
you
for
thank
you
to
city
of
Boston
for
your
engagement
on
this
process
and
everyone
here.
Please
spread
the
word
and
let
the
whole
city
know
that
this
process
is
happening,
which
is
an
important
tool.
That's
going
to
be
here
for
10
years.
So
thank
you.
Everyone,
attendance.
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
G
And
I'm
happy
to
be
here
been
attending
all
of
these
redistricting
meetings
and
it's
great
to
have
a
public
meeting
tonight
and
see
that
some
people
like
Karen
Chen,
who
has
spoken
already
you've
been
at
all
of
them.
Thank
you
for
your
advocacy
and
also
seeing
new
faces,
and
we
don't
have
much
time,
as
many
of
you
know,
but
I'm
glad
to
see
that
more
people
have
come
to
share
their
opinion
of
the
different
maps
that
we
have
started
to
share
out
and
I
know.
G
Many
of
you
have
seen
some
of
the
maps
that
are
out
there
for
myself.
It
was
a
starting
point
to
start
the
conversation,
knowing
that
we
needed
to
decrease
in
some
districts
and
move
in
others,
but
making
sure
that
we're
keeping
the
historical
districts
the
way
they
were.
That
was
one
of
the
main
things
I
really
cared
about,
and
I
did
say
this
at
the
meeting
the
other
day.
G
So
when
my
last
few
seconds
here,
I'll
just
remind
everyone
that
when
we
were
doing
the
research
in
our
office
about
the
historical
nine
districts
that
make
up
the
city
district,
one
has
been
Charlestown
East
Boston.
In
the
North
End
District
2
has
historically
been
Chinatown
downtown
South
Boston
in
the
South
End,
which
has
now
in
the
last
few
years,
included
the
South
Boston
Waterfront,
which
has
made
their
population
go
over
District
3
has
always
been
just
Dorchester.
G
A
Thank
you,
counselor
Murphy
I
just
also
recognize
want
to
recognize
elected
officials.
We've
already
heard
from
counselor
Larry
dakara,
a
former
city
councilor
clerk
Maureen
Finney
is
here
representative
Dan,
Hunt
and
Senator
Diane
Wilkerson.
Thank
you,
you're
very
welcome
and
nice
to
have
you
here.
A
H
H
Fields
Corner
is
a
very
diverse
area,
racially
and
economically
and
I'm
concerned
that
adding
it
all
to
a
district
that
will
still
have
a
white
vast
majority,
even
after
adding
Fields
Corner
will
not
best
meet
our
needs.
Particular
concern
is
the
type
and
amount
of
housing
being
added
here
in
our
immediate
future,
as
the
city
grows.
H
So
many
of
Boston's
best
trades
people
live
in
D3
and
are
well
established
there.
So
building
projects
of
any
home
type
are
how
they
make
their
livings
developers
are
proposing.
So
many
high-end
projects,
all
over
with
precious
little
affordability
and
D3,
does
not
have
the
same
affordability
needs
as
Fields
Corner,
so
as
people
here
fight
to
keep
their
homes
and
communities
intact
as
we
grow
our
city,
if
those
needs
are
vastly
outnumbered
by
others
in
our
district
whose
needs
and
interests
directly
contradict
ours,
we
won't
have
a
chance.
H
The
result
here
would
be
a
lot
more
displacement
and
a
lot
less
diversity,
I'm
sure
Boston
wasn't
growing
at
the
rates
we
are
now
when
redistricting
practices
were
set,
but
I
do
see
that
redistricting
is
done
to
preserve
communities
and
neighborhoods.
So
I
hope
you
will
add
these
factors
to
your
considerations
as
you
decide
how
best
to
preserve
our
neighborhoods
and
communities
as
we
grow
our
city.
Thank
you
for
your
time
and
for
all
of
your
hard
work.
A
A
I
I
Our
neighborhood
is
literally
on
the
other
side
of
the
tracks.
The
commuter
rail
tracks
along
Hyde,
Park
Avenue,
and
we
about
Mattapan
and
Hyde
Park
I
I,
want
to
you
know.
I
want
us
to
support
the
the
overall
objectives
of
this
committee
and
I
am
here,
like
I,
believe
many
of
these
other
neighborhood
associations
to
talk
about
consequences
that
some
of
the
kind
of
greater
good
decision
making
can
have
and
can
have
collateral
damage
on
very
specific
neighborhoods.
I
I
We
I
understand
the
idea
of
maybe
Roslindale
that
if
we
were
to
because
we're
on
the
Block
for
redistricting
right
now,
we're
in
District
Four,
one
of
the
things
stated
is
that
if
we
were,
you
know
redistricted
to
five,
then
you
know
that
would
make
Rosendale
whole,
and
that
is
true
and
in
theory
that
could
be
really
beautiful
in
practice.
Over
many
years,
our
neighborhood
has
not
always
served
well
when
we
are
lumped
in
with
the
rest
of
Roslindale.
I
There
have
been
just
about
just
about
all
of
the
development
projects
that
have
been
approved
here,
and
some
of
them
are
are
very
dense,
have
been
rentals.
Rentals,
rentals
and
I
know
that
our
our
our
new
and
current
city
councilor,
you
know,
is
very
committed
to
affordable
home
ownership,
and
so
that's
just
one
specific
example
where
we
really
you
know
we
need
support.
We
need
representation
that
will
help
our
our
border.
Neighborhood
have
you
know
improved
quality
of
life,
so
thank.
J
I
know
that
we
are
here
to
listen
to
public
testimony,
so
I
want
to
give
time
for
our
constituents
to
speak
as
well.
So
I
will
be
brief,
as
I
have
mentioned
before.
Some
of
the
principles
that
are
important
to
me
include
compactness,
so
that
we
have
a
minimum
distance
between
all
parts
of
a
constituency.
Ideally,
a
district
would
be
a
a
circle
or
a
square
preservation
of
core
of
Prior
districts
as
well,
to
the
extent
possible.
J
We
should
maintain
districts
as
previously
drawn
contiguous.
With
that
in
mind,
it
is
critically
important
to
me
that
parts
of
South
Boston
that
are
currently
in
District
2
remain
in
District.
