Wednesday, August 1, 2001
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Wednesday, August 1, 2001 |
| Westmoreland
expects 'surprise attack' in remap
By JOHN
THOMPSON
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland knows he is up against it in this week's redistricting session. A special session of the Georgia General Assembly gaveled to order today for members to agree on a new set of district lines designed to even out population shifts over the last ten years. But with the Democrats in control, Westmoreland sees an uphill battle to try and keep politics out of the process. "I feel like I'm a member of a five-foot, six-inch basketball team playing the Harlem Globetrotters," he said. Westmoreland said the Republicans have proposed 13 different maps since July 10, but he has yet to see one from the Democrats. "It looks like it could be a repeat of the flag issue a surprise attack," he said. In public hearings around the state, Westmoreland said he has heard from countless citizens who want the planned maps public and don't want to be surprised with the final results. He said the Republicans have tried to work with various factions, including the Black Caucus, but have not gotten anywhere. "We just want this to be a fair and open process," he said. Westmoreland foresees some multi-member districts and said Fayette County could become one. "Sharon Beasley-Teague from Red Oak is going to probably get north Fayette. We'll just have to see what else happens," he said. Westmoreland said residents can keep up with the process by going to www.thinkmajority.com. The Web site is up and running today and will show updated maps.
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