GAINESVILLE—Minority leaders from the Latino and African-American communities of Gainesville met to form an alliance last week against Gainesville's at-large voting system, and that group staged an official protest at Tuesday night's Gainesville city council meeting.
"It just dilutes the power of my representation to represent me," said James Brooks, addressing the council during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Not everybody who took to the podium was against the system, however. Several residents voiced their opinions in favor of the at-large system.
"I like at-large voting because it reminds each and every one of you that you don't just represent a subdivision or community, you represent an entire city," Bill Johnson, who lives just outside the city limits of Gainesville, and is a member of the Hall County GOP Executive Committee.
Sheila Nicholas, Chairwoman of the Hall County Democratic Party, said she felt the system diluted minority voting.
"I strongly support the election of city council members by constituents in individual districts," said Nicholas.
Mayor Danny Dunagan read a statement on behalf of the council regarding their views of at-large voting.
"This process has served the citizens of Gainesville well. We believe it provides the best opportunity for all residents to be represented. In saying that, this council wants to do what's best for our community," said Dunagan.
Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of GALEO, said the city has been good to work with, but that doesn't mean they won't pursue litigation.
"If we were to bring litigation against the city, we would have to prove in court that there is a Latino-majority district in the city of Gainesville that we can draw to bring forth the lawsuit," said Gonzalez.
He said GALEO is working to register as many voters as possible to maximize that number.
Still, he says progress is happening, but slowly.
"I think it's a tremendous improvement from where we were a few years ago. The city is willing to listen once we reach the threshhold," said Gonzalez, adding that minority leaders are more than willing to work with city leaders to avoid sending the issue to the courts.
Hall County GOP Chairwoman Debra Pilgrim said her party welcomes debate from both sides, but she's worried that those pushing against the at-large system might create problems similar to the "seperate-but-equal" debates in the Civil Rights Era.
"My fear is that the proposal to eliminate at-large voting...is not for the purest of reasons," said Pilgrim.
Mayor Dunagan said the city's ears are always open.
"We continue to encourage all citizens to become involved in their government," said Dunagan.
