The Program: Sally Hartman introduced Brian Cannon, the Executive Director of One Virginia 2021: Virginians for Fair Redistricting. The focus of the presentation was to advocate for a fairer and bipartisan method of creating political districts in Virginia. Of course, bipartisanship consensus, according to P.J. O’Rourke, is when his doctor and his lawyer agree with his wife that he needs help. The current process has led to electoral dysfunction. Virginia is ranked as one of the most gerrymandered states in the country both on the congressional and state levels based on lack of compactness and contiguity of its districts. Virginia is ranked the 5th worst in the country. Throughout the Commonwealth, counties and cities are being broken in half or into multiple pieces to create heavily partisan districts. 

 

Forty-six localities are split in the Virginia Senate district maps and 59 localities divided in the House of Delegates’ maps. In 2013, 56 candidates in the House of Delegates faced no real competition in the general election, with 22 Democrats and 34 Republicans facing no major-party challenger. Of the remaining 44 races, only 19 were considered competitive to some degree. A competitive election means that the election is won by no more than a ten point spread. In the end, only two seats changed parties. In addition, the current process has essentially eliminated political moderates. Consequently, political bodies are not equipped to compromise and reach consensus. In addition, the split precincts cost Virginia an estimated $10,000,000 and confusion among the voters.

 

Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry may get the credit for being the first to use political maps as a tool to influence elections, but “gerrymandering” as the method has been coined, is believed to have originated in our Commonwealth much earlier. Brian Cannon pointed to Gov. Patrick Henry as the first example of political redistricting in the United States. In the 1780s Patrick Henry attempted to fix an election by creating a district to force Federalist James Madison to face Anti-Federalist James Monroe. The practice of gerrymandering has not changed much in the past 228 years. The most significant change is the technology used to draw the lines more ruthlessly and effectively, and the large amounts of money behind this subtle practice. The process creates an endless barrage of litigation that costs Virginia about $2,500,000 in legal expenses.

 

OneVirginia’s mission is to advocate for the adoption of an amendment to the Virginia Constitution that will establish an independent, impartial commission to apply a fair and transparent process in drawing political districts after the 2020 census. The General Assembly will sign the state and congressional maps into law in 2021.  

 

Brian Cannon invited questions from the Club. In lieu of a question, Shep Miller provided an observation. Since the political districts are not competitive, Shep noted that party nominations essentially determine the winner of the political campaign. The party nominations are controlled by a few hard core political activists. The result is that good candidates are not being nominated and injected into the political campaigns. 

 

Bob Heely led the Club through two favorite songs- the Four Way Test and Let There Be Peace on Earth.

 

Win Lewis came in peace with a homily on the Peace Prayer by St. Francis.

 

The Academy of International Studies at Rosemont, where peace is a constant topic, was the School of the Week.

 

Anthony Mia alerted everyone to Jule West’s illness and wished him a peaceful recovery.

 

Al Carmichael welcomed four guests: Homer Stinson, Mark Fickel, Ashley Molinar and Jessie Williams. All are prospective members.

 

Marty Raiss advised everyone of upcoming events. The St. Patrick Catholic School and the tour of NIT will require advance registration. A full list of the events and upcoming opportunities can be found at www.rotaryclubofnorfolk.org. Please review in the peace and quiet of your home.

 

Jim Kitz reviewed the upcoming service projects. Specifically mentioned were the Norfolk Botanical Garden Seasonal Project on October 22, 2016 and the Rotary Day for Foodbank at Farm Fresh Wards Corner on November 5, 2016. Also, Club Members that are volunteering for the Reach project will need to complete a background check. The results of the background checks will be read at future meetings.

 

Four individuals were on a ballot for membership: Maureen Grover, Joy Kossman, Dr. Bill Lehew, and Ashley Molinaro.  Breaking news! Four new members to be installed at future meetings

 

Lorna Cochrane provided an update on the plans for the Suds and Buds Fundraiser to be held on May 19, 2017 at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Lorna also announced that Healing Waters has been selected as the third partner in the Suds and Buds fundraiser.

 

World Polio Day is on October 24, 2016. The day celebrates Rotary’s campaign to eradicate polio from the world.

 

Jeff Wells paid for his return to Virginia, his first grand daughter and a ringing phone.

Chip Vogan celebrated a great experience with Rotarians in the Cotswolds, England during a recent make up meeting.

Dalton Dunbar paid happy bucks for Ted Baker’s help in securing his home during the recent storms.

Win Lewis paid a fine for missing an opportunity to pray for the Club and acquiring a new Nissan.

Dean Rogis paid a fine for the miracle of four consecutive wins for the Washington Redskins.

 

Jim Baker won the daily raffle of $16 dollars but drew the Ace of Hearts and missed winning the big pot of $698.