Councilmania: Accusation that 48th Map Intentionally Pitches Russians Vs. Orthodox

The reported and believed author of the infamous Negro-hood letter that may have played a roll in the narrow defeat of an Orthodox Russian candidate, is out with a wild conspiracy that the reshaping of the 48th Councilmanic (my spell checker lightens up - yup, I have one.. - but Councilwoman Tish James and others are widely using this fitting term) district was with the intention to pitch Orthodox against Jews. A coalition between these two groups scares Speaker Quinn, Brooklyn Party Chairman Seddio among others,  his theory goes.

Flashback: A journalist and political consultant, who worked with Russian-American candidates for more than a decade once said of the Russians: “They work very hard and produce lots of votes, but the parties treat them like serfs.” I guess these 2 statements are reconcilable.

The 48th took in the brunt of the critic at last week's Redistricting Commission hearing, including from the current Councilman Mike Nelson (minute 8:00), who cited Storobin and Brook-Krasny as proof that a district doesn't have to be Super-Russian to elect a Russian candidate (could have used President Obama's election as President as well). Also, Flatbush Shomrim founder Chaim Deutch (1:20), who is believed to consider a council race, pointed to his work to establish patrols in other communities as an example of the benefits of a diverse community. 

The most entertaining part of the hearing, if you watch it, at 19:35. A sort of Rent is Damn Too High figure...

The conspiracy of pitching the two communities one against another isn't out of thin air. The coalition between the Russians and the Orthodox certainly caused anxiety in democratic circles after the elections of Bob Turner and David Storobin. Also, competition between the Orthodox and the Russians in redistricting was used by Gregory Davidzon (speaking at the hearing: minute 2:07) as an explanation why he dumped an Russian and supported Lew Fidler. It didn't prevented Storobin's victory, but the Republican party itself had probably did a better a job to end this coalition.

Also, I'm told by a source that there will be some adjustment in the 48th, adding some portions of the 45th, strengthening the Orthodox vote in it, though probably not as much as the most speakers would want.

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