Alfano, the community's representative for 7 years, under proposed district lines, could very well move south and be removed as West Hempstead, Franklin Square and half of Elmont's representative. The prospect of losing Alfano in the Assembly has united many community organizations, school districts and leaders in crying foul and blasting the proposed district lines as blatant partisan gerrymandering.
The public outcry over the plan has spilled over into Civic Association meetings and school districts now openly expressing grave concern over losing a senior member of the Assembly and a member of the Assembly Leadership due to a State Legislative Task Force. Community leaders have united in a way unheard of recent memory in fighting to keep Alfano from moving his district. Alfano himself has noted, I can't go to a public stop without having to stop and talk to people at great lengths about the lines and the impact it has on our community."
The outrage stems from Alfano's district being moved south and stretching as far east as Freeport. Franklin Square and parts of Elmont and West Hempstead would get a new Assemblyman from the Lynbrook area. Media outlets throughout the State have started to highlight districts that have been marked as obtrusive gerrymandering specifically. The New York Times, in a piece two Sundays ago, highlighted Alfano and Assemblyman Bob Barra as being one the most blatant of the Assembly redistricting attempts.
Alfano, however, is not sitting on the sidelines. He is leading a fight to win back his Assembly district and is finding no shortage of community help in reversing the legislative Task Force's proposed Assembly lines. "The response has been astounding," said Alfano. "My district phones are ringing off the hook, letters are pouring in and people are outraged by the Task Force's action. Quite frankly, the people should be outraged."
Alfano is directly encouraging residents to write to his office and express opposition to the Assembly plan that would split the 22nd district. The bottom line is write and take a stand now to fight to protect our community,
