Five Reasons for Cortland Common Council to Approve Seven Voting Districts Plus One At-Large

     On the subject of redistricting, here are five reasons for Cortland's Common Council to approve seven voting districts plus one at-large, in a city where pro-government Democrats are a clear majority of voters.

     1) Retaining eight elected legislative offices avoids unpleasant internecine disputes, back-stabbing and bloodshed. Eight actually feels safer if you are an incumbent and plan to keep your job, and sanity. Primaries are reserved for those who disagree with the party boss.
     2) There is strength and wisdom in numbers. Listen to the crows in the city. Look at Congress.
     3) Eight will ensure the continued use of all eight Motorola tablets and conference room chairs assigned to alderpersons.
     4) Eight elected offices will cost more than seven, and voters will appreciate the higher costs. Voters trust featherbedding motives.
     5) Eight may piss off landlords, county legislators, election commissioners, Cortland Contrarian and Cortland Standard editors. That makes eight worthwhile.