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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 01 1 J!, 2- 10: 14 <br /> <br /> SANTA A At <br /> COALITION FOR BETTER Gov r= kNMEN'T <br /> PO BOX 4086, SANTA ANA, CA, 92702. FPPC ID # 1311410 <br /> <br /> January 12, 2012 <br /> <br /> <br /> Mr. Paul Walters <br /> Interim Santa Ana Manager <br /> 20 Civic Center Plaza, 8th Floor <br /> R O. Box 1988, M31 <br /> Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br /> <br /> Dear Mr. Walters: <br /> <br /> The Santa Ana Coalition for Better Government (SACBG) is a community organization <br /> comprised of local residents and stakeholders encouraging civic participation while <br /> promoting and advocating for efficient, transparent, accountable and ethical governance by <br /> the elected and administrative officials of the City of Santa Ana. <br /> <br /> We are writing this letter on behalf of the Board of Directors regarding concerning in <br /> response to the City Council's Ward redistricting process. It is apparent that the current <br /> process involving the public in this important decision is simply the bare minimum required <br /> by the City's Charter. While this satisfies existing legal precedent, we believe that a <br /> decision as important as defining new council ward boundaries, which will impact future <br /> decisions in the city for the next decade, requires public input from all sectors of the city. <br /> As such, we urge the city to involve the public in this important process before making its <br /> final decision. <br /> <br /> We are making this request because the new ward boundaries now under consideration <br /> were conceived behind closed doors by three council members. The product of these <br /> secret meetings was based solely on the population, and without regard to other <br /> critical factors that define a "community of interest." As we mentioned to City Clerk Maria <br /> Huizar in our recent meeting with her, the proposed redistricting further divides <br /> neighborhoods, particularly ones plagued by crime, poverty and lack of public participation <br /> while leaving the more affluent neighborhoods in tact. <br /> <br /> The proposed re-districting plan splits Willard, Madison Park, Memorial Park, Santa Anita <br /> Park, Riverview West, Central City, Pico Lowell, and Downtown neighborhoods. By giving <br /> these poorer neighborhoods more than one city council member, the new ward system <br /> dilutes the power of neighbors to organize to lobby for common interests. The Santa Anita <br /> neighborhood, which has long been represented by three council members, is an example <br /> <br /> <br /> 1 <br /> 11A-11 <br />