Janine Marnien
LA CRESCENTA -- By the time Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Glendale) defeated Jim
Rogan to represent the 27th Congressional District, concerns that a
Democrat couldn't represent a traditionally Republican community had
virtually disappeared.
As a congressman, Schiff is well regarded for his efforts to listen
to, and respond to, his constituents.
That's part of what makes the redistricting policies so frustrating
for many residents.
Under the recently approved changes in district lines, La Crescenta
voters will no longer be represented by Schiff in the 27th Congressional
District. Instead, La Crescenta, Montrose and La Canada Flintridge fall
into the 26th Congressional District of Rep. David Dreier (R-Covina).
Almost two weeks before the March 5 primary, the vast majority of
frustration stems from redrawn district lines that divide neighborhoods
in two, leave out some neighborhoods all together and even cause the
members of the Crescenta Valley Town Council to have two different
representatives, according to President Danette Erickson.
"It's so silly the way they divided the streets, I think they drew the
lines from outer space or something," Erickson said. "All of the streets
below me all vote in my precinct except for one house."
The confusion sparked the town council to have a representative from
the county Registrar-Recorder speak at the town council meeting Thursday
night to help clear up some of the confusion, but Erickson is still
stressing that residents need to find out before election day where their
new polling place is.
"We don't belong to anybody. They've just chopped it up," Erickson
said. "The moral of the story is that we all have to learn where we all
belong."
Residents can find information about where to vote at www.lavote.net
or by calling (800) 815-2666.
