Politics & Government

Former Ward 4 Councilman Calls Redistricting "Politically Charged"

Michael Stanek called creation of new map distasteful

Former Ward 4 Councilman Mike Stanek is saying the way city council handled was politically charged. He expressed a “personal distaste” for the process that resulted in a map selection that would allow the current former councilman, to retain his seat instead of using a map blindly drawn to account for household counts.

On July 11, Avon Lake City Council approved one of two redistricting options that would , who under the first map would be placed into Ward 3 and rendered ineligible to serve after six months, to remain in Ward 4. 

Stanek lost a bid to retain the Ward 4 seat in 2007 to Kos, and was then appointed to an at-large seat. He opted not to seek re-election for the at-large seat. 

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Several said the selected the option to prevent a ward from having to have appointed—as opposed to elected—representation.

Stanek forwarded an email to Council President Greg Zilka prior to a meeting July 9 to discuss redistricting options. (Click here to see the email in its entirety.)

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“Having ward lines drawn blindly by an individual who possessed the household counts necessary to perform the task was perfect,” Stanek wrote in his letter. “This contrasted sharply with the politically charged redistricting that takes place at the state level and within many cities, particularly large cities. The political posturing and horse trading that takes place within those governmental districts is part of what gives many, if not most, citizens a horrible distaste for ‘politics.’ No, Avon Lake was above that, having done a blind redrawing that dutifully met all the requirements for equal wards.”

Stanek continued that had a current member of council not been affected, a second option would not have been created.

“But now, for this one reason only, council is considering gerrymandering the new wards so as to protect a sitting member of council,” Stanek wrote. “I find the reconsideration of the original redisctricting plan on this basis both distasteful and offensive.”

Stanek added that council was attempting to project the winner of the November election and noted a neighbor of his is considering  run for the Ward 4 council seat.

“Should she decide to run for the seat, the alternate plan for a gerrymandered ward would put her in the exact same position which council is purportedly looking to avoid: she would be redistricted into ward 3 and have to give up her seat after six months,” Stanek wrote.  “The answer to the question of whether or not it is just to purposely choose to burden one person over another is obvious.”

Stanek comments on Monday’s decision

Following council’s Monday decision, Stanek wanted to assure council and the public that his disagreement with council’s actions were not a personal attack on Kos.

Commenting on July 10, Stanek said he felt the new plan was put forward was manipulated to meet a pre-determined objective.

“Again, this is how it appears from the outside, and I think as a friend it is important that I share that with you not in an accusatory fashion,” Stanek said in a letter to council members. “From the perspective of those not directly involved in the process it looks like ‘backroom politics.’”


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