From the office of Sen. J.B. Jennings:
Redistricting 2011: A Rigged Game
In less than one week, I will be back in Annapolis for a special session to handle redistricting. If you haven’t seen the proposed maps from the Governor’s appointed redistricting commission, you can view them here.
The maps are accompanied by an explanation about how each of the new districts were drawn. Three of them largely include Baltimore & Harford Counties: the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Congressional Districts.
You can learn that the 1st District, which encompasses much of Harford County, was drawn to maintain an “Eastern Shore, rural and agricultural” character.
And you can read that the 2nd District, which includes Aberdeen and runs down through Essex and Dundalk, was intended as a “BRAC corridor district,” enabling residents “most impacted by the Base Realignment & Closure process to elect a Congressman capable of focusing on this important issue.”
But what about an explanation of the 3rd District, one of the most gerrymandered in the country? An explanation is notably missing- in my opinion, because there is no reasonable explanation for the way in which this district is configured.
You can see it for yourself – a section from the Governor’s commission about every district, 1 through 8, except for District 3. This district skips, slinks, meanders and plunges along central Maryland, creating a jumbled chessboard on which voters are simply pawns. The maneuvering is so blatant that there is no denying it has been drawn for purely political reasons. The district is neither contiguous nor fair, and does not reflect any sort of common thread amongst its constituents.
Expressing your outrage over this monstrous gerrymandering is my priority in the upcoming special session. I will do everything in my power to help make it better. While the district will end up looking like a Chinese dragon no matter what, I know that I can effect some change to help make it more palatable.
Maryland’s monopolistic, majority party may think that Baltimore and Harford County voters are simply pawns in their political game, but you and I know much better- and I’m ready to fight for you. Please continue to be in touch with your concerns and suggestions.
As always, I am proud to represent you.
Sincerely,
Senator J.B. Jennings
Your Safety Concerns Are Being Heard
My office heard from many constituents at a recent Greater Kingsvillle Civic Association meeting about problems in Franklinville at the Belko property.
I want you to know that Del. Kathy Szeliga and I sent a letter to Baltimore County Police Department Chief Johnson following that meeting. On your behalf, we have requested additional overnight police patrols.
I will share the police department’s response when I receive it. I believe that additional patrols should be allocated to stem the loitering and vandalism problems that are creating an unsafe atmosphere in an area that borders many constituents’ homes.
If you have a safety concern in your community, please do not hesitate to be in touch so that I can work on your behalf to help you feel secure.
Around the District
{At the Baltimore County Corn Roast with “the Guv,” Bob Ehrlich. He gave me my start in public service as an intern for his Congressional office over a decade ago. It was great to see him with an armful of roasted corn and a big smile.}
I spent a great Saturday at the Baltimore County Corn Roast on Oct. 1, running into lots of old friends.
It was an honor to be a “celebrity bagger” at Klein’s ShopRite in Harford County recently. This family-owned grocery chain has locations all over the district and nearby neighborhoods: Aberdeen, Bel Air, Forest Hill, Belcamp, Timonium and Jacksonville. I was there to “Help Bag Hunger,” with 2% of all the day’s sales going to Christmas gifts for needy children.
I enjoyed reading to children at Chapel Hill Elementary School on their “Read With Me” evening of Dr. Seuss stories. We shared “Oh the Place You Will Go!” together. If you would like me to read or talk about public service or local government with children at your local school, please be in touch with my District Director: TammyLarkin@SenatorJBJennings.com.
My New Buddy
My wife Michelle and our new puppy, Miles.
While there are certainly many serious issues on the table in the General Assembly, I’d like to take a moment to share something on the softer side. My wife and I have big hearts for animals. We have four dogs at home, and just welcomed a new puppy: Miles. He is a Fox Hound breed. Michelle fell in love with him and he is technically “hers,” but he likes to sleep with me- so this is the face I wake up to every morning before heading out to meetings with constituents and hearings around the district. A great addition to our raucous family.
Please join me for a great autumn event. Tickets are available until the day of, but we do need at least an email from you to let us know if you’re planning to attend- that way, I can make sure there is plenty of food, beer and cider for everyone!
I bet we will get the same deal as the tolls. Politicians saying one thing and we still get nothing. Let me be the first to pat myself on the back.
I think it is worth noting how the first seems to capture a little tad of baltimore county for no other reason then maybe Andy Harris lives there? perhaps if this was slipped into the second and the rest of Harford in the first then the 2nd would be more compact.
I must admit, that is about the strangest looking congressional district I’ve seen. The people living in that district must be baffled as to how they broke this down. Thank god it doesn’t effect our district.
I for one will be voting against Harris. It amazes me that he can complain about everything but what is right to complain about. This is what makes America great. We have the opportunity to vote someone out of office. BTW I AM A REPUBLICAN AND AM ASHAMED OF THE WAY OUR PARTY IS GOING!
Sure you are a Republican. You like the way the Democrats are going? Give us a break.
There are many of us who are Republicans that are unhappy with Andy Harris. I did not like him when he was my state senator. I think alot of people so wanted “change” they voted for him. His district is drasticlly changed now that it contains the whole shore and less people not on the shore. If a republican is going to win it will need to be a Wayne Gilchrest republican.
If you purchased your puppy from a puppy mill, shame on you. There are plenty of wonderful adoptables at local shelters and rescues. The runs behind you in the picture are in awful condition. No reputable organization would maintain their animls this poorly.