Auburn council debates racial makeup

Tuesday’s Auburn council meeting ended in raised voices after Ward 1 council member Arthur L. Dowdell brought up the subject of the council’s racial makeup. Dowdell suggested the city look at shrinking its nine-member council and finding a way to bring on another black member after the 2010 federal census.

By: Katie Stallcup Staff writer | OANow.com
Published: May 20, 2009

Katie Stallcup
Staff writer
Tuesday’s Auburn council meeting ended in raised voices after Ward 1 council member Arthur L. Dowdell brought up the subject of the council’s racial makeup.
Dowdell suggested the city look at shrinking its nine-member council and finding a way to bring on another black member after the 2010 federal census. Dowdell, currently the only black council member, said his representation on the council was smaller than the percent of black Auburn residents. Without college students, the black population would be 20 to 30 percent, he said.
“Right now, we got taxation without representation,” he said.
Dowdell said he had an attorney looking into the situation.
“We know that it’s either going to be solved at the negotiating table or it’s going to be solved in the courts,” he said. “But I don’t want it to be solved in the courts.”
Mayor Pro Tem Dick Phelan said he strongly disagreed with Dowdell’s implications.
“I think this is a very fair city council,” Phelan said. “I don’t know of one issue where race came into, at least, my vote, and I don’t believe any other city councilperson’s vote. And if you go by that rationale, then there ought to be four women on this city council.”
Currently, Ward 2 representative Sheila Eckman is the sole female council member.
Ward 7 representative Gene Dulaney asked if Dowdell’s issue was with the number of council seats or with the council’s makeup. Dowdell said it was with the makeup.
“What you’re saying is because I’m white, I can’t represent the best interests of a black citizen?” Ward 8 representative Bob Norman asked.
“No, I’m not saying that,” Dowdell said.
“It sounds like it,” Norman said.
Ward 5 council member Robin Kelley said he thought Dowdell was “dead wrong.”
“Anybody can run in any ward who happens to be African-American,” Kelley said.
City Manager Charlie Duggan said it was usually a year or more after a completed census before data was released. Within six months of receiving the data, the city manager has to present a plan for redistricting.
“We’ve got a long time to think about it,” Eckman said.
Mayor Bill Ham and Ward 3 council member Tom Worden were absent from the meeting.
SCHOOL BOARD APPOINTMENT
The council appointed PakMail owner Tracie West to fill the
position on the board of education recently vacated by Dr. Anne Penney.