SOMERS POINT — Legislative redistricting maps released last week from both major political parties keep Somers Point in District 2, much to the relief of city leaders.
It may never be known whether their efforts to keep the city in District 2 paid off, but that matters little since the outcome is what was desired.
“I’m very happy,” Mayor Jack Glasser said. “It was our preference. I think a lot of people in Somers Point wanted to stay.”
Glasser said it makes sense, given that a lot of residents are connected with Atlantic City’s casino industry, and that constituents are much better served by the Second District legislators.
“We’re part of Atlantic County. Our offices are within a bus ride away, which for those who do not have private transportation makes it possible to take public transportation,” he said. “It’s somewhat of a hardship to go from Somers Point into Legislative District 1.”
District 1, represented by Republicans state Sen. Mike Testa and Assemblymen Antwan McClellan and Erik Simonsen, has its legislative offices in Cape May Court House.
District 2, represented by Republicans state Sen. Vince Polistina, Assemblyman Don Guardian and Assemblywoman Claire Swift, has its legislative office in Linwood.
Glasser said Somers Point has been bounced back and forth between the districts.
“You kind of lose your identity being bounced around,” he said, noting it makes it difficult for the public to know who represents them.
City officials and political leaders spoke in favor of the city remaining in District 2 during a public comment session before the Apportionment Commission on Jan. 26. Glasser, City Councilmen Sean McGuigan and Mike Owen and former City Council members Dennis Tapp and Kirk Gerety all advocated for the city to stay put.
The state’s 564 municipalities are divided into 40 Legislative Districts, whose boundaries shift based on population trends. They are redrawn every 10 years following the census by the Apportionment Commission, a 10-member bipartisan panel.
Redistricting is done to ensure each person is equally represented through the creation of districts that are as equal in population as practicable in order to achieve the principle of “one person – one vote,” according to apportionmentcommission.org. The final map determines the area represented by each of the state’s 40 members of the Senate and 80 members of the General Assembly.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