2..
That
means
7576
would
remain
would
need
to
remain
in
District,
2.
I
think
South
Boston
should
stay
as
one
under
preservation
of
core
of
Prior
districts.
J
I
would
also
like
to
maintain
public
housing
as
much
as
I,
possibly
can
I
think
I
represent
the
largest
number
of
residents
living
in
public
housing
than
any
District
city
council
and
I'm
and
I'm,
proud
of
that
and
I,
probably
I,
probably
have
the
most
diverse
staff
as
well.
On
the
Boston
city
council
of
the
six
of
the
six
staff
members
I
have
five
a
woman
of
color
in
the
immigrants
and
they
speak
many
languages.
J
That's
that's
why
I
need
to
make
sure
I
advocate
for
my
district,
because
I
intentionally
wanted
to
make
sure
immigrants
had
a
say
in
my
office,
so
I'm
able
to
effectively
communicate
preservation
of
communities
of
Interest
keeping
areas
where
residents
have
a
common
interest
together.
That
is
important
to
me
as
I
emphasize
again
and
again,
we
need
to
keep
the
Chinese
Community
together
in
District
2..
J
We
need
to
consider
having
Castle
Square
remain
in
in
the
district
as
well.
Villa
Victoria
is
also
important.
Cathedral
is
also
important,
which
probably
should
stay
in
the
district.
I
would
like
to
have
more
discussions
on
that
with
my
colleagues,
but
that's
also
an
important
area.
The
Hispanic
community,
the
aapi
community,
as
well
I'd
also
like
to
retain
and
keep
intact
the
neighborhoods
of
of
South
Boston
that
I
highlighted
Castle
square
is
important.
It
has
a
large
Chinese
Community
Chinatown
majority
of
the
The
Wharf
District,
the
habitawas
I.
J
Think
all
of
us
agree
on
these
principles
and
I
look
forward
to
working
with
all
of
you
on
these
issues.
We're
talking
about
diversity
and
that's
what
I've
done
for
the
last
five
years
as
as
a
city
council,
making
sure
that
I
have
the
most
diverse
office
of
any
City
Council
again,
five
out
of
six
of
my
colleagues
are
woman
of
color
and
I
think
that's
an
important
criteria
as
we
as
we
work
on
on
this
issue.
Thank
you,
madam
Jim.
Thank.
K
K
K
In
terms
of
who
shows
up
in
terms
of
what
happens
in
your
community
or
doesn't-
and
that
has
a
lot
to
do
with
this
moment-
that
we're
talking
about
here
today
so
with
that
I'm
going
to
yield
the
rest
of
my
time
because
I'm
here
to
listen
and
learn
and
I
really
do
appreciate
you
all
being
here
this
evening.
Thank
you.
L
L
L
Excuse
me,
as
many
of
the
maps
provide
the
unification
of
the
Vietnamese
community
in
that
neighborhood.
That's
a
long
time
coming
and
it
should
have
happened
during
the
redistricting
process
10
years
ago.
There's
no
reason
for
that
positive
step
to
come
at
the
expense
of
our
community.
A
mile
to
the
South.
L
Our
association
wants
to
be
heard,
and
we
say
enough
is
enough.
This
is
the
second
time
in
two
years
that
a
redistricting
map
has
attempted
to
Divine
divide
us
along
arbitrary
lines,
the
first
time
being
the
proposed
Senate
map
last
year,
which
grouped
the
Western
precincts
of
our
community
with
towns
like
Avon
and
West
Bridgewater.
L
This
should
not
be
a
political
process.
Redistricting
should
be
about
the
stated
principles,
including
the
preservation
of
neighborhoods,
as
attorney
attorney
Weiss,
just
Affirmed,
but
it
seems
as
though
our
community
is
suddenly
in
the
political
process
of
some
and
is
caught
in
the
middle
of
political
disagreements
over
who
performed
well,
where,
in
recent
elections,
that's
not
acceptable,
things
are
being
done
to
us
without
us.
We
do
matter,
we
want
to
be
heard
and
we
want
to
remain
United
as
a
community
around
our
neighborhood
organizations,
business
district
and
the
district
police
City
councilor.
L
L
We
also
insist
that
one
of
the
cause
of
our
district,
whether
you
call
it
Adams
Village,
Cedar,
Grove
or
Saint
Brendan's,
be
preserved,
as
is
the
committee's
stated
mission.
Please
note
that
Saint
Brendan
is
not
purely
a
religious
designation.
It's
a
long-standing
tradition
that
we
endorse
us
to,
regardless
of
religious
affiliation,
identify
ourselves
by
the
parish.
We
live
in
dividing
District
three
and
four
through
the
middle
of
Adams
Village
St
Brennan's
Parish
would
be
like
dividing
Roxbury
through
the
middle
of
Nubian
Square.
It
just
wouldn't
be
right,
and
neither
is
this.
L
M
Good
evening
my
name
is
John
O'toole
I'm,
a
lifelong
resident
of
Dorchester.
My
children
are
fourth
generation
Dorchester
residents
who
still
remain
in
the
city.
I
was
a
former
president
of
Cedar
Grove,
civic
association
from
the
time
periods
between
1993
and
2008
and
and
I
remain
active
in
my
community
I've
gotten
involved
in
my
community
nearly
30
30
years
ago.
We
have
seen
so
many
positive
changes
in
our
Dorchester
neighborhood
in
that
time,
much
of
it
due
to
the
work,
the
collaborative
work
of
Ward,
16's,
very
active
Civic
associations
in
their
dedicated
elected
officials.
M
M
The
only
thing
that
I
see
that
the
proposed
changes
is
to
divide
the
oldest
civic
association
in
the
city,
which
is
88
years
old,
and
to
dilute
the
voices
of
this
vital
residential
and
business
community
on
the
city's
website.
It
says
that
it
wants
the
maps
to
be
fair,
including
preservation
of
neighborhoods
and
communities.
M
A
A
N
N
Basically,
what
this
map
does
the
first
thing
that
I
heard
over
and
over
and
over
was
keep
eight
one
and
nine
one
together
in
District
in
District
Two
to
to
continue
that
that
Chinese
presence
in
District
Two
I
heard
over
and
over
to
to,
let's
try
to
unite
the
Vietnamese
Community,
which
would
be
in
my
district
district.
