Winder Oks new ward map

Consultant Ernie Graham at the council’s work session Monday presented an alternative map that would have relocated the ward boundary from the center of Center Street, where Hensey resides, to 3rd Avenue.

City attorney John Stell said that option also would have met the U.S. Justice Department’s legal requirements for redistricting.

However, a majority of the council voted in apparent defense of Graham’s integrity and rejected the alternative map requested by Morris.

Hensley said the new ward map might not apply to the 2011 municipal races anyway due to the additional public process required by law over the next month, followed by a Justice Department review that could take 60 days and bump into the candidate qualifying period for city candidates.

There will be a public hearing prior to the council’s second and final vote to adopt the 2011 ward map.