Miller: "I Can See Martinez From My House"

Congressman George Miller said Monday he was disappointed that the proposed redistricting lines by the California Redistricting Citizens Committee have removed much of Martinez from his representation, but he vowed to continue being visible in the community.

"The lines are moving. I'm not moving," he told Martinez Patch on Monday from Washington, D.C. "The last reapportionment took my mother out of my district. Now this one takes much of my home town out of my district. I'm very disappointed. But as Sarah Palin would say, 'I can see Martinez from my house.'"

The proposal for new congressional, state senate and assembly district lines all divide Martinez into two districts. The congressional district presently represented by Miller would change to include most of central Contra Costa, and a portion of Martinez near the Vine Hill area. Most of the area north of Highway Four would be included in a district that includes Solano, Napa, Sacramento and Mendocino counties, represented by moderate Democrat Mike Thompson.

Miller said that the lines are drawn, and doesn't hold out much hope that they can be changed at this point.

"There seems to be a pretty strong feeling that the maps are pretty much finalized," he said. "Most people feel the maps are pretty darn final. The city of Martinez made a pitch to stay connected, but the commission did otherwise."

A final vote on the new district lines is scheduled for August 15.