Three,
that's
16
1
16,
3.
N
I
in
this
map
in
this
map,
I
I'm
already
in
Opportunity,
District
Legacy
District.
What
you
want
to
call
it
I
would
argue
that
if
District
4
and
district
7
a
legacy,
let's
look
at
District
three
here,
we're
already
in
Opportunity
District
I
would
call
it
a
coalition.
District
I
was
that
Coalition
Canada
it
that
that
went
into
Ward
16
I'm,
not
from
Ward
16,
but
went
into
Ward
16,
peeled
enough
votes.
N
There
had
Vietnamese
callers
for
months
eight
hours
a
day,
calling
the
Vietnamese
Community
same
for
the
Cape
Verdean
Community,
there's
the
we
we
bring.
We
bring
Bay
Village
Under
Kenzie's
Kenzie's
District.
Here
we
try
and
unite
as
much
as
we
possibly
can
with
the
south
end
in
District,
in
District,
Two
and
again
minimal
changes
to
the
Baseline
Maps.
Where
we're
respecting
neighborhoods,
you
heard
from
Ward
16
Saint,
Brendan's,
Saint,
Anne's
District
3
is
the
District
of
the
parishes.
N
What
I
would
like
more
than
anything
is
to
is
to
gain
Saint
Brendan's,
saint
Greg's,
all
of
what
I
had
last
time.
So
when
redistricting
last
time,
I
lost
three
or
four
opponents
through
redistricting,
most
of
them
coming
out
of
those
precincts
that
were
in
Saint,
Greg's
I
tried
to
do
the
math
on
it.
It
didn't
work
because
I'm
respecting
this.
N
This
new
map
here
I,
want
to
respect
my
my
colleagues
in
in
South
Boston,
where
stay
away
from
South
Boston
eight
one
was
something
that
I
was
planning
on
Tech
State
trying
to
get
but
to
respect
the
Chinese
community
that
stays
there.
This
is
about
boundaries
here
and
in
historical
boundaries.
Everybody
wants
to
come
to
Boston
and
make
their
political
bones
in
Boston
because
it
all
started
here.
This
is
a
way
for
us
to
respect
our
histories,
respect
our
parishes,
those
parishes
political
boundaries
that
these
Maps
were
drawn
on.
N
I
would
like
to
share
this
with,
with
the
whole
whole
crowd,
not
sure
if,
if
it
should
be
filed
or
not,
yet
people
should
look
at
it
chew
on
it.
I
want
to
show
that
picture
right.
There,
that's
Dave,
Dupree
and
the
hustle
is
that's
my
brother
John
in
1968
blind,
17
years
old,
playing
with
an
all-black
fan
up
through
Dorchester
up
through
Roxbury.
That's
what
a
Dorchester
family
was
doing
in
1968
when
the
rest
of
the
rest
of
the
city
was
on
fire.
The
country
was
on
fire,
that's
what
a
Dorchester
family
was
doing.
O
The
floor,
thank
you,
madam
chair
and
I
think
everyone
for
being
here.
This
is
an
important
part
of
the
redistrating
process
hearing
from
Community,
because,
as
I
said
before
and
I'll
say
it
again,
voters
choose
their
electives,
not
the
other
way
around
electives
don't
choose
who
the
people
are,
who
vote
for
them
and
so
hearing
from
all
of
you
and
hearing
your
comments
are
an
important
part
of
this
process.
O
Community
political
power
and
also
to
preserve
the
opportunity
to
preserve
the
districts
that
we
have
where
voters
of
color
are
able
to
elect
the
candidate
of
their
choice
and
so
in
complying
with
the
Voting
Rights
Act.
We
always
have
to
be
thinking
about.
Are
voters
able
and
our
voters
of
color
able
to
elect
the
candidate
of
their
choice
and
are
we
creating
opportunity
districts
where
we're
able
to
ensure
that
that
can
happen?
And
so
we
have
this
comp.
O
Work
that
look
at
what
districts
can
be
further
strengthened
as
opportunity,
districts
and
I
look
forward
to
continuing
hearing
from
all
of
you,
because
there
are
things
that
you
all
are
bringing
to
the
fore
that
we
haven't
considered
or
that
we
haven't
thought
of,
and
so
it's
an
important
part
of
this
process
for
us
to
think
about
how
we're
moving
forward
while
thinking
about
the
interest
that
you
all
bring
to
the
table.
Thank
you
thank.
A
P
You
have
the
floor.
Thank
you
good
afternoon,
councilors
and
redistricting
committee.
Thank
you
for
having
this
space
set
up
so
that
we
can
continue
to
focus
on
the
important
discussion
around
the
redistricting
process
that
we
are
all
undertaken.
My
name
is
Carla
Stovall
and
I'm.
A
member
of
New
England
United
for
justice,
New
England
United
for
justice
represents
Community
residents
who
come
from
all
walks
of
life,
primarily
in
the
black
and
Caribbean
neighborhoods
of
Dorchester
and
Mattapan.
P
95
of
all
work
in
the
city
is
focused
on
D3
D4
and
D5
neighborhoods.
We
are
one
of
many
partners
focused
on
Civic
engagement
across
our
communities,
engaging
the
residents
on
a
variety
of
issues
and
concerns
around
housing,
worker
efforts,
Child
Care,
neighborhood
concerns
and
other
community
power.
P
We
do
recognize
there
are
a
variety
of
maps
being
drafted,
some
by
elected
officials
and
some
like
community
and
neighborhood
voices.
This
is
such
a
difficult
but
timely
and
sensitive
process
for
all
of
us.
Our
organization
has
had
a
chance
to
review
the
maps
that
the
committee
has
put
forward
and
we,
like
some
of
the
recommendations
being
provided.
P
Thank
you
to
the
committee
for
their
work
on
this.
We
can
see
that
you
heard
Community
Voices
and
have
a
good,
stat
and
place
for
us
to
look
at
as
a
community.
We
have
also
been
looking
at
suggested,
Maps
shaped
by
the
NAACP
and
a
unified
group
of
residents
from
neighborhoods
that
are
primarily
black,
latinx
and
API.
