TUSTEN — Sullivan County Legislators Nadia Rajsz of District 2 and George Conklin of District 5 appeared before the Tusten Town Board on Wednesday, July 13, to voice their opinions on the three map-based redistricting options being voted on in the coming weeks.

Both Rajsz and Conklin ultimately professed their dissenting opinions on the first map option, dubbed ‘map number one’, which if selected, would split up the Town of Tusten into separate districts. The other two map options, dubbed map two and map three, were a point for discussion but neither Rajsz or Conklin expressed explicit support for either. Maps two and three would leave Tusten in one district.

As the Democrat has reported previously, the three maps were created by Dave Heller of Main Street Communications, the same company the county has used to create redistricting maps in the past.

Rajsz asked for a show of hands from meeting attendees if they supported splitting the town up with map one, to which none were raised.

Rajsz said that although she would be happy to represent the people of Tusten if a part of the town came under her jurisdiction, there would be no benefit to the residents in Tusten should the town be split up between separate districts.

Rajsz also noted that she hoped for further communications with Heller to discuss and understand the “reasoning” and “rationale” that was considered when drawing the various districts in the three maps provided.

Initially, Conklin noted his indifference towards either of the three maps, but declared he was not too fond of map one. However, he also noted that although he said he was indifferent, he said what truly matters is what the residents of Tusten want. Later, he stated for the record his opposition to map one entirely.

The legislators did not explicitly say which of the other two maps they favored over the other. The Legislature will hold a public hearing on the maps in the near future, prior to their vote.

Councilwoman Jane Luchsinger stated that she hopes for the legislators to vote on the maps with the town’s wishes in mind.

In response to that which transpired, the Town Board unanimously voted to draft a formal letter addressing their disapproval of map one.

A public hearing is to be held some time in August should any residents wish to have their opinion on the three maps heard.

Conservation advisory council incoming

The Tusten Town Board introduced their local law number two of 2022, in the hopes of reestablishing a conservation advisory council in the near future.

Genius Loci Planning consultant Peter Manning assisted in introducing the local legislation. He stated that the purpose for the council being formed is to have a designated advisory council for the town that looks at the municipality's natural resources and options for open space planning.

The local law was drafted in June and according to Manning, other municipalities were used as an example in the construction of the legislation. Manning also told the Board that the town once retained a similar council in 2011.

“With this action, you [the Town Board] are creating a group that is going to look after and consider the town’s environmental resources…[which] presumably over time improves the environmental conditions in the town,” Manning said.

The Board unanimously voted to accept the introduction, and a public hearing to be held at 6:30 pm on August 6 at the Tusten Town Hall has been set for the next step in the progression of the local law.