PC Redistricting

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Supervisors get first look at new boundaries, set public hearings

By Billy Davis

Moving streets in Sardis from District 2 to 1, and putting Enid Shores from District 4 to 3, are the biggest proposed changes in Panola County’s redistricting plan.

Panola County supervisors reviewed the proposed changes Monday in Batesville, when professional planner Mike Slaughter made a pair of county maps public for the first time.

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The county board set up public hearings next week, March 22 in Sardis and March 24 in Batesville, for the public to review the maps and ask questions. Both meetings are set for 6 p.m. at the county courthouses.

Supervisors are set to return Wednesday at 4 p.m. to make recommendations to Slaughter and his planning firm.

Slaughter showed supervisors maps labeled Alternative 1 and Alternative 2, both designed to equally distribute population numbers, in all five supervisors districts.

The professional planner said he personally prefers Alternative 2, which uses natural boundaries such as roads to mark boundary lines. Alternative 1 boundaries follow section lines, which he said are more difficult to follow.  

The biggest proposed changes fall under Alternative 2, which would move six blocks in Sardis from District 2 to District 1. Only one block is changed under Alternative 1, according to Slaughter.

Sardis streets Dewberry and Jaunita were visible on the maps, though other streets were more difficult to identify.

Slaughter said he will bring close-up maps of Sardis streets to the Wednesday meeting.

Enid Shores is moved into District 3 under both plans, though Alternative 2 also moves District 3 farther east to take in Plum Point and Hubbard Creek roads.

Hubbard Road marks the boundary line with District 4 in Alternative 2.

Slaughter and Associates is using 2010 census figures, released in February, to study boundary lines for Panola County government, the City of Batesville, and the South Panola School District.  

Census figures showed only District 4 gained residents, which requires other districts to absorb part of District 4.

Moved boundary lines are also supposed to ensure the minority voting population does not show a decrease when the redistricting plan goes before the U.S. Justice Department.

Butler and Snow attorney Tommie Cardin told supervisors all parties will need to “bust a gut” to get redrawn lines finalized before the August 2 party primaries.

Working back from the August date, Cardin’s description of looming deadlines convinced supervisors to meet soon to finalize the map, and to set up two required public hearings.

The quick action should have the final redistricting plan sent to Washington by March 31, Cardin told the county board.  

“March 31 is the drop-dead date if you back up from the August primary,” he said.

Cardin also mentioned an NAACP lawsuit that named the Panola County Board of Supervisors among others. The plaintiff wants the March 1 qualifying deadline suspended.

A hearing on the matter is scheduled for April 25 on the matter, Cardin said.

The Panolian reported last week that Judge Mike Mills refused to rule against the NAACP but also wrote that supervisors, when they redraw boundary lines, need to consider the issues raised in the lawsuit.