Voting plan is under scrutiny

Published 12:00 am Friday, May 21, 2004

DEMOPOLIS – The Justice Department has asked city officials here for more information on the city’s redistricting plan.

City Attorney Rick Manley told council members during an executive session of the council’s regular meeting that he had received a call earlier Thursday from the federal agencies that must approve any redistricting plans prior to an election.

“The Department of Justice asked us to take the 1992 plan and apply the 2000 census figures to it,” he said.

Email newsletter signup

The city had amended its plan after completing an annexation, Manley said.

“It’s not considered a problem and I don’t foresee any problems for the upcoming election,” he said.

“I don’t know where they’re coming from. It was a very complete submission and (Justice) was very complimentary of the plan,” Manley said.

In other council action, council members approved a transfer liquor license, and Director of Public Safety Jeff Manuel informed the council the city had received a federal traffic grant that will pay salaries for police officers working Memorial Day traffic details.

Manley presented a resolution, adopted by the council, to begin condemnation proceedings at 604 East Pettus Street, property owned by Beatrice Harris Thurman of Cleveland, Ohio. An old house at that address is dilapidated and the lot is overgrown. Manley said an adjacent property owner may acquire the property.