Ellicott City Residents to Council: 'Furious,' 'Disappointed'

Wheatfield and Brampton Hills residents are up in arms over the current redistricting plans, and they're using email to voice their concerns. 

In a quick burst of emails to counselors and the media over the weekend, several residents expressed their anger and disappointment over a proposed redistricting map that would move their neighborhood from Councilmanic District 1--mainly comprised of Ellicott City neighborhoods--to District 2--the majority of which is in Columbia.

The council may vote on a new map at its .

"My concerns ... are that a Columbia representative would not be familiar with the concerns that affect us on the Route 103 corridor." Amy Francis wrote in an email. "Please do not ignore our concerns, I feel that you as a County Council are not hearing us."

"I am furious that you have not worked together as a council to come up with a compromise plan for redistricting that allowed our neighborhoods from Precinct 02-03 to stay in District 1," Debbie Bures-Walker wrote.

"You saw our presence of over 150 people on Monday, Nov. 7 and close to 100 people on Monday, Dec. 19.  You heard our valid arguments and saw our pictures. ... How can you ignore these citizens and voters?  How can you expect them to be involved in local government when their voices are so brazenly dismissed?"

Between October 2011 and Feb. 6, there were 28 submissions from residents of Wheatfield and Brampton Hills requesting that the neighborhoods remain in District 1.

The council voted to hold off on a vote at the Feb. 6 meeting. They can vote on the map tonight, however, if they do not vote by March 15, the Redistricting Commission's redrawing of council lines will become law.

Find that map, which would move Wheatfield and Brampton Hills into District 2, online.

"While we appreciate all the effort that's been put into the redistricting plan, we (I think it's safe to say we, based on the conversations I've had with my neighbors in Brampton Hills) are extremely disappointed by the latest plan for redistricting our neighborhoods into District 1," wrote David and Pam Cureton. "The latest plan is not logical." 

Down the road, are also upset with the redistricting process.

"This is truly an example of taxation without representation," said Greater Elkridge Community Association president Howard Johnson in an email to members on March 4. "Testimony...is being brushed aside by some of our council members."