Has the time come for a complete change in wards?
How would the folks in the 4th and 5th wards feel about being placed in part in the 3rd and 6th wards?
Youngstown council will discuss redistricting Monday
http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/jun/22/council-to-discuss-redistricting/ (http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/jun/22/council-to-discuss-redistricting/)
Past and current councils have failed to do their job when it comes to redistricting. This important facet of equal representation has been ignored for three decades already.
Redistrict according to geographical boundaries, not population size. I can see five, maybe six wards that make perfect sense. First ward, downtown area (basically everything inside the loop). Second ward, north side between Crab Creek and the Mahoning River. Third Ward, east side east of Crab Creek and the Mahoning. Fourth Ward, South side from the Mahoning west to Mill Creek. Fifth Ward, everything west of the Mahoning River and Mill Creek. Maybe it would be advantageous to split the south side into two wards with the dividing line being Market Street, making a total of 6. Each of these geographical areas are kind of mini communities within the city and share common concerns and face common problems.