Bellmore, Merrick Affected by Redistricting Vote

Tuesday's legislative vote to approve the redistricting in Nassau County will affect both Bellmore and Merrick.

Nassau Republicans pushed forward with their plan to redistrict the county, passing an amended map that Democrats say is clear gerrymandering into law, 10-8.

The amended redistricting puts all of South Bellmore and South Merrick into District 5, which is overseen by Legis. Joseph Scannell, D-Baldwin. The new district would also include parts of Baldwin, Baldwin Harbor and Freeport.

All of North Bellmore and North Merrick would fall into District 13, ran by Legis. Norma L. Gonsalves, R-East Meadow. The new district would also include East Meadow.

South Merrick, South Bellmore and most of North Bellmore is currently located in District 19, which is overseen by Legis. Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick. North Merrick is the only part of either community which will remain in its current district, along with a small portion of North Bellmore.

Democratic leaders, including Denenberg, were again unsatisfied with the voting and feel it is costing the taxpayers.

“The Republican leadership has taken partisan politics too far," Denenberg said. "The Bellmore and Merrick communities will be divided into two districts. Their decision to move the plan forward is illegal and costing taxpayers millions of dollars. As I’ve stated in the past, wasting taxpayers money is never acceptable.”

Republicans had tabled the proposed redistricting last week after a New York State Supreme Court judge issued a temporary restraining order on the process, but an appeals court judge stayed the order, allowing the legislature to move forward.