P
We
believe
the
recommendations
from
the
community
in
the
NAACP
map
allows
the
work
of
the
committee
to
go
even
further.
We
support
the
idea
of
expanding
D4
by
including
key
parts
of
Dorchester
presets
from
D3
into
D4.
This
allows
the
community
to
expand
its
full-time
power
community
population
and
balance
the
number
of
Voters
across
the
city.
P
A
Q
Worry
about
it,
it
happens
all
the
time
it's
been
happening
to
me.
My
entire
life
I
moved
to
Dorchester
from
Chelsea
40
years
ago
and
I
married
a
girl
from
Dorchester
and
I've,
been
here
ever
since
I've
also
been
the
president
of
the
Pope
cell
Naval
Association
for
the
last
eight
years,
I'm,
not
ofd
and
I.
Think
it's
probably
the
first
time
anybody
got
elected
to
presidency
of
a
naval
dissociation.
Q
We
are
a
very
proud
Community.
When
I
first
became
president
I
got
the
chance
to
work
with
Frank
Baker
and
we've
we've
collaborated
with
issues
with
cedar.
We
were
not
with
issues
but
we've
collaborated
with
Cedar
Grove,
Fort,
Norfolk,
Clan
point
and
Frank
has
always
been
there
for
us.
So
what
I'd
like
to
say,
I'd
like
to
ask
the
the
committee
to
please
reconsider
the
mapping
you
have
for
district
three
I'd
like
to
take
a
little
different
approach
on
this
I'd
like
to
speak
about
our
counselor.
Q
Okay,
Council
Baker
is
one
of
the
longest
standing
council.
Members
has
done
nothing
but
fight
for
all
his
constituents
over
the
years.
He
understands
Life
as
a
lifelong
city
of
Boston
resident
but,
more
importantly,
understands
Life
as
a
long
long
life
Dorchester
residence
with
that
he
has
adapted
his
perspectives
to
adjust
to
the
diversity
changes
over
the
years.
Q
His
transparency
on
policy
changes,
the
rationale
behind
said
changes
and
what
it
means
for
Joe
public
has
been
Master,
Class
I
say
this
as
a
neighborhood
activist,
who
hasn't
always
seen
eye
to
eye
with
this
position,
but
acknowledging
that
the
greater
good
was
always
his
Target,
but
it's
how
he
engaged
and
took
position
that
made
the
difference
by
difference.
I
mean
between
the
politician
and
a
Statesman
and
Frank
has
evolved
in
the
latter.
So
if
this
proposal
was
based
on
any
ethical
data,
increasing
the
size
of
his
district
would
be
the
only
other
choice.
Q
A
A
S
S
Obviously,
things
are
going
to
change
and
there'll
be
a
little
bit
of
agita.
I
will
say,
though,
that
looking
briefly
at
Council
Baker's
map,
it
appears
that
he
and
his
staff
in
office
were
able
to
come
up
with
a
map
that
keeps
most
of
the
counselors
in
their
current
positions,
with
only
changing
a
half
a
dozen
or
so
precincts.
S
I
will
say
as
well
that,
as
a
chairman
and
president
bickerton
stated
with
the
senatorial
process
that
we
went
through
the
ward
16
consulted
attorneys
as
the
Senate
map
included,
16,
9,
10
and
12
in
Senator
Timothy's
district
and
the
attorneys
that
we
spoke
with
not
only
thought
that
there
was
a
difference,
obviously
between
Dorchester
and
Milton,
but
that
those
three
precincts
have
a
like-minded
and
contiguous
nature
with
the
citizens
from
1656,
8
and
11..
Collectively.
That
is
the
Neponset
area.
S
It
would
be
my
hope
and
that
you
consider
that
as
you
deliberate
and
make
sure
that
Neponset
is
held
whole
and
again,
I
appreciate
the
the
ability
to
speak
before
you
I
didn't
want
to
throw
a
lot
of
word
soup
at
you,
but
I
know
that
you
know
a
lot
of
this
information
and
folks
that
have
testified
previously
have
done
so
more
eloquent
than
myself.
So
thank
you
and
have
a
great
evening.
Thank
you
for
taking
me
out
of
turn.
A
R
representing
this
district
for
17
years,
during
which
time
I
served
as
president
of
the
council
and
also
chair
of
the
2002
redistricting
committee,
which
was
challenged
and
upheld
with
the
support
of
the
NAACP,
which
was
one
of
my
the
proudest
moments
I've
had
in
this
body
this.
This
work
that
I
did
gave
me
a
very
unique
perspective
on
the
historical
boundaries
of
District
three
and
those
of
the
rest
of
the
city,
really
understanding
how
challenging
it
is
to
come
up
with
a
map
that
tries
to
maintain
con.
You
know
continuity
for
each
neighborhood.
R
I
appreciate
the
challenges
you
face
in
redrawing
the
city
district
lines.
I
commend
you
on
your
efforts
thus
far
as
well
as
we
all
try
to
assist
you
in
your
work.
As
you
know,
equal
population,
compact
districts,
contiguous
boundaries
and
preservation
of
neighborhoods
and
communities
of
Interest
are
also
among
other
necessary
considerations,
since
its
Creation
in
1983
I
think.
Sometimes
we
forget
that
these
districts
were
only
created
such
a
short
time
before
that
was
the
first
time
the
district
had
been
CR.
R
Unlike
some
other
cities
in
the
center
of
the
city,
District
3
has
several
intractable
boundaries,
such
as
the
Atlantic
Ocean,
the
Neponset
River,
the
City
of
Quincy,
the
city
of
Milton,
train
tracks
and
other
clearly
defined
boundaries
such
as
WOD
committees,
Civic
associations
and
parishes.
I
know
you're
not
supposed
to
have
any
signs
on,
but
in
reviewing
the
map.
I
have
grave
concern
that
the
recommended
changes
to
District
3,
especially
precincts
8
and
11,
will
tear
apart
the
very
fabric
of
that
Community,
without
any
corresponding
benefits.
R
R
Well,
I
won't
get
emotional,
but
16.
