Letter from Michael Hoffmann dated 8-20-14 8/20/14
Members of the CRC,
I have been unable to attend most meetings of the CRC, but I have been reading the
minutes and would like to make a few comments.
First, I have been a long-time advocate of single-member districts. As I told the CRC at
an earlier meeting, which is reflected in the minutes, I supported the compromise that
came out of the earlier citizens review committee that recommended a residency
requirement. This left intact at-large elections.
My support was based on two things: the natural tendency on the part of the majority in
AB to be opposed to change, and my belief that the main problem with at-large elections
-- even with a residency requirement—would be made clear in the elections to follow.
The main problem, Commissioners who fail to win a majority in their own at-large
district, asserted itself immediately. My own Commissioner has been holding a seat for
two terms without winning a majority of the votes in the district where he resides—even
when he ran as an incumbent.
Vote dilution is the description for what occurs in my district, that is, the votes from
outside our district have determined the Commissioner not the voters within the district.
It cannot be said that we have representation as a consequence of elections as long as at-
large elections are the law.
Second, I support a two-year term for the Mayor. Electing a Mayor to office every two
years by an at-large election means the Mayor is closer to the concerns of the present
majority. If AB were to have four single-member districts, the Mayor would function as
the tie-breaker.
Third,the idea of adding three more at-large seats will have the effect of continuing the
practice of vote dilution, and it will have a negative effect on voters from the west side of
AB who will always be out-voted as long as city elections are held in off years and
during general elections.
Fourth, I favor a referendum before city property can be sold or re-purposed. This is
especially important as vote dilution continues.
Michael Hoffmann
176 Camelia St.
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
246-9370