Redistricting in Robertson County

I saw this article from the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle about the status of Montgomery County’s re-districting status and process.
 

It looks as though a re-districting committee completed an evaluation, analysis and proposal as a proposal is moving forward to their county commission.

Where is Robertson County in the redistricting process?

In the past couple of weeks, a committee has been constituted. Members include:

Commissioners -

Bobby Jones (Chariman) – 10^th District

Carol Dugger (Secretary) – 5^th District

James Bowens  – 12^th District

Billy Vogle – 7^th District

Tommy Baggett – 9^th District

Ex-Officio / Non-Voting Members –

Cathy Hamsley, Administrator of Elections

Bob Hogue, Planning & Zoning

At our last Regular Commission Meeting, Chairman Bobby Jones gave a status report as to the committee’s progress.

The Committee has met with a representative of the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury’s office. An outline of objectives was presented to the Committee.

Chairman Jones advised that the Committee hopes to meet at least 2x a month until a proposal is formally submitted to the Robertson County Commission. Further, a proposal must be passed by year’s end.  

Re-Districting Timeline

The 2010 Census does not just provide us with information the best way to manage our resources, and plan for the existing and coming growth to Robertson County.

Immediately, we will begin work on how to re-district our commission districts. Here is a brief outline of what the RCC will be doing over the coming weeks and months – this information provided by CTAS(the University of Tennessee’s County Technical Assistance Service):

Our offices will not receive the 2010 census population date until April, therefore, the actual work involved with redistricting will not begin until June or July. The statutorily deadline to complete redistricting is January 1, 2012. Depending on when the census maps and population data are available, you will only have between five and six months to develop and finalize a new county commission district plan. As a result, we recommend that local officials

·         Establish a redistricting committee;

·         Review your current districts

·         Review private acts in your county

·         Read the manual that will be sent out

·         Appoint a technical lead or point of contact person in your county to avoid confusion

I am looking forward to this process.

Again, I cannot help to keep pointing this out for it allows us to strategize as opposed to merely reacting.

I would be curious to hear your thoughts and your perspectives.

2010 Census: More Notes & Picture Graph

This post on the 2010 Census results last week was a very popular post here at ‘From the Blackpatch.’

More and more data continues to emerge as relates to population information. TCCA Executive Director David Connor had a follow-up post on more census data.

Check out the link to this picture-graph. It shows the percentage growth for counties in Tennessee. It is quite interesting to note the growth in and around Middle Tennessee. It is one of the first that I have seen to picture Robertson County’s growth.

I would expect the trends to do nothing but continue in the next ten years here in north middle Tennessee.

Will we plan for this growth, or will we react to this growth?