Wrangell Sentinel -

The redistricting plan for Alaska approved by the U.S. Department of Justice this month may move Petersburg and other Southeast communities into the district encompassing Juneau.

Representative Beth Kerttula and Senator Dennis Egan, both Democrats, would likely become the new legislators to the Petersburg area. Representative Peggy Wilson of Wrangell and Senator Bert Stedman of Sitka currently represent the region.

According to City Manager Steve Giesbrecht, it’s a move that is not popular with many in the city.

“I think the consensus among residents here is one of being concerned. We don’t have a lot in common with downtown Juneau,” Giesbrecht said. “It’s also economic. Juneau is a government and tourism center, while we are a fishing and resource management town. We may not get the same level of representation if the redistricting goes through.”

Mayor Al Dwyer said he and the city council would be pursuing the issue.

“We have not had a report from our city attorney yet regarding our options,” Dwyer said. “But, as long there is a shot at winning, we’ll continue to try to fight. It all depends on the report we get back.”

According to Giesbrecht, city attorney Tom Klinkner should be delivering that report in the coming month.

“We should hear something by the end of the month and then the council will make a decision on what to do,” Giesbrecht said.

If the council and Klinkner decide not to challenge the move, however, Giesbrecht said the city would adapt to the change.

“A lot depends on what we discover in the report. If we’re unsuccessful, we’ll have to move forward with our new representative.” Giesbrecht said.

At least three lawsuits are being pursued across the state – The city of Petersburg, the Fairbanks North Star Borough, and a case filed by two Fairbanks residents.

According to Taylor Bickford, executive director of the Alaska Redistricting Board, a hearing has been set for Jan. 9, 2012 to test the constitutionality of the plan.

Legislative redistricting occurs once each decade after the completion of the census.

Alaska’s population grew by more than 80,000 residents in the last 10 years with a population of 710,231. In the state’s planned 40 legislative districts, that equates to about 17,755 residents per district.