Georgetown, Del., Aug. 31, 2011: Sussex County government will give residents and property owners a little more time to comment on proposed County Council redistricting maps after Hurricane Irene forced evacuations and caused general disruptions across the region.

The public now has until noon Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, to submit comments through the County website or by mail on the proposed redistricting maps unveiled Aug. 23. Initially, the County offered the public a 10-day period to submit comments, through Sept. 2. County officials, however, are extending the deadline until Sept. 6, after the Labor Day weekend, to give the public a grace period in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

Copies of the proposed maps are available online by visiting the County’s website at sussexcountyde.gov and clicking on the ‘Draft County Council District Maps’ link on the right side of the main page. The public can submit comments by email to redistricting@sussexcountyde.gov, or by standard mail. Letters should be addressed to the Clerk of the Sussex County Council, PO Box 589, Georgetown, DE 19947.

County Attorney J. Everett Moore, Jr., will compile all of the comments submitted and deliver a report to County Council at its next meeting, set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Following that report, the proposed maps will be finalized and a formal ordinance written and introduced, and be subject to a public hearing later this fall. Notice of that meeting will be advertised in advance.

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