What Redistricting Means for the Five Towns

Under the redistricting plan that the legislature on Tuesday, Woodmere would fall into three legislative districts, Hewlett into two districts, and most of Inwood and a sliver of Cedarhurst would be placed into a newly created 19th district.

 “Voting against the entire concept is irresponsible,” said Legislator Howard Kopel, R-Lawrence, who was among 10 legislators that voted in favor of the amended map, passing it, 10-8.

He cited the of the county attorney, who said redistricting needs to be done immediately because of population deviations that violate the Constitution, and that the county charter requires action within six months after census data is released.

Still, Kopel admitted, “It is a political thing, let’s be honest about it. But on the other hand, there are legal requirements that need to be followed.”

The map was drawn up by the county attorney’s office, and amended after a raucous, hours-long public hearing. A court hearing scheduled for Thursday will decide on the legality of redistricting.

“I’m kind of hoping that the court says no, you’ve got to run on the old lines,” Kopel said. “I’m very happy representing the current district. If it stays like that, I’d be happy.”

Under the redistricting plan, a part of Woodmere and Hewlett, as well as Gibson, would fall into District 3 — currently represented by John Ciotti, R-Valley Stream. Some of Woodmere, most of Cedarhurst and Hewlett and a small slice of Inwood remains within District 7. Meadowmere, a chunk of Woodmere, most of Inwood and North Woodmere and a sliver of Cedarhurst — including Lawrence High School — now fall into the newly created minority-majority District 19, which has no incumbent.

"I think overall it’s probably the right thing to do," said Frank Mistero, executive GOP leader for Inwood, North Lawrence and Atlantic Beach. "I would prefer to have [Inwood] stay intact with the Five Towns. The comments are, ‘why we are being separated from the Five Towns.’ By doing this it reinforces that view. It is what it is and we just have to deal with it."

Atlantic Beach and Atlantic Beach Estates, which are represented by Legislator Denise Ford, R-Long Beach, would not be impacted by the redistricting plan. Lawrence is not affected either.

Kopel said he does not think the redistricted map is good, but believes Ciotti will represent his area of Woodmere well. He said he also hopes to have “another bite at the apple” with redistricting if he is elected into office for another term.

“Remember, we’ve got a bunch of villages, fire districts, two town councilmen, we’ve got a whole bunch of things going on, and that doesn’t mean it’s not the Five Towns,” he said. “The Five Towns is a popular name; it’s not a geographic area.”