The Common Council voted 16-0 on Monday, May 2nd, to form a special leadership committee that will establish wards and aldermanic districts with regard to the redistricting process of 2011.  Click here to view the previous article:

http://www.kenowi.com/2011/05/03/council-sets-committee-to-establish-wards-districts/931

They have 60 days, beginning last Friday, May 20th, to establish their ward boundaries and develop their own aldermanic district map for presentation to the Council.  In order to facilitate this process, Alderman David Bogdala, 17th District, requested information regarding the census data and relevant statutes.  One of the tools the committee will need is redistricting mapping software.

Bogdala said the Mayor has refused to allow him, or any other alderman, access to this software.  After a lengthy discussion with the Mayor on Friday, Bogdala was forced to make a public records request to provide whatever information, passwords, log-in, etc., is necessary for him, and his 16 fellow aldermen, to access the software.

Bogdala reported on Tuesday that the Mayor is still refusing to give the information related to the mapping software to any citizen.  According to what Bogdala reported, only he (the Mayor) and City Development can have access for “security reasons.”

The Mayor’s reply to the question of his denial of Bogdala’s request was that the software has limited capacity.  It can only create so many maps.  “If he gave it to one alderman, wouldn’t he have to give it to all 17?”  The Mayor said that he can’t allow unlimited access to the system.  “Hopefully, we can come to some amicable solution tonight.”  The Mayor was referring to a meeting of the special leadership committee tonight at 6:00 pm.  They will take residents’ comments and discuss redistricting the city’s aldermanic districts.