Grosse Pointe Shores to Send Letter of Opposition to Governor

In hopes of influencing Gov. Rick Snyder before he signs redrawn maps into law, is sending a letter opposing the . 

The redrawn maps—as passed by both the state Senate and House—call for the current district representing the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods to be divided into two districts. Each new district would include more of Detroit. 

Having two districts for the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods is of concern to many political leaders, including current House Rep. Tim Bledsoe, who voted against the redrawn maps. 

Bledsoe said the concern is that the Pointes may essentially lose representation under the proposed districts—meaning the Pointes and Harper Woods would not have a legislative voice.

The Shores council unanimously voted to send a letter to Snyder opposing the split districts with hopes of influencing him. A bill with the redrawn maps is awaiting Snyder's signature.

Bledsoe's legislative assistant Donald Wasserman said the bill must be introduced to the Governor before he is able to sign it—a process that is likely to take a couple of days because of the extensive nature of the bill.

The bill calls for the Pointes and Harper Woods to remain as one district for the state Senate and for the U.S. Congress but divides it for the state House. Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Shores and Harper Woods would be in one district with a section of Detroit. Grosse Pointe Farms, the City of Grosse Pointe and Grosse Pointe Park would be another district with a section of Detroit.

Leading up the Shores decision this week, Bledsoe, Chair of the Eastside Republican Club Jenny Nolan and President of the Grosse Pointe Democratic Club Gary Bresnehan, requesting that the governor veto the bill and request officials to start over on the map.

Bledsoe has also that he plans to forward to Snyder.

Representatives from all of the Grosse Pointes meet regularly to discuss community issues. The Shores action this week is a result of discussion at one of those meetings, according to the proposal for the resolution. Those in attendance voiced concern about the potentially negative impact split districts would have upon the community as a whole. 

The proposal also states there was discussion about fighting the split districts legally if Snyder signs the bill into law.