8
is
also
the
home
of
the
riches
family,
Martin
Richards
and
you
know,
obviously
not
just
Rochester,
but
everyone
came
together
after
the
bombing,
but
there
was
a
history
before
all
of
that
that
made
this
community
of
Dorchester
hold
on
to
each
other,
so
dearly
and
one
of
the
things
was
when
the
MBTA
decided
they
were
going
to
give
us
a
bucket
of
paint,
and
that
was
it.
It
was
Ashmont
Adams,
along
with
Cedar
Grove
Civic
Pope's,
Hill
poet,
Norfolk
Saint
marked
all
these
Civic
associations.
R
That
said
you're
not
doing
it
to
us
again.
We
had
people
volunteer
Architects
and
give
the
plans
to
the
MBTA.
We
now
have
a
new
Ashmont
Station,
because
the
people
of
Dorchester
stood
with
16-8.
They
stood
with
Ashmont
Adams
that
we're
not
we're,
not
a
community
we're
a
family.
We
fight,
we
don't
always
get
along.
We
don't
always
agree,
but
this
is
a
special
place,
just
like
so
many
other
neighborhoods
in
the
city,
my
parents,
my
grandparents
and
my
parents
grew
up
in
Roxbury
right
on
Blue,
Hill
Ave,
and
you
know
it.
R
T
It's
a
Continuum
of
our
last
meeting.
I
I
was
just
hoping
to
hear
at
some
point
from
our
colleagues
the
authors
of
the
maps
just
to
see
whether
or
not
they
had
an
opportunity
to
sharpen
their
pencils
and
sharpen
their
focus
on
on
neighborhoods
and
communities
to
see
if
we
could
reduce
the
number
of
precincts
that
are
changing
districts,
25,
18
and
17,
respectively,
and
also
a
charge
against
any
colleagues.
T
I
know
I
heard
that
our
colleague
city
council,
Frank
Baker
from
District
3,
has
a
map,
if
any
of
our
other
colleagues
have
Maps
I'd
like
to
get
to
them
as
well,
and
give
them
the
same
attention
that
we've,
given
the
the
three
maps
that
we're
focused
on
and
that
with
that
I'll
truly
see
my
time
to
the
public.
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
U
Thank
you,
madam
chair
I,
think
a
lot
of
the
objectives
and
goals
that
I
have
brought
into
redistricting
as
far
as
sort
of
the
mandate
to
create
true
opportunity,
districts
that
we
are
charged
with
every
10
years
have
been
eloquently
stated
by
councilor,
Mejia
and
counselor
Louisiana
and
other
counselors
here
today.
I
am
very
much
interested
in
making
sure
that
we
keep
Community
listening
sessions
for
community
and
so
I'm
going
to
seed
whatever
time
I
have
remaining
to
community
testimony.
U
I
just
want
to
say
thank
you
to
the
community
that
has
come
out
to
be
heard.
I
think
it's
incredibly
important
that
we
do
that,
and
my
hope
is.
This
is
clearly
not
the
last
Community
listening
session
so
in
the
future
that
folks,
who
were
unable
to
make
it
here
today
and
are
watching
this
on,
repeat
or
folks
who
are
here
and
have
people
who
Express
a
desire
to
be
heard,
recommend
and
encourage
them
to
to
engage
in
this
process
as
we
continue
to
go
forward.
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
and
thank
you.
Vice
chairwell.
A
V
Have
the
floor
good
evening,
everyone.
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
sir
Vice
chair
for
the
opportunity
to
be
with
you
this
evening.
I
greatly
appreciate,
certainly
the
responsiveness
to
the
concerns
we
we've
previously
raised
about
increasing
the
transparency
of
these
listening
sessions
and
the
redistricting
working
sessions
and
greatly
appreciate
the
last
few
being
accessible
virtually
to
Residents
across
the
city
of
Boston.
I.
Think
that
is
critically
important
and
again
just
want
to
thank
you
for
your
attentiveness
to
those
concerns.
I
also
want
to
thank
you
for
bringing
Professor
Weiss
into
these
conversations.
V
I
appreciate
the
legal
guidance
that
he
provided
at
the
top
of
the
meeting
and
also
the
cultural
guidance
that
he
provided
in
his
overview
and
look
forward
to
again
having
him
and
and
others
as
a
part
of
this
process.
I
really
just
want
to
just
Lift
Up
In
This
Moment,
the
critical
importance
of
us
to
continue
to
listen
to
one
another
with
open
ears
and
open
mind
about
what
this
redistricting
process
requires
us
to.
Do.
V
V
Yes,
one
that
is
compliant
with
the
Voting
Rights
Act,
yes,
and
one
that
does
take
into
deep
consideration
the
desire
of
certain
communities
to
stay
to
stay
whole
I
mean
we
look
forward
to
continuing
that
work
and
look
forward
to
having
an
opportunity
to
share
it
with
the
city
in
the
coming
days.
Thank
you
again.
Madam,
chair
and
Sir
Vice
chair
for
the
opportunity.
W
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
Thank
you.
Members.
Allow
me
to
speak.
I
brought
my
own
map,
which
is
the
1874
version
of
Ward.
16.
Dorchester,
as
we
all
know,
was
annexed
by
the
city
of
Boston
in
1870.,
but
even
in
1874
the
boundaries
as
Council
Feeney
pointed
out
and
I
believe
attorney.
Dakara
were
already
set
based
upon
physical
geography
and
infrastructure.
W
The
Old
Colony
railroad
came
into
Dorchester
in
1868.
and
it's
always
been
a
collection
of
villages,
but
the
collection
of
villages
along
the
Neponset
River
and
along
Dorchester
Bay.
As
far
as
Commercial
Point
have
always
been
a
community
of
common
interests.
Now
the
names
and
the
faces
have
changed
radically.
Since
1874.,
it
was
primarily
an
agrarian
town,
primarily
occupied
by
Yankee
farmers
and
business
people
with
primarily
water
dependent
uses,
but
it
remains
a
collection
of
villages.
W
Most
of
the
things
I
was
going
to
say
have
already
been
said.
So
I
won't
repeat
myself
and
and
use
up
your
time.
I
do
agree
with
what
the
two
counselors
said
about
how
difficult
this
process
is.
