There’s a petition drive underway in Lee County to change the way commissioners are elected. Right now Commissioners must live in the district they represent, but they are voted for in at large – or county-wide elections. The group sponsoring the petition drive wants to change that - narrowing the electorate only to the commissioner’s district. But there’s opposition .

The Lee County Commission delayed a vote Tuesday to adopt new district lines for county commission seats.  The decision came following a public hearing in which the NAACP said the proposed boundaries lines could dilute black representation.

The voting map reflects population changes shown in the 2010 census.  

The map keeps the communities of Estero, Bonita Springs and Ft. Myers Beach together, but divides the predominantly black community of Dunbar in the city of Ft. Myers.  

Past president of the Lee County Chapter of the NAACP, Carletha Griffin, disputed the potential impact of the new lines.

“If you’ve got a voice and you’re a registered voter and you want to do the right thing, you want them to treat like everybody else, then that’s what should be done,” she said.  “Everybody but the predominantly African American people get what they want.  I don’t understand that.  We need to get over that.”

Commissioners defended the map, saying most of Dunbar is contained within Ft. Myers city limits and that the African American community has political representation on the city council.

NAACP President James Muwakil turned his back on the commissioners when they defended the map, causing a stir in the chamber.    

Commissioner Tammy Hall moved to delay the vote because two commissioners, Brian Bigelow and Chairman Frank Mann, were not at the public hearing.    

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to make a decision on redistricting with only three commissioners here,” she said. “Commissioner Mann had asked us if there was any controversy on the maps that we delay, and I’d like to respect the chairman’s request that we do that.”

Commissioners Ray Judah and John Manning agreed and the vote was moved to Tuesday, Nov. 1. 

On Tuesday, members of Florida’s Youth Commission travelled to Tallahassee to meet with elected officials for what was billed as a “teens only” Town Hall. The meeting gave teens an opportunity to voice their concerns about issues related to young people. The delegation included one Fort Myers teen. WGCU’s Valarie Edwards has more.

After serving 14 years on the Sarasota County Commission, Shannon Staub is resigning mid-term. She leaves behind lots of questions like why, and who will fill her seat? Mia McCormick has more.

A political newcomer, a former City Councilwoman and a former State Representative are squaring off for the Republican nomination for State Senate District 27, which includes parts of Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, & Palm Beach Counties.  WGCU’s Mike Kiniry has more on the candidates and their positions…

Members of the Florida House are gearing up for a special session next month to get a better handle on the state’s recovery and response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Governor Charlie Crist has until Friday to approve or veto senate bill 6 - the teacher merit pay bill.  The governor says he’s receiving thousands of emails and calls daily from supporters and critics of the measure.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.

Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens announced his retirement this morning. Florida’s Republican Senator George Lemieux commended Stevens on his record of distinguished service – including 34 years on the high court.