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Dear Friends and Second District Residents,
As 2021 winds down and my year as Chair of the Board is coming to an end, there are a couple of key items that we are working on. Hopefully you have heard of the Redistricting efforts of the Federal, State and Local districts that are in process. Every 10 years, following the Census, we review the boundaries and redraw the districts with specific criteria in mind. The top criteria is equal population spread throughout the districts. For the first time in California’s history, we are losing a congressional seat.
In accordance with the California Election Code Section 21500, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors adjusts the boundaries of any or all of the county supervisorial districts so that the districts shall be as nearly equal in population, and comply with applicable provisions of Section 1973 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended. Riverside County has encouraged community input, finding it extremely important to the redistricting process. We have had hundreds of individuals and groups sending written correspondence and verbal testimony. There have been over 150 different maps and variations that have been reviewed and the remaining semi-final maps will be brought to the Board meeting on December 7. The final map must be approved no later than December 15. The County Redistricting efforts and maps may be found at https://rivco.org/about-county/county-boards-committees-and-commissions/county-redistricting-efforts.
Recently, you may have seen or heard about an ABC News special which aired featuring the Turpin children from Perris, who were held captive and subjected to abuse at the hands of their parents. I was shocked and horrified when I learned about the allegations of failures in the protective system put in place to care for the Turpins, and have taken immediate action. The Board of Supervisors was first informed about the allegations in late October 2021, after the special was planned and interviews of the children had been completed (July 2021). The Board is dedicated to a thorough and independent investigation and we will get to the bottom this. If there was any wrongdoing involving the care of the Turpin children, we will ensure they receive justice. We are limited on what information we can provide as we must keep many of the details confidential out of respect for the children and legal privacy protections. Once we have the results of the investigation, the Board of Supervisors are prepared to take immediate and decisive action based on the findings.
And finally, we enter into the Holiday Season with many traditions, events and opportunities. The season is more than just opening a pile of well-wrapped presents under the tree or lighting the menorah. Those few weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's pass by in one big, festive blur. Most families have holiday traditions, regardless of what holiday you are celebrating. These traditions are an important part to building a strong bond between family, and our community. They give us a sense of belonging and a way to express what is important to us. They connect us to our history and help us celebrate generations.
Not every family is lucky enough to have traditions that have been passed down. That gives you the freedom to start creating your own! There are so many in our community that don’t have friends and family or the ability to share gifts and foods. Start a family tradition of helping others. There are simple ways to help those in need during the holidays. A single act of generosity can create positive change that children need right now. Once you get started making traditions during the holidays you can start branching out to make new traditions throughout the year.
Warm thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday, and for health and happiness throughout the coming year.
The Riverside County Second District Supervisor’s office Staff are available Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to assist you. You can reach my office by calling (951) 955-1020 or by emailing District2@rivco.org and staff will assist you promptly.
I encourage you to stay connected by joining District 2 on Facebook @SupervisorKarenSpiegel or Twitter @SupKarenSpiegel and Instagram @SupervisorKarenSpiegel
I hope you enjoy this e-newsletter. Please reach out to my office if we may be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Board Chair Karen Spiegel
Second District Supervisor
Riverside County Redistricting FAQs
What is Redistricting?
Redistricting is the process of redrawing districts for each government body that uses district elections, including the U.S. House of Representatives, State Legislatures, County Boards of Supervisors, City Councils, School Boards, and Special Districts (e.g., water or sewer districts).
Every 10 years, after the U.S. Census, districts are redrawn to ensure that each local, state and federal lawmaker represents about the same number of people.
Redistricting in Riverside County:
In Riverside, the Board of Supervisors is responsible for deciding supervisorial districts. Redistricting is done using U.S. Census data, which was released mid-August 2021. For the County of Riverside, the redistricting process must be completed by December 15, 2021.
What criteria will our Board of Supervisors use when drawing district lines?
To the extent practicable, district lines will be adopted using the following criteria:
- Equal population
- Federal and state law, including the Voting Rights Act
- Geographic continuity
- Preserve communities of interest
- Respect geographic integrity
- Boundaries shall be easily identified by residents
- Geographic compactness
To read more, click HERE.
Here are the current Active Recommended Draft Maps:
1. EOTC MAP F click HERE
2. EOTC MAP H click HERE
3. COMMUNITY MAP 1.4 click HERE
Why does redistricting matter to me?
The 2020 Census data for Riverside County shows population shifts creating an unequal representation within the county’s current 2011 supervisorial districts. Redistricting involves the adjustment of boundaries that may be necessary to maintain a substantially equal population between districts.
Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped together into a district for purposes of electing a board member.
You have an opportunity to share with the Board of Supervisors how you think district boundaries should be drawn to best represent your community.
Community members can submit feedback online, including suggested district lines, to help inform Riverside County in creating the new districts.
Visit the online feedback tool HERE.
Where can I see maps of the proposed new district boundaries?
Click HERE to see draft redistricting maps with citizen voting age population (CVAP) data.
When is the next redistricting public hearing?
The upcoming public hearings will be held during the regularly scheduled board meetings on:
Where: County Administrative Center, Board Chambers 4080 Lemon Street, 1st Floor Riverside, CA 92501
Time: 9:30 a.m. (subject to board agenda)
To watch the public hearing live, visit www.RivCoTV.org.
FARMERS MARKETS IN THE AREA
As the summer season heats up, so does the popularity of Farmers Markets. We are pleased to share the following information on Farmers Markets located throughout the Corona, Norco, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley and Riverside areas. Enjoy!
 Looking for some Friday night fun? Come and hang out at the Eastvale Farmers Market, every Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the New Day Christian Church: 7155 Hamner Ave., Eastvale CA 92880.
Fresh produce, farm fresh eggs, freshly baked bread, microgreens, farm fresh honey and MUCH MORE!! For more information or on how to become a vendor, please email: eastvalefarmersmarket@gmail.com
COMMUNITY EVENTS
HIGHGROVE MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (MAC) BOARD MEMBER POSITIONS - APPLY NOW!
Are you interested in what’s going on in the community of Highgrove? If you live within the unincorporated community of Highgrove, be sure to apply for two (2) Alternate Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) positions . Get to know your Sheriff Deputies, Code Enforcements Officers, School Board Members, Animal Control Specialists and more! Interested parties may apply online at www.rivcodistrict2.org under Boards-Committees & Commissions.
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