County redistricting scheme criticized as divisive, in bad faith

Santa Clara County is in the process of potential redistricting based on the latest census. One proposal, outlined in the Orwellian-named “Updated Unity Map" would dissect the current Santa Clara County District 1 so that Almaden Valley and Los Gatos will no longer be included and will be replaced by other areas of San Jose (Evergreen, Communication Hill, and Cambrian). Peter Verbica of CCR writes to the redistricting commission and county supervisors to call out the deep problems with the proposal.

Dear Hon. Commission Members, Supervisors Wasserman, Chavez, Lee, Ellenberg and Simitian,

As a fifth generation California native born in San Jose, I've seen some amazing hat tricks -- and not just those on the ice rink by talented Sharks. Some sharks swim on land. Some hold public office. Others populate staff.

Speaking of hat tricks, one example was the stickwork by the County which down-zoned rural properties in the 1980s -- arbitrarily stripping millions of dollars in value from large swaths of property in the foothills.

Unlike Europe, which traditionally built in the hills and wisely preserved valleys for agriculture, the County of Santa Clara consented to the paving over of hundreds of thousands of acres of its fertile flatland. "Slope density" formulas and other bizarre, ad hoc calculi, were ratified by the County to quell rural property values without just compensation. This theft is an indelible stain which tattoos a host of former supervisors (who clothe themselves in open space righteousness, as long as it's at others' expense).

Opportunism, like a tireless horse, trots out once again -- with the re-drawing of Supervisorial Districts. "Gerrymandering" is defined as "the manipulation of an electoral constituency's boundaries so as to favor one party or class." New proposed maps seek to divide long-established neighborhoods, such as Willow Glen. And those tendering such do so with a straight face.

No writer explains the re-purposing of language and "doublespeak" better than George Orwell, famous for his references to the "Ministry of Truth," and phrases such as "War is Peace," "Freedom is Slavery," and "Ignorance is Strength."

But, the wordsmiths behind the title of the new "Updated Unity Map" deserve, at the very least, an honorable mention. New map proposals don't provide "unity" in the least. Neighborhoods are cleaved and severed, rather than unified. One can only wonder if the goalie has been pulled off the ice and the net is untended.

Warmest regards,

Peter Coe Verbica