Who are the dems putting up

[Who are the dems putting]

I feel for you people in Islip who wants representative govt.

But you won't win a Town Board seat until you pass Council Districts like we did here in Brookhaven.

Keep going!

[Big Dem]

I don't understand, what's wrong with the at large system we have now? Why can't we find good at large candidates, and why will council districts help?

[Real Big Dem]

This is my name. We don't know if you're a GOP type or what. Please use a different one

-Big Dem

[Big Dem]

But I have used this name off and on for a long time on this board. I don't know who you are? I am the original Big Dem.

[Real Big Dem]

To be honest - I'm surprised a big Dem would not uinderstand the importance of councilmanic Districts, but glady you are open to asking.

Do you really want the name? If so I'll choose another.

[Big Dem]

Appreciate it.

What I don't understand about thew council districts is this:

It seems to me that it will insure a fractured council. Sure it may get a fellow dem elected, even two. But it seems the area is divided and we'll always have 2/2 3/1. I don't think it's the key to retaking the town. I think supporting good candidates is.

[Real Big Dem]

The necessity of direct representation goes beyond party politics. It mean there will be one point person who knows the ins and outs of their specific district in Islip. They will be held accountable by those voters for their community's specific needs. Councilmanic districts make for more responsive government.

The way it's set up now, council members may as well be playing musical chairs.

Finally, if you must have a political reason to back this, here's one: Even in areas that are heavily republican, the CDs will be so small candidates can LITERALLY walk door to door to campaign - that means if voters like the ideas of candidates they meet, they can defy party labels to go with the more responsive candidate.

Does that help us as Dems? Yes.

More importantly, does that mean that the more responsive candidate can have a better chance of being elected, be it a Dem or Rep?

The answer is a resounding YES and that is what's most important.

[Big Dem]

Agree on some points, most notably the need for proper representation transcends party. I would rather have a good active Republican, then a do nothing Democrat any day.

However, I don't think if you fracture Islip into four districts you will have any candidate going to every door of their district. And even if you do, they'll do it once - and then never again - not a compelling argument.

Secondly, Who will carve out the districts? I am sure it will be done, re-done, court challenged, and re-done again. Why waste time on that effort when time and money can be spent backing a plain old strong candidate?

Lastly, I do think the districts should go to a vote - I am however embarrassed by my fellow dems efforts to get it to a vote thus far. We're allowing ourselves to be hijacked by other interested parties and not getting the job done ourselves. If it passed, after a real and proper petition drive, I would support it.

[Real Big Dem]

I don't think the circumstance are there for a strong candidate without council districts.

The plan would not fracture Islip. Islip is made of communities with different needs and it would ensure direct, focused representation.

No, it doesn't have to be door-to-door all the time. But what's most important is that a climate is created where a council member CAN feasibly be present at most community events and serve as a pointman for their specific issues.

I'm not sure what you mean about the current campaign for council districts. The Dems and the other groups have a focused, through campaign. Islip Town Government/GOP (they're one in the same) have used underhanded loopholes and stalling tactics. So if the Dem effort seems aggressive, it is rightfully so.

Hope this helps

[Tell the Truth]

The democrats see this as the only way they can gain a seat on the town board. They could care less about the people who would wind up getting screwed. The people of Brentwood and Bayshore would suffer. You would have one Democrat on a totally republican board. The rest of the board members would not be accountable to these people. Do the words dumping ground mean anything to you?
As far as more representation that is BS. Go to any town republican function and you will see that these areas are well represented and not tken fior granted.
The problem is that for some reason the minority community feels that they are predisposed to be Democrats. If they were to research which party has been there for them the republican party would be their party of choice.
Lets break it down here. During an election for two council seats people can choose two out of four candidates, you can wind up with two republicans elected, or two democrats, or even one dem and one republican. With councilmatic districts you can just pick one. How is that more Democracy?
The real problem here is that the Democrats take our minority population for granted, they know if they get their minority district it will go democrat. They could care less that these people might wind up unrepresented. They only want to be able to say that they won another seat for the democrats. This is not a game we should be searching for good government that represents people. The Republicans have done a good job town wide and the dems know they can not win without these districts and the blind support of the minority community.
Anyone who reads this that is from the minority community I would say check out the republican party and you will find that you are not taken for granted and those minorities who are republicans find themselves in leadership rolls. Blind loyalty to the democrats is having a negative impact on your community, you are taken for granted, they do not have to take you seriously because you are a one party community and the dems do not have to do anything to keep you. An example would be how your community had to fight with the Levy administration to get the appointments of minorities in leadership roles in his administration.
Everyone has heard that education is the key to success. Well that goes for politics as well. By the way as an example of how republicans do not take the minority community for granted, look at Bush's cabinet, Minorities are apponted to the highest leadership roles than throughout history. Clarence Thomas sits on the Supreme, our new attorney general is hispanic, Colin Powell was secretary of state and will be replaced by Condalisa Rice. Time for the minority community to break free of the chains of the Democratic party. Talk about not being represented, stick with the democtats and things will not change.
On behalf of the Republican party I welcome you with open arms.

[Listen Up]

To Pam orher lacky who wrote this (and I know you'll deny it)

Just because you don't want to risk losing your seat, doesn't mean you should read into councilmanic districts the wrong way. RBG was talking about a fair democracy. you immediately jump to Brentwood/CI and start spouting thjinigs that were never an issue here. Chill out!

[Tell the Truth]

You make me laugh. These are the real issues and you know it. These are the facts behind the democrats push for councilmatic districts. You picked up the same communities in redistricting the legislature. The Dems want a minority district so the can rig it so they get a seat. the hell with the people that live there. Tell the truth. Councilmatic districts are in fact less democracy. Again you narrow your choices from 2 to one. What are the democrats so worried about you had a good candidate for county executive and he won. If you run a good candidate for town board and put the money behinf him/her you could win also. This is your attempt to ensure a medioca candidate can get elected to the town board as a democrat. How is this good for the people of Islip. You are not fooling anyone. The minority community should be outraged by how you are taking them fir granted and trying to use them in your twisted game.