To the Editor,

The Robeson County NAACP in conjunction with the Community Redistricting Coalition is very concerned about the present process being adhered to by the county commissionaires concerning redistricting.

There have been different maps presented and altered since the presentation of the first map on Nov. 18, only one public hearing has occurred, that public hearing was on a different map and numbers, one that the public had not been made aware of.

The legal department of the State Conference NAACP and the Southern Coalition For Social Justice is aware of the above. The community and citizens of Robeson County is requesting transparency and fairness, the right to be allowed the opportunity to know exactly what changes taking place.

The Robeson County NAACP and the Community Redistricting Coalition emphasize a process by which we worked together in conjunction with the Southern Coalition For Social Justice to provide an alternate map that will pass legal muster.

We emphasize a multi-racial coalition of community members. Our goals were not to protect incumbents but to draw a fair plan, with every voter’s vote counting the same, respect for communities of interest, compact districts, and minimizing the splitting of precincts which will reduce confusion and long lines on election day.

The political agenda of some is not the law, nor is drawing boundaries to protect incumbents or to ensure the political agenda of those seated on the board.

On Monday, Dec. 5, a second public hearing is scheduled to be held on the map presented on November 28.

Renae Stackhouse

President

Robeson County NAACP