Are
there
are
many
competing
interests
and
there
are
valid
claims
by
many
groups
in
this
city
to
be
recognized
and
to
have
adequate
representation.
W
I
am
the
President
of
the
Port
Norfolk
civic
association.
We're
a
small
neighborhood
I
can
tell
you
what
laws
account
we
have
280
mailboxes
I
know
that,
because
I've
knocked
on
the
doors
I've
waited
many
times
through
the
years.
We
are
a
cohesive
Community,
this
end
of
Dorchester,
but
we'll
notice
homogeneous
as
everyone
seems
to
think
we
are
when
I
knock
on
doors,
I
encounter
immigrants
from
Haiti,
Poland,
Puerto,
Rico,
Ireland
did
I,
say
Poland
and
Haiti
so,
and
we
also
elected
and
re-elected
the
first
haitian-born
member
of
the
Massachusetts
Senate.
W
We
we
honestly
don't
care
what
someone
looks
like
where
they
come
from
what
language
they
speak,
what
church
they
go
to,
whether
or
not
they
go
to
church.
What
we
care
about
is
what
kind
of
people
they
are.
The
newcomers
in
Port
Norfolk
are
here
because
they're
attracted
to
the
equality
of
life
in
the
neighborhood
they've,
embraced
living
in
the
community,
they've
been
embraced
by
their
neighbors
and
I.
Think
that's
true
throughout
Dorchester.
W
W
A
X
Good
evening,
everyone,
my
name,
is
Beth
Huang
and
I'm.
The
director
of
the
Massachusetts
voter
table.
We
work
with
Community
organizations
across
Boston
and
across
the
state
to
increase
Civic
engagement
and
representation.
So
first
I
want
to
share
who
the
drawing
democracy
Coalition
is
and
what
our
goals
are.
We
came
together
in
2020
and
2021
to
draw
more
representative
maps
at
the
state
level
and
we're
hoping
to
do
the
same
at
the
city
level
and
we
also
largely
participated
in
the
mass
counts
coalition
to
get
out
the
count
in
the
2020
census.
X
We
have
two
overarching
goals.
The
first
is
that
every
opportunity
District
so
every
District
that
has
over
50
plus
one
population
of
people
of
color,
has
presents
a
good
chance
for
a
person
of
color
to
represent
that
district
and
that
voters
have
a
fair
chance
of
electing
a
candidate
of
choice.
The
second
is
that
bipod
communities
that
are
currently
divided
by
district
lines
can
be
reunited
and
preserve
their
political
power.
X
The
current
city
council
districts
divide,
matapan,
upham's,
Corner,
Grove,
Hall,
Bowden,
Geneva,
Fields,
Corner
and
Mission
Hill
I,
appreciate
questions
and
but
also
challenge
Notions
about
keeping
historical
districts
how
they
are.
Yes,
there
are
reasons
for
grouping
districts
in
the
way
that
they
currently
are
grouped,
but
sometimes
these
districts
do
ingrain,
long-standing
inequities
and
long-term
segregations,
and
so
a
few
notes
that
we
in
Impressions
that
we
have
on
the
maps
that
have
been
filed,
which
I
know
are
very
difficult
to
draw.
X
So
the
first
is
our
notes
on
counselor
Murphy
map
is
that
we
see
an
over
concentration
of
people
with
color
in
District
Four.
There
are
many
ways
to
draw
District
Four
that
do
not
over
pack
people
of
color
into
a
district
that
then
only
contains
6.2
percent
white
people
and
given
patterns
of
racially
polarized
voting.
It
is,
it
seems,
clear
that
drawing
District
4
in
this
way
over
packs
black
and
brown
voters
at
the
expense
of
representation
of
people
of
color
in
neighboring
districts.
X
On
the
second
map
presented
by
counselors
Fernandez
in
Arroyo,
and
also
on
the
maps
presented
by
counselors,
Braden
and
Worrell
in
general.
We
believe
that
these
Maps
achieve
many
of
the
coalition's
goals,
but
we
do
have
a
few
concerns
here
and
there
so
on
the
map
presented
by
councilor,
Fernandez
and
Arroyo.
X
Our
main
concern
is
that
this
is
that
we
see
the
division
of
the
South
and
in
in
Chinatown
Chinese
communities
that
we
heard
quite
a
bit
about
in
the
previous
hearing
and
then
in
the
map
presented
by
chair
Braden
and
vice
chair
Worrell.
We
we
see
overall,
this
is
a
is
a
decent
balance,
but
we
do
see
that
districts,
one
two
and
eight-
are
a
bit
overpopulated
and
given
trends
of
development
in
these
areas.
We
believe
that,
not
just
in
10
years,
but
much
sooner,
these
will
become
overpopulated.
X
A
Y
Thank
you,
Madam
chair,
counselor,
Fernandez
Anderson,
here
I
wanted
to
just
ask
some
questions
and
I
apologize
for
being
late.
If
can
you
clarify
for
us
or
for
those
watching
at
home?
What
is
the
Mandate
or
required?
What
are
we
required
by
law
in
terms
of
considering
current
city
councilors
in
where
in
their
residence
or
in
their
District.
A
I
think,
if
you
have
legal
questions,
we
are
you
missed
the
presentation
by
legal
counsel.
If
you
have
legal
questions
you
send
them
to
us
and
we
take
them
to
legal
counsel,
and
this
is
really
focused
on
public
testimony.
So
I
I,
we
I,
don't
want
to
get
into
a
back
and
forward
conversation
with
you.
It's
not
I.
We
can
do
that
in
a
working
session.
Y
Madam,
chair
I
appreciate
you
setting
the
tone
as
a
listening
session.
It
would
bring
Clarity
for
the
listening
session.
This
this
session
is
essentially
for
the
public,
and
so,
with
all
due
respect,
my
clarification
is
to
Stage
the
premises
to
which,
at
my
point
was
going
to
end
on,
but
I
wanted
to
just
clarify
for
the
public.
Then
I'll
say
it
that
we
don't
have
a
mandate
to
actually
consider
counselors.
Y
We
have
a
mandate
to
consider
first
priority
building
opportunity,
districts
and
then
the
other
point
I
think
is
that
we
need
to
be
very
clear
about
the
process
itself.
