Redistricting Update/ Call to Action 2 for Thursday 8/17

Due to the great turn-out of Park Village families Monday, the Redistricting Commission is considering our request to be rejoined with the rest of Penasquitos in District 5. Given the required due diligence for any changes to the existing redistricting plan, a decision *could* be made as early as tomorrow night. Here's the latest update and what you can do to help :

Update:

1. Monday night’s mtg got the commission’s attention. We now need an equal or greater turnout at tomorrow’s (Thursday’s) mtg. This is our last chance to show them our commitment and how much this means to us. Attending the mtg is the single most important thing you can do.

2. RPQ Planning Board Chair Jon Becker is tirelessly refining a map/proposal which provides a way to reinstate Park Village with the rest of PQ in District 5 while remaining within the legally required maximum population percentage deviation.

3. Several organizers plan to speak tomorrow on specific unique reasons that PQ should remain whole in District 5.

What YOU can do:

1. Come to tomorrow’s mtg: Thurs, 8/18/11: CITY HALL, 12^th Floor, City Council Chambers 4:00pm

(If possible, arrive 1 hour early to clear the metal detector security and secure speaker slips for our organizers.)

This is the single most important action you can take. Notes at the end of this message explain how you can support our cause at the mtg.

2. Write an e-mail to the commission TODAY (Wednesday) redistricting_2010@sandiego.gov stating that you support “One PQ in *District 5*.”

An email written TODAY can get to the commissioners before they make a decision on Thursday.

3. Please forward this to all your friends and neighbors in the PQ (not just Park Village) area. They can attend the mtg, write the commission, etc. to support us, too!

How to Support Thursday’s Mtg:

1. Physical presence. The commission recognizes those who take the time to physically show up in large groups. (The Kensington community was able to get their area reinstated in their desired district by doing this.)

2. Whether you wish to speak or not, obtain a "speaker slip." (Speaker slips are only given out prior to the start of the mtg so you’ll need to arrive about an hour early). Fill in your name and address. Next:

a) Give it to Paul Hoover for your time to be allotted to one of our group’s organizers, or

b) Submit it directly to the city representative for your own speaking time.

c) If you don't see Paul and don’t wish to speak, submit your speaker slip anyway. When called, you can simply stand up and say, "That's me, and I support keeping all of PQ in District 5.”

3. Complete/submit a written form (available at the mtg entrance) asking the commission to please "keep all of PQ, including Park Village in District 5." (You *can* both email the commission *and* turn in a form at the mtg.)

4. Make/bring signs or banners that read "One PQ in District 5.”

5. If you are willing, speak about why it's important to you to stay with Penasquitos in District 5. The commission likes to hear from real citizens with real concerns. Keep it to a minute or less. You can do this in addition to submitting an email and a written form. It is personally moving to hear speakers talk from their hearts about their common interests with others in Penasquitos and in District 5--how their families play in parks, participate in sports and extra-curricular activities, and shop/dine in Torrey Highlands, Black Mountain Ranch, Carmel Mtn Ranch and Rancho Bernardo; how the middle and high schools we attend are north and northwest of us; how we all attend community events such as the Festival de los Penasquitos and Winter Wonderland together, and/or how we share the same fire concerns as our neighbors to the north.

Communication Reminders:

1. Stay focused on our community's common interests described above. Concerns re: our schools no longer being part of PUSD or home values going down will detract from the message we want to send, and they actually hurt our credibility because they are unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future.

2. Emphasize that we want "All of PQ in *District 5*." (We do *not* want to see PQ whole in District 6, because we do not share common interests (schools, shopping, sports, activities, etc.) with Mira Mesa, Miramar, Kearny Mesa and Linda Vista.

3. Avoid speaking ill of any specific person or community.

-Communicating to the commission that a group or person who claims to represent your interests *is* fine and encouraged.

-However, speaking badly about any individual person doesn't help our cause and can backfire.

Thanks for your continued support. Together, we can make a difference!

-Arlene