Democrats Propose Redistricting Map to Town Board

The Town of Hempstead Democratic Committee has proposed its own map for the upcoming redistricting.

Democratic deputy leader Bob Young told Newsday [paid link] that they are attempting to keep "more people in similar communities together."

The Democrats' "Fair District Map" creates two minority-majority districts, keeps the Five Towns area together and puts the bulk of seaside communities in one district. A minority-majority district is one in which the majority of people belong to a minority group, and these districts are mandated in the Voting Rights Act of 1982.

District maps are redrawn every 10 years as required by law, to account for demographic changes. The town's population of nearly 760,000 grew by 0.5 percent from 2000 to 2010, but the minority population grew much faster in areas such as Elmont, Valley Stream and Freeport, advocates and redistricting experts said.

The Town of Hempstead will be holding a meeting regarding the redistricting of the town's councilmatic districts on April 9 at 10:30 a.m. at town hall, located at 1 Washington St. in Hempstead).

Taxpayer Forums

Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin presents a Taxpayer's Forum. Learn how you can lower your tax bills by taking advantage of tax exemptions, assessment challenges, tax discounts. The Receiver will answer questions about property taxes and provide other important taxpayer information. Free admission. Call the Office of the Receiver of Taxes for further information at 538-1500.

• April 8, 2013, 7 p.m. - Malverne Library, 61 St. Thomas Place, Malverne
• April 11, 2013, 6 p.m. - Roosevelt Library, 27 W. Fulton Ave., Roosevelt
• April 16, 2013, 1 p.m. - Hewlett-Woodmere Library, 1125 Broadway, Hewlett

Hempstead Town Board Meeting

The next meeting of the Hemsptead Town Board will be held on Tuesday, April 9 at 10:30 a.m. Town board meetings are held in the Nathan L.H. Bennett Pavilion, adjacent to Hempstead Town Hall, One Washington St., Hempstead.