Thread by @redistrictAZ

Days to #FairMaps for Arizona = 98

So many issues to cover today.
1) @timmonsgroup mapping tool not winning many converts
2) @ArizonaIRC has no process for mapping - Public should be VERY concerned
3) Community Input - round 2 - not off to a promising start
1/

2/ Mapping tool not winning many converts
Seriously we were hopeful the tool would be user friendly and we might host workshops and training encouraging individuals to use the tool and submit district suggestions. Not happening. AND @timmonsgroup clear they are NOT

3/ in business of "end-user support." Translation to the public: "You are on your own."
So the IRC is telling the public to use a tool introduced just hours ago with no tech support AND not making it explicit that current open source tools will be integrated into submissions.

4/ Oh sure, you can submit anything you want in any format. But there are three explicit examples of paper maps submitted during round 1 that ARE NOT posted or included in reports. No confidence that the IRC takes seriously this responsibility or manages it responsibly.

5/ Item 2: Mapping Process - How is @ArizonaIRC going to do this? Are they going to spend 23 days collecting data and never changing a line and then - poof - on day 24 start asking for lines to be moved?

6/ Has anyone heard them commit to issuing all directions to mappers in public business meetings? Anyone? Do they have a system to catalog requested changes and the reasons for the request? Anyone seen anything like that? Or heard any conversation about it? Yeah, us neither..

7/ Do you suppose they think they can do this one-by-one - each commissioner providing direction at whim? Or just the Chair? or through staff? SCARY!

8/ Item 3 - Community Input - Round 2
On 8/31 Commissioner Lerner suggested inviting an expert to discuss Latino pop in AZ>>> ChairNeuberg issued word salad and idea was scraped. 9/14 after presentation by AZDemographer Chair Neuberg suggests adding

9/ a presentation about AZs Latino community to a future agenda. All Commissioners agree. ViceChairWatchman suggests adding to the agenda additional areas- copper, gaming, tourism. Neuberg issues a new word salad about .. "specific objective threshold" ... see following quote

10/ "You know as we think through additional expert, you know, presenters to come to us, I'd like to just remind us of the importance of establishing objective criteria through which to, you know, entertain invitations.

11/ "Thinking about what are the top economic industries of Arizona, which is separate from the ethnic minorities. And whatever invitations that we offer, you know, speak to a specific objective threshold of, of why we need to learn about this in order to redistrict.

12/ And, and, and, and I just say that so after the fact, you know, we feel good about providing an equal playing field for all industries, minority groups, communities of interest out there. And, ah, it's something that I think requires some thought and deliberation on.

13/ "Um, and we'll do due diligence as you know requests or these ideas come, come forward."

End Quote. And it looked like she was reading this..
And for the record what is the existing "specific objective threshold"? The @ArizonaIRC has been meeting since January!

14/ AND - How would anyone know if they have provided an equal playing field? They do not disclose who they are meeting with outside of noticed public business meetings.

And here is a fresh idea: Instead of seeking experts to talk about the Latino community, how about

15/ actually talking with members and leaders of the AZ Latino community? Maybe at one of the upcoming round 2 hearings? I am sure @LUCHA_AZ , @MiFamiliaVota @PoderinAction @Puenteaz or many others would be excited to host a town hall for the @ArizonaIRC

16/ Near certain lobbyist for @AZFarmRanch wouldn't mind.. Pretty sure they feel access has been equitable.

So where does this all end up?

Where it always does - It's up to us - the public -- to insist on #FairMaps for our communities and our state

17/ Starting with comments on where district boundaries should be drawn. Find one near you... And go - and take friends and neighbors w/ you...

Tuesday, September 21 4:00 pm (MST) 5:00 pm (MDT)
Main location: Red Mountain Multigenerational Center 7550E. Adobe St. Mesa,AZ 85207

18/ Tuesday, September 21 4:00 pm (MST) 5:00 pm (MDT)
Satellite locations:
Yuma Civic Center 1440 W. Desert Hills Dr. Yuma, AZ 85365
Navajo Nation Training Center (limit 25 participants onsite) Masks Required Morgan Blvd. Bldg. #2740
Window Rock, AZ 86515

19/ Thursday, September 23 12:00 pm ( MST)
Main location: Scottsdale Center for the Arts
7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale,AZ 85251
Satellite locations:
Radisson Hotel 777 N. Pinal Ave Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Sierra Suites 391 E. Fry Blvd. Sierra Vista, AZ 856

20/ Saturday, September 25
Main location: 10:00 am (MST)
Desert Willow Conference Center 4340 E. Cotton Center Blvd. Phoenix,AZ 850401
Satellite location:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 3700 Willow Creek Road Prescott, AZ 86301

21/ Wednesday, September 29 4:00 pm (MST)
Main location: Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center 33606 N. 60th St. Scottsdale,AZ 85266
Satellite location: Tucson Convention Center 260 S. Church Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701

22/ Thursday, October 7 4:00 pm (MST) 5:00 (MDT)
Main location: The Vista Center for the Arts 15660 N. Parkview Pl. Surprise,AZ 85374
Satellite locations:
High Country Conference Center 201 W. Butler Ave.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

23/Thursday, October 7 4:00 pm (MST) 5:00 (MDT)
Satellite locations:
Cesar Chavez Cultural Center 1015 N. Main St.
San Luis, AZ 85349
Kayenta Township Town Hall (limit 25 participants onsite) Masks required 100 N. Highway 163
Kayenta, AZ 86033

24/ Hope to see you - and your friends and neighbors - at one of these meetings.

END