To the Editor:
Redistricting has been tumultuous this time around, but the latest iteration of New York State Assembly maps could be a worst-case scenario for the town of Guilderland. Historically, Guilderland has been included in an urban/suburban district with the city of Albany and other suburban towns like Colonie and Niskayuna.

The latest drawing of the Assembly maps would put Guilderland with ultra-conservative, rural areas in Montgomery and Schoharie counties. What common interests and needs does Guilderland have with these counties?

The needs of these areas are so vastly different from Guilderland, whereas a district that encompasses the suburbs of Albany or a joint district of the city of Albany and Guilderland make more sense for residents of Guilderland.

Residents in the city of Albany, and the towns of Guilderland and Colonie share many of the same roads to get to and from work — like Route 20 and Route 155. We also share services like the CDTA and services provided through Albany County.

This draft map would make it harder for residents of Guilderland to have their needs and concerns heard by their Assembly representative as the town would become a small part of a very rural district.

Communities of interest need to be kept together and this map is ripping our town away from Albany County and our community. I think Guilderland should be kept whole and we need to be in a district that includes other parts of Albany County that share our concerns.

If you share these concerns, I hope you join me in voicing them with the Independent Redistricting Committee either in person or by submitting written concerns. To do so, find more information here: https://www.nyirc.gov/meetings#testify-in-person

Cassie Zieno

Vice Chair

Guilderland

Democratic Committee