Ohio Redistricting Commission Announces Location Change for Toledo Public Hearing
August 24, 2021
Vernon Sykes News
Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), who serves as co-chair of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, announced that the regional public hearing scheduled for Thursday, August 26 from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. in Toledo will now take place in the McMaster Center at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library’s Main Branch. The library is located at 325 N. Michigan St. in downtown Toledo.
“While we understand that this change is happening at the last minute, we believe having a more spacious and accessible location will allow more people to attend,” Sykes said. “I’m pleased by the turnout we’ve had so far at the regional public hearings, and I’m encouraged by the number of Ohioans who are participating in the redistricting process. I look forward to hearing more input from the public throughout the rest of the week.”
The hearing was originally scheduled to take place at the University of Toledo’s Libbey Hall. However, the library’s McMaster Center can seat more than double the attendees, and ample free parking is available in the garage underneath the library. The garage is accessible from Adams St.
“I urged the Redistricting Commission to move the location to the public library because I was concerned that University of Toledo’s Libby Hall would not accommodate the number of people attending the hearing, while providing enough room to maintain a safe social distance,” Fedor said. “I believe this location will be more accessible for those who wish to attend, and I am grateful that the library was willing to host this meeting.”
The meeting in Toledo is part of the Redistricting Commission’s week-long series of regional public hearings, which allow Ohioans to share their thoughts on the future of the state’s legislative districts. The Commission’s primary responsibility is to draw legislative maps, so Ohioans who wish to testify during the public hearings are asked to limit their comments to the adoption of Ohio House and Ohio Senate districts.
All public hearings will be live-streamed by the Ohio Channel, and all live and archived videos will be accessible through the Redistricting Commission website. Information about when and where the hearings will be held can be found at www.redistricting.ohio.gov/meetings.
“While we understand that this change is happening at the last minute, we believe having a more spacious and accessible location will allow more people to attend,” Sykes said. “I’m pleased by the turnout we’ve had so far at the regional public hearings, and I’m encouraged by the number of Ohioans who are participating in the redistricting process. I look forward to hearing more input from the public throughout the rest of the week.”
The hearing was originally scheduled to take place at the University of Toledo’s Libbey Hall. However, the library’s McMaster Center can seat more than double the attendees, and ample free parking is available in the garage underneath the library. The garage is accessible from Adams St.
“I urged the Redistricting Commission to move the location to the public library because I was concerned that University of Toledo’s Libby Hall would not accommodate the number of people attending the hearing, while providing enough room to maintain a safe social distance,” Fedor said. “I believe this location will be more accessible for those who wish to attend, and I am grateful that the library was willing to host this meeting.”
The meeting in Toledo is part of the Redistricting Commission’s week-long series of regional public hearings, which allow Ohioans to share their thoughts on the future of the state’s legislative districts. The Commission’s primary responsibility is to draw legislative maps, so Ohioans who wish to testify during the public hearings are asked to limit their comments to the adoption of Ohio House and Ohio Senate districts.
All public hearings will be live-streamed by the Ohio Channel, and all live and archived videos will be accessible through the Redistricting Commission website. Information about when and where the hearings will be held can be found at www.redistricting.ohio.gov/meetings.