Lemoore City Council moves forward on creating district voting maps

Only one Lemoore resident, Tom Reed, had anything to say about the matter, suggesting that the city is prepared for the 2020 census when voting districts are required to be updated. Voting districts adhere to census changes and need updating, indicating that the areas should reflect growth patterns.

View Maps 102 and 104

Councilmembers warmed to the idea of creating districts that prepare for future growth, that won’t have to be dramatically changed, costing the city more money.

The fourth public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 20.

A representative of the National Demographics Corporation presented four potential maps that councilmembers and the public have viewed since the end of January. The Council seemed to settle on plans 102 and 104.

The maps agreed to by councilmembers appear to reflect the possibility of growth in the city. Each of the district’s boundaries borders the city’s existing borders.

As currently projected, currently each district has a councilmember. The public can view the districts online at www.drawlemoore.org.

In other action, it appears councilmembers may decide whether they want the interim city manager, Nathan Olson, to take on the tile of the permanent city manager. Olson, the city’s public works director, took on the city manager’s duties when council dismissed its former manager Andi Welsh. The council could very well decide at its Feb. 20 meeting.

Councilmembers also appointed Regina Boerkamp to the Lemoore Planning Commission. Mayor Ray Madrigal and Mayor Pro Tem Eddie Neal recommended the selection. Boerkamp is an administrator with Champions Recovery Alternative Programs Inc. in Hanford.

Despite some objections by Councilmember Dave Brown, councilmembers voted 5-0 to approve a letter advocating for reasonable immigration reform. The letter will be sent to members of Congress currently debating immigration reform, including DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).

“More words can be added to it,” said Councilmember Brown. “The letter should represent the entire council.”

Madrigal insisted the letter is only about “reasonable immigration reform.”