I
think
that
a
lot
of
folks
are
coming
up
with
you
know,
opinions
or
Solutions
or
different
Maps,
I'm,
not
sure.
If
counselor
Baker's
map
I
heard
that
he's
proposed
a
map
was
presented
here
today
or
when
I
would
like
to
see
it
and
then
I
would
say,
there's
a
certain
there's,
a
there's
another
map,
I
guess
my
questions
for
the
public.
Y
A
I
apologize
for
it,
we
didn't
present
any
Maps
construction.
Baker
indicated
that
he
has
a
map
that
he'd
like
to
share.
You
will
bring
that
to
our
next
working
session,
which
will
be
a
publicly
accessible
we've
televised
and
that's
when
we
will
discuss
any
further
additions.
The
focus
of
this
afternoon's
hearing
is
to
really
take
public
testimony,
and
that's
where
we're
at
with
well.
Y
In
that
case,
thank
you,
District
Seven
constituents
and
all
of
my
beautiful
people
I
see
the
Asian
Community
up
there
and
thank
you
Rochester
for
coming
out.
I
really
do
appreciate
the
idea
of
keeping
communities
together,
as
if
someone
faith,
I
think
that
it's
a
beautiful
thought
and
I
will
highly
keep
that
in
mind
in
my
process
in
our
process
and
I.
Thank
you
for
taking
the
time
because
we're
feeling
very
nice
seeing
you
and
thank
you
all
for
being
here
for
testifying.
Y
A
Z
A
AA
You,
madam
chair
members
of
the
committee
and
the
public
present
and
virtual
for
the
record.
My
name
is
Diane
Wilkerson,
I
I
do
want
to
say
actually
a
resident
of
broxberry,
more
specifically
a
resident
of
District,
five,
eight
five.
So
for
people
who
think
that
the
entire
District
3
is
is
in
Dorchester,
I
am
in
I,
live
in
District
three
in
Roxbury
it
happens
the
way
the
lines
are
drawn,
that
the
neighbors
across
the
street
from
me
are
in
a
different
District
they're
in
D7.
AA
My
point
is
this:
no
matter
what
we
say
and
no
matter
how
emotional
we
are,
the
lines
have
to
have
to
start
and
end
somewhere,
and
so
that
that
is
going
to.
That
is
our
reality.
You
know
we
have.
This
is
the
situation
that
we
have
to
deal
with
right
now
we
are
landlocked.
We
have
an
ocean
on
the
seaport
side.
Right
that
happens
to
be
the
neighborhood
that
is
overpopulated.
AA
Nubian
square
is,
in
fact
represented
by
two
different
state
reps,
that
happens.
It
happens
all
over
the
city
in
1992,
when
I
moved
into
the
building
called
Douglas
Park
the
side
of
the
building,
the
hallway
that
I
lived
in
was
in
the
second
Suffolk
District
the.
If
you
took
a
left
in
my
hallway
in
the
same
district
in
the
same
building,
you
walked
into
the
first
Suffolk
District
Senator
Belzer
and
I
shared
the
same
building
at
the
time,
and
so
don't
anybody
think
that
this
is
some
crazy
thing.
AA
We're
asking
people
to
do
the
lines
have
to
start
and
and
in
somewhere
the
reality
is
we
get
so
used
to
in
this
city.
Councilmania
is
absolutely
right.
The
issue
of
race
has
been
such
a
high,
a
high
trigger
for
us
that
we
don't
know
how
to
talk
about
it.
We
know
all
the
ways
in
which
we
argue
that
we
can't
use
it.
AA
There
is
absolutely
no
legal,
not
only
climate,
but
if
you
walked
into
a
court
with
a
map
that
you
said
that
the
major
Focus
was
to
keep
all
the
incumbents
in
place,
it
would
be
struck
stricken
on
on
its
face
at
that
very
moment.
That
is
not
how
we
do
it.
It's
not
how
it
will
get
done,
but
I
think
that
there's
still
some
opportunities
here.
AA
I
know:
we've
just
talked
about
it
a
little
bit,
but
we
do
have
a
map
that
we've
been
we've
put
together
and
taken
an
ALT
alt
account
all
of
the
issues
that
we
can
I
think
that
the
parishes
I
think
that
Dorchester
I
think
you're
going
to
be
surprised
as
what
we've
come
up
with,
because
we
heard
you
even
though
that
that
that
religion
is
one
of
the
things
you
can
look
at.
It
is
hardly
a
priority.
AA
AA
AB
Good
evening,
everyone,
my
name,
is
Erica
Steves
I
live
in
Roxbury
in
9-5
and
I
can't
freestyle,
so
I
took
some
notes,
but
thank
you,
Senator
Wilkinson
for
saying
some
of
the
things
I
was
planning
to
say
as
well,
but
again,
10
years
ago,
I
testified.
At
this
same
hearing.
We
were
part
of
a
coalition
focused
on
fulfilling
the
intent
of
the
Voting
Rights
Act
and
at
the
time
our
demands
were
simple:
to
represent
the
entire
city,
to
not
crack
District
3
and
to
unpack
District
4..
AB
So
two
for
three
is
a
decent
bad
average,
but
not
good
enough.
So
on
a
matter
of
compactness
and
contiguousness,
I,
don't
think
representing
did
its
full
job.
It
was
done
in
a
way
that
I
think
still
failed
to
live
up
to
its
intended
purpose
and
could
have
been
a
lot
more
thorough
and
comprehensive
in
addressing
the
natural
borders
of
major
thoroughfares
throughout
the
city.
I.
AB
I.
Actually,
the
council
give
full
consideration
to
all
of
the
competing
priorities,
but
you
have
a
thankless
job,
because
a
fact
of
life
is
that
you
can't
make
everyone
happy,
but
some
of
the
city
council
districts
with
citizen
voting
age
populations
that
are
predominantly
people
of
color
have
in
fact
shifted
in
a
demographic
demographic
makeup.
I
actually
take
the
most
heed
to
the
unintended
consequences
of
overly
diluting
voting
blocks
and
also
pay
attention
to
how
some
voting
blocks
have
historically
dominated
Municipal
elections
in
certain
districts.
AB
In
fact,
Dorchester
has
been
historically
divided
into
at
least
three
city
council
districts,
as
Senator
Wilkinson
just
alluded
to
since
1984,
and
in
fact
the
reasons
for
the
nine
districts
nearly
40
years
ago
was
a
direct
result
of
the
unfair
and
inequitable
way
that
city-wide
council
elections
had
taken
shape
for
many
years
prior.
That
prevented
a
large
part
of
the
city
from
electing
candidates
of
their
choice.
This
certainly
this
conversation
is
certainly
bigger
than
Dorchester
it's
bigger
than
Roxbury.
AB
Anderson's
point
is
that
you
know
it
probably
is
not
one
up
for
consideration,
but
an
independent
body
is
something
that
always
is
recommended
for
reducing
processes
so
that
we
leave
out
of
the
conversation
whether
we're
gaining
this
precincts,
we're
losing
this
Precinct.
It's
really
about
the
citizens
and
the
voters
throughout
the
city.
Thank
you.
AC
Thank
you
for
having
me
my
name
is
Fatima,
always
Salon
I'm.
The
current
chair
for
the
Great
American
neighborhood
Council
I
reside
in
my
home
almost
22
years
at
in
Ward
18
Precinct
4
in
Mattapan,
where
I
live.
It
is
right
on
the
border
of
Hyde
Park.
It
moves
along
the
what
is
called
the
Neponset
Greenway.
AC
The
importance
of
it
I've
heard
from
earlier
testimony
in
regards
to
those
who
reside
I
can
respect
that
who
worked
hard
on
the
development
of
a
deposit
Greenway
in
the
parts
of
Cedar
Grove.
There
also
are
plenty
of
residents
and
Community
groups
within
Mattapan
who
also
work
diligently
in
the
development
of
the
neponsa
greenway,
going
from
Mattapan
Square
over
the
Harvest
Bridge
privacy,
and
continue
to
do
so.
AC
My
community
historically
has
received
some
of
the
lowest
dollar
amounts
in
capital
budget,
coming
directly
to
Residents,
whether
they
were
voting
or
non-voting,
and
the
importance
of
paying
attention
to
what
you
say
and
do
and
whose
representation
is,
as
counselors
illusion
of
Apple
said,
is
not
about
ensuring
anyone
currently
is
filling
a
seat.
It
is
about.
This
is
the
residence
in
the
city
of
Boston
as
a
community
of
majority
black
community,
and
we
have
the
highest
rate
of
black
Memorial.
AC
AC
We
have
also
seen
through
the
creation
of
the
greater
bad
opinionable
Council
representation,
where
we
also
get
to
advocate
for
our
neighbors
our
communities
surrounding
us,
because
Mattapan
is
unique,
Nick
in
the
consideration
that
we
have
the
center
of
surrounded
by
four
separate
neighborhoods,
Hyde
Park,
Roslindale,
Jamaica,
Plain
and
Roxbury
I'm.
Sorry
in
Dorchester.
One
of
the
things,
though,
that
I
keep
hearing
over
and
over
again
is
a
little
concerning,
is
that
the
there
is
always
the
importance
of
the
Voting
Rights
Act
is
is
preeminent
in
this
discussion
and
I.
AC
A
Thank
you
for
your
testimony
and
I'm.
Just
looking
at
my
long
list
of
folks
that
have
been
here
and
sat
here
all
afternoon,
I
did
have
the
intention
of
giving
you
all
a
stretch
break
at
one
stage,
but
I
forgot
about
that,
and
we
have
I
have
one
more
person
on
the
list:
Samuel
Pierce
you
have
the
floor.
A
AD
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
Thank
you
to
the
counselors
and
everybody
else.
Who's
testified
performing.
I
think
that
one
of
the
things
we
need
to
think
about
is
that
it's
taken
a
hundred
years
for
us
to
get
to
this
point
as
far
as
us,
redistricting,
and
also
redrawing
the
wards
and
precincts
so
much
so
that
it's
actually
become
detrimental
to
actually
run
for
office.
AD
Honor
about
the
week
of
February,
15th
I
had
decided.
I
was
going
to
run
for
office
after
receiving
over
8
000
votes
two
years
ago.
Some
of
that
District
included
board
16,
where
I
would
actually
agree
with
many
of
the
testimony
here
today.
A
lot
of
the
people
who
testified
are
also
friends
of
mine
and
many
of
which
voted
for
me
and
I
know
that
Dorchester
is
a
Melting
Pot,
just
like
Roxbury,
just
like
Mattapan,
just
like
all
of
the
nine
districts
here
in
Boston
I.
AD
Don't
think
that
we
have
to
separate
or
segregate
as
we
ensure
that
the
lines
of
the
districts
become
whole
and
concise
to
what
people
are
looking
to
see
it
take
place.
What
we
do
need
to
do
is
make
sure
that
the
city
council
uses
its
authority
to
ensure
that
the
election
Department
has
a
clear
understanding
of
what
the
wards
and
precincts
are
in
Boston
and
so
that
people
interested
in
possibly
joining
you
or
replacing.
AD
This
is
not
something
that
we
can
rush
through,
especially
since
all
of
you
gave
yourselves
a
raise,
and
so
I
think
that
the
people
deserve
our
money's
worth,
and
so
that
being
said,
in
order
to
get
our
money's
worth,
we
want
to
make
sure
that
there's
enough
time
in
all
of
the
different
districts,
so
that
each
district
has
a
chance
to
voice
its
opinion.
Thank
you
very
much.
A
A
The
last
time
we
did
this,
we
worked
on
it
for
18
months,
so
I
appreciate
everyone,
leaning
in
and
joining
the
conversation,
and
we
will
continue
to
work
diligently
over
the
next
three
weeks
to
see
that
we
get
this
project
across
the
Finish
Line
to
deliver
a
defendable
map
to
the
mayor
and
to
have
it
signed
off
and
voted
on.
So
we
will
continue
to
work.
We
will
continue
to
keep
talking
and
listening
most
especially
listening
and
I
want
to.
Thank
you
all
for
being
here
this
afternoon.