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787 <br />MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL <br />February 21, 1994 <br />The City Council of the City of Paris met in special session, Monday, <br />February 21, 1994, 6:00 P. M., City Hall, City Council Chambers, Paris, <br />Texas. Mayor George Fisher called the meeting to order with the <br />following Councilmembers present: Don Shelton, Jim Bell, Millie Ingram <br />McDonald, and John Bell. Councilman Rondie Williams, and Councilman <br />Wayne Brown were absent. Also present was City Manager, Michael E. <br />Malone, City Attorney, T. K. Haynes, and City Clerk, Mattie Cunningham. <br />City Manager Malone announced that the first item on the agenda was a <br />public hearing to receive comments concerning assessment of the City of <br />Paris single member district political boundaries for the purpose of <br />reapportionment. <br />Mayor Fisher declared the public hearing open and asked for those who <br />wished to speak on this matter to come forward. <br />Raymond Armstrong, 645 S. E. 27th, spoke for the general idea and <br />purpose of reapportioning these districts that they might be fair. Mr. <br />Armstrong said he lives in a district that does not have full <br />representation simply because of the numbers, that he serves on a <br />School Board which is exactly the same when the district were made, the <br />growth has been very extensive in these area; and the only thing that <br />he was asking is that we be fair in the new setting of districts. Mr. <br />Armstrong said he did not have any problems with making sure that <br />minority community is represented, we have a. responsibility in this <br />community to be sure that our minority citizens have representation <br />along with the rest of the city. There should be a fairness in the <br />setting of those districts, hoped that some day there would be one <br />polling place for the County, City and Schools, and Mr. Armstrong said <br />he was going to commit himself to help bring about a fairness in the <br />redistricting of the school districts. <br />Gary O'Connor, 4505 Choctaw Lane, was present telling the Council that <br />he was concerned about the fairness and equity in representation as <br />proposed redistricting would bring about, and what he would be in favor <br />of is not a seven member district as we now have with one district that <br />is clearly black, and one that is approximately 50% black, but a nine <br />member district which would allow for more than likely for two <br />predominately black district, and would also for an equal <br />representation on a per capita basis for all the other residents of the <br />city. Mr. O'Connor said this would involve amending the City Charter, <br />and so be it, there are probably some other aspects of the Charter <br />which could be revised. Another issued that concerned Mr. O'Connor was <br />if there is no redistricting there will certainly be a court battle <br />which will cost the City of Paris a considerable amount of money, and <br />this money should go toward needed improvements in the City instead of <br />going to attorneys. <br />Ralph Rodgers, 525 E. Cherry Street, appeared before the Council <br />stating that he was a member of District No. 1, and it is somewhat of a <br />misnulment to say that he was speaking against redistricting or <br />