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— Last time we talked about the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, we were examining a unified theory of the commission’s work put forward by KQED Sacramento reporter John Myers.

There’s been plenty of jumping up and down around Humboldt County lately, mostly occassioned by the fear that the nonpartisan commission, which is due to release draft maps on June 10, will join Humboldt County to Redding rather than Santa Rosa for the purposes of electing representatives to Congress and the state legislature. Last week the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors put aside differences and unanimously passed a resolution to beg the commission to keep us unified with our coastal brethren, rather than hitching us to conservative Redding.

Myers’ theory was that such letters are more or less pointless. The commission is going to be looking at one thing first and foremost: that is, compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act, which mandates that such districts be drawn in a way that doesn’t discriminate against minority voters.

If Myers is correct, then Humboldt County residents who favor coastal districts should start to panic about a new set of recommendations put forward by the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund. The MALDEF plan looks to increase Latino representation in the legislature and the House of Representatives, mostly in the Central Valley and the state’s urban areas. As a side effect, it links Humboldt to Redding for the purposes of the State Assembly and State Senate seats. (The First Congressional District currently held by Rep. Mike Thompson would remain largely unchanged.)

Since MALDEF is working within the framework of the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution, their work is bound to be taken more seriously than those who would vaguely define the North Coast as a “community of interest.” Is Redding lunatic Bruce Ross’ demented dream actually coming to pass?

— On Thursday there will be a public memorial for Sophia Pedreros Parker, the McKinleyville two-year-old who was killed in Trinity County a week and a half ago. Claudia Pedreros, the girl’s mother, is due to be arraigned for the girl’s murder in Weaverville tomorrow.

Robert Parker and his family invite you to a memorial gathering to celebrate the life of Sophia Grace Parker Pedreros.

Thursday, June 2nd, 6:00 pm

Campus Events Field at Humboldt State University (across from the Forestry Building off of 17th Street between B and Union). HSU has graciously waived parking permits and fees for the memorial so on campus parking is available.

Sophia was a loving, beautiful little girl who bright light to the world and happiness to her family – and all who knew her. Please come together with her family and friends to bless her life, honor her passing and to celebrate the fragile gift of life we all share. You are welcome to bring flowers, candles, cards and support for the family.

There has been a Sophia Grace Parker Pedreros Memorial Fund established in her honor at the Coast Central Credit Union to help the family during their time of loss.