"City is ignoring resident's rights"
Letter to the Editor, Hi-Desert Star / Desert TrailLetter to the Editor by 29 Palms Neighbors, Published in the Hi-Desert Star / Desert Trail, September 21, 2021
Why do the 29 Palms City Council and city manager willfully continue to ignore the official legal processes mandated by the state regarding redistricting? As 29 Palms Neighbors pointed out in the press and at the July council meeting, California law requires that local governments ENCOURAGE robust citizen participation in redistricting, to ensure an inclusive, democratic outcome in redrawing council districts.
The Fair Maps Act 2019 prioritizes public participation in the state-mandated redistricting process. The Sept. 28 “hearing” is the second of four public hearings before adopting final district maps. The city is required to make a sincere effort to notify the Twentynine Palms citizens of these hearings. Yet, the Sept. 28 “hearing” is not on city calendars and email notifications haven’t been sent via the city system. A public notice buried in the back pages of The Desert Trail is not sufficient notification and does not encourage robust participation as mandated.