Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush has renewed his support to have a New York State Legislative Taskforce on Redistricting and Reapportionment (LATFOR) hearing to be held in the North Country.

With the 2000 U.S. Census have come new figures for determining how many legislative districts New York and other states should have, and since the state lost population, redrawing district lines will be necessary, and hearings are being held on the matter.

The closest hearing to northern New York so far was held in July in Syracuse.

“All too often the North Country is ignored by Albany politicians and it is troubling to me that local residents and community officials would not be given the opportunity to discuss redistricting,” Blankenbush said.

“Our region is unique and distinct from other areas in that we have an extensive international land/water border, a rural agriculture based economy, and the Adirondack Mountains. To not allow the people of this area to address LATFOR directly is simply unfair.”

In March, the assemblyman co-sponsored legislation he said would bring fair redistricting to the state. This legislation includes a measure to require a hearing be held in the North Country.

Last month, Assemblyman Blankenbush traveled to Syracuse to testify at the Central New York LATFOR hearing, making the case to keep the 23rd Congressional District intact. While the assemblyman said he was glad to have the opportunity to address LATFOR, he noted that he was the only person from outside Central New York to speak at the hearing.

“The Syracuse hearing focused mainly on keeping all of Onondaga County within the 25th Congressional District. Other than me, no one else spoke of the North Country or any areas north of the Thruway.”

Other North Country Assembly members have joined Blankenbush in calling for a Northern region hearing:

Blankenbush represents the 122nd Assembly District, which, in St. Lawrence County, includes all the townships along the St. Lawrence River plus Canton, Potsdam and Macomb.