Who Is Drawing New Assembly District Lines?, By Jondi Gumz

COMMUNITY NEWS Who Is Drawing New Assembly District Lines?

By Jondi Gumz

Redistricting based on population in the 2020 census will determine the distribution of political power for the next decade.

State Assembly districts, State Senate districts, Congressional districts, county supervisorial districts are all affected.

Each district for every level of government is supposed to have a similar number of voters for fair representation.

Santa Cruz County is currently split into two Assembly districts, North County and South County.

One draft map posted by the California Redistricting Commission, Santa Cruz County was split into three Assembly districts, MontCoast, GatosBank, and BenSal.

On Nov. 10, the draft map was revised, with Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley in GatosCruz, Watsonville in Benito and Aptos in MontCoast – still split three ways.

To see draft maps and make comments, go to https://www.wedrawthelinesca. org/map_viewer

••• Timeline

On Sept. 22, the California Supreme Court directed the Commission to release first preliminary statewide maps no later than Nov. 15 and approve and certify final statewide maps to the Secretary of State by no later than Dec. 27.

The city of Scotts Valley is currently split into two county supervisorial districts.

Supervisor Zach Friend has proposed to unify the voters of Scotts Valley into one supervisor’s district.

To view proposals see http:// santacruzcounty.us/Redistricting2021/ MappingData/PreliminaryFinalMapsforRedistricting.aspx

County supervisors will discuss the options during the regular board meeting at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday.

A Santa Cruz County resident, Vincent Barabba of Capitola, who served twice as head of the Census Bureau, used to be on the commission. His term ended in 2020. •••

Who is drawing the lines now?

Isra Ahmad, San Jose, senior research evaluation specialist with Santa Clara County’s Division of Equity and Social Justice.

Linda Akutagawa, Huntington

Beach, president and CEO of Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics

Jane Andersen, Berkeley, registered civil and structural engineer in California since 1988

Alicia Fernandez, Clarksburg, senior special agent supervising a team of special agents that conduct internal affairs investigations

Neal Fornaciari, Tracy, researcher and manager at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore for 27 years until retiring in 2017

J. Ray Kennedy, Morongo Valley, has worked in international electoral assistance since 1990

Antonio Le Mons, Studio City, chief operating officer at Skid Row Housing Trust

Sara Sadhwani, La Canada Flintridge, assistant professor of politics at Pomona College specializing in American politics, racial and ethnic politics, and public policy.

Patricia Sinay, Encinitas, founder of Community Investment Strategies, consulting firm connecting nonprofits, corporations, government agencies, and foundations’ passions to action

Derric Taylor, Los Angeles, investigator with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Pedro Toledo, Petaluma, chief administrative officer of Petaluma Health Center

Trena Turner, Stockton, executive director at Faith in the Valley

Angela Vasquez, Los Angeles, policy director at The Children’s Partnership

Russell Yee, Alameda, college and seiminary teacher; author of Worship on the Way (2012), exploring worship in Asian and Southeast Asian North American churches. n

“Memory Loss” from page 16

They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately.

Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.

5) Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.

For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. This may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading.

They may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving.

6) New problems with words or speaking.

People living with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation.

They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves.

They may struggle with vocabulary, have trouble naming a familiar object or use the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”).

7) Misplacing things and losing the ability to replace steps.

A person living with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places.

They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again.

He or she may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.

8) Decreased or poor judgment.

Individuals may experience changes in judgment or decision-making.

For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

9) Withdrawal from work or social activities.

A person living with Alzheimer’s disease may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation.

As a result, he or she may withdraw from hobbies, social activities or other engagements. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity.

10) Changes in mood or personality.

Individuals living with Alzheimer’s may experience mood and personality changes.

They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, with friends or when out of their comfort zone. n •••

If you notice any of these symptoms in your loved one this holiday season, don’t ignore them.

Schedule an appointment with his/her doctor. With early detection, your family member can explore treatments that may provide some relief of symptoms and help him/her maintain a level of independence longer, as well as increase the chances of participating in dementia clinical drug trials.

The Alzheimer’s Association is here to help. Call our 24/7 helpline at (800) 272-3900 or go to alz.org